Ajis

Basic Information

Stock Code
4659
Industry
Service Industry
Category Detail
Professional Services for Businesses
Prefecture
Chiba Prefecture
Establishment Year
May 1978
Listing Year
November 1996
Official Website
https://www.ajis.jp/
TSE Information
TSE Information
Yahoo! Finance
Yahoo! Finance
Other Companies
Sanko Techno, Shinmanten Holdings, MURO, Ohashi Tech, Takayoshi Holdings

Overview

Ajis, founded in 1978, is Japan's first physical inventory agency company and holds a top-class domestic market share in outsourcing services for distribution and retail industries.

Current Situation

Ajis recorded consolidated sales of approximately ¥26 billion in the fiscal year ending March 2023. Centered in Japan, it provides on-site physical inventory services for distribution and retail in seven Asian countries, holding about 70% share in supermarkets and convenience stores. It offers efficient services using industry-first SKU inventory methods and proprietary self-developed inventory devices. The company is actively expanding through subsidiaries and overseas bases. In 2021, it launched a global service site to strengthen international development. It also focuses on environmental measures and sustainable business operations, addressing diverse customer needs through its group service site. It continues investments in technologies themed around digitalization and efficiency, with expectations for further expansion in the Asian market and strengthening of B2B areas in the medium to long term.

Trivia

Interesting Facts

  • The first company in Japan to provide physical inventory agency services.
  • Holds approximately 70% share in supermarkets and convenience stores.
  • Appears as an inventory specialty store model in Nintendo's game 'Momotarō Dentetsu'.
  • Provides services in seven Asian countries including South Korea.
  • Achieves business efficiency using self-developed inventory devices.
  • Owns 43 directly managed bases enabling nationwide coverage.
  • Has led the industry for over 40 years since founding.
  • In 2023, made Mitoriz Co., Ltd. a subsidiary to expand business areas.
  • Handles store support and logistics management in addition to physical inventory.
  • Head office located in Hanamigawa-ku, Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture.

Hidden Connections

  • The inventory specialty store model at Chiba Station in Momotarō Dentetsu is based on Ajis.
  • Behind-the-scenes company supporting inventory for many major domestic retail chains.
  • Self-developed inventory device technology receives high industry evaluation.
  • Subsidiary's research and consulting division supports product inventory data analysis.
  • Strengthened distribution service collaboration in Asia through overseas subsidiaries.
  • Also provides store operation support, contributing to overall retail industry efficiency.
  • Provides business efficiency solutions to address labor shortage issues.
  • Experience transitioning from Japan Securities Dealers Association to Tokyo Stock Exchange Standard Market.

Future Outlook

Growth Drivers

  • Expansion of logistics and inventory outsourcing demand in Asian markets.
  • Ongoing needs for business efficiency due to DX promotion in retail.
  • Differentiation through integration of self-developed devices and digital services.
  • Increase in outsourcing for labor shortage measures amid population decline.
  • Creation of new inventory needs accompanying e-commerce market growth.
  • Strengthening response to diversifying store operation services.

Strategic Goals

  • Achieve over 50% sales ratio in seven Asian countries.
  • Surpass 10,000 stores with introduction of proprietary IoT inventory devices.
  • Establish position as industry leader in B2B inventory and logistics services.
  • Achieve sustainability goals with 30% reduction in environmental impact.
  • Maintain over 90% customer satisfaction using digital platforms.

Business Segments

Physical Inventory Outsourcing

Overview
Provides specialized physical inventory agency and inventory management services for the retail industry.
Competitiveness
High-precision service backed by industry-leading share and extensive track record
Customers
  • Supermarkets
  • Convenience stores
  • Department stores
  • Chain stores
  • Logistics companies
Products
  • Physical Inventory Service
  • SKU Management Service
  • Inventory Data Analysis

Logistics and Warehouse Management Support

Overview
Suite of services supporting inventory accuracy improvement and efficiency in logistics sites.
Competitiveness
Improved accuracy and work efficiency through self-developed inventory devices
Customers
  • Logistics companies
  • Warehouse operators
  • Wholesalers
Products
  • Inventory Management Support
  • Inventory Device Rental
  • Logistics Efficiency Consulting

Store Operations Outsourcing

Overview
Supports store operations by handling necessary cleaning and product management.
Competitiveness
Nationwide network supporting multi-store expansion
Customers
  • Retail stores
  • Restaurants
  • Chain store operators
Products
  • Store Cleaning Agency
  • Product Display Agency
  • Kitchen Cleaning Service

Competitive Advantage

Strengths

  • Japan's first provider of physical inventory agency services
  • Approximately 70% share in domestic supermarkets and convenience stores
  • High-precision service using self-developed inventory devices
  • Wide-area network through operations in seven Asian countries
  • Reliability backed by extensive track record
  • Strong operational capabilities through directly managed bases and subsidiaries
  • Diverse lineup of store support services
  • Accumulated know-how and technological capabilities over many years

Competitive Advantages

  • Differentiation through high-precision SKU-unit inventory services
  • Domestic largest-scale outsourcing network
  • Broad service provision including store operation agency
  • New customer acquisition power through multi-country expansion in Asia
  • Achieves efficiency and accuracy improvement with self-developed devices
  • Secures continuous demand through strong customer base
  • Rapid service response through multi-base deployment
  • Specialized consulting capabilities in collaboration with subsidiaries

Threats

  • Price competition risk due to intensifying market competition
  • Possibility of customers shifting to in-house inventory due to DX promotion
  • Constraints on business expansion due to labor shortages
  • Decrease in demand from retail industry due to economic fluctuations
  • Entry barriers and increasing competitors in emerging markets
  • On-site work restrictions due to novel infectious diseases
  • Competitive disadvantage from delayed response to technological innovations
  • Increased operational costs due to strengthened regulations

Innovations

2023: Business expansion through acquisition of subsidiary Mitoriz

Overview
Expanded outsourcing service areas and developed new customer segments.
Impact
Achieved sales growth and service diversification

2021: Launch of Global Service Site

Overview
Launched integrated service site for overseas customers to strengthen international expansion.
Impact
Promoted acquisition of overseas projects

2020: Full-scale introduction of self-developed inventory devices

Overview
Deployed proprietary IoT inventory devices on-site for business efficiency.
Impact
Contributed to shorter inventory times and improved accuracy

2023: Launch of Group Service Site

Overview
Started new platform to strengthen customer contact and information dissemination.
Impact
Improved customer satisfaction and created order opportunities

2022: Advanced inventory data analysis service

Overview
Expanded data analysis services using big data and AI.
Impact
Improved accuracy of business improvement proposals for customers

Sustainability

  • Promoting digitalization from paper forms to reduce environmental impact
  • Strengthening employee health management in line with work-style reforms
  • Promoting material recycling to reduce waste
  • Participating in environmental protection activities in collaboration with local communities
  • Establishing education systems to create sustainable work environments