Linkers
Basic Information
- Stock Code
- 5131
- Industry
- Information and Communications
- Category Detail
- Systems & Software
- Prefecture
- Tokyo
- Establishment Year
- September 2011
- Listing Year
- October 2022
- Official Website
- https://corp.linkers.net/
- TSE Information
- TSE Information
- Yahoo! Finance
- Yahoo! Finance
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Overview
Linkers is an information and communications company founded in 2011, with strengths in business matching and the provision of business package software. It supports industry growth through specialized online platforms for the manufacturing sector.
Current Situation
Linkers achieved standalone net sales of approximately ¥1.4 billion and operating profit of approximately ¥65 million in the fiscal year ended July 2022. Its core businesses are business matching and research services for the manufacturing industry, with a focus on precise business reform support. Headquartered in Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, it operates with 79 employees providing specialized IT services. According to Nikkei data, it excels in the systems and software sector, particularly in package software development, demonstrating competitiveness across diverse business segments. Major shareholders include founder Yoshihiro Maeda and several investment funds, with a solid funding structure. It listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth Market in recent years and plans business expansion with support from capital markets. Moving forward, it aims for sustainable growth through the introduction of advanced technologies like AI and expansion of its customer base.
Trivia
Interesting Facts
- Emerging company listed on TSE Growth Market in 2022
- Launched and succeeded in specialized matching service shortly after founding
- Headquarters in Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, known as an IT company hub
- Leads software development for business efficiency with a lean elite team
- IT matching specialized for manufacturing is a rare service domestically
- Multiple major investment funds as shareholders
- 注目 on digital management case with Fukui Bank
- Strength in fusion of IT and manufacturing knowledge
- Composite deployment of business matching and research businesses
- Active investment in improving matching accuracy with AI
- Featured as a notable stock in emerging stock Growth Index
- Strengthened development structure with capital increase post-listing
- Also operates online communities for industries
- Fiscal year-end July, management adapted to seasonal fluctuations
- President Yoshihiro Maeda has extensive IT industry experience
Hidden Connections
- Forms ecosystem through partnerships with multiple manufacturing IT vendors
- Collaborates as partner for Fukui Bank's digital management support service
- Prominent venture capitals like JAFCO and SBI as major shareholders
- Many prominent systems and software industry companies among related stocks
- Actively participates in Tokyo IT startup networks
- Emerging IT company gaining attention from capital markets via TSE Growth listing
- Engages in technical exchanges with various industries for package software development
- Yoshihiro Maeda positioned as president and major shareholder at core of management
Future Outlook
Growth Drivers
- Increasing demand for digital transformation in manufacturing
- Expanding needs for business efficiency via AI and IoT technologies
- Promotion of software adoption through cloud service proliferation
- Market growth in IT introduction support for SMEs
- Increased matching demand from supply chain sophistication
- Tailwinds from government IT promotion policies
- IT utilization for sustainable manufacturing
- Growing interest in security and data management
- Growth opportunities from global expansion considerations
- Strengthened funding from investors
Strategic Goals
- Achieve market change to TSE Prime
- Scale expansion to net sales over ¥10 billion
- Proprietary development of advanced AI matching technology
- Launch services in overseas manufacturing markets
- Strengthen corporate activities considering sustainability
- Active recruitment and development of diverse talent
- Complete in-house development of cloud and platform technologies
- Maintain customer satisfaction over 90%
- Create new B2B service lines
- Become a top-class IT solution provider in the industry
Business Segments
Business Support for Manufacturing
- Overview
- Provides multifaceted IT solutions to support business efficiency and procurement reform in manufacturing.
- Competitiveness
- Specialized knowledge in manufacturing and matching network
- Customers
-
- SMEs and Mid-sized Manufacturers
- Parts Manufacturers
- Processors
- Machinery Manufacturers
- System Integrators
- Procurement Departments
- Production Management Staff
- Quality Management Staff
- Products
-
- Business Matching Platform
- Business Package Software
- Manufacturing Site Management Tools
- Procurement Research Services
- Production Scheduling System
- Quality Management Software
- ERP Integration Solutions
Research and Consulting
- Overview
- Provides specialized market research and analysis services for the manufacturing industry.
- Competitiveness
- Deep industry knowledge and meticulous research methods
- Customers
-
- Manufacturing Executives
- Procurement Consultants
- Market Research Firms
- Corporate Planning Departments
- Products
-
- Market Research Reports
- Customer Satisfaction Surveys
- Competitor Analysis
- New Business Research
IT Solution Development
- Overview
- Develops and provides proprietary IT solutions tailored to manufacturing needs.
- Competitiveness
- High technical capabilities and flexible customization
- Customers
-
- IT Vendors
- System Development Companies
- Manufacturing Customers
- Products
-
- Package Software Development
- API Integration Services
- Cloud Services
Competitive Advantage
Strengths
- Specialized platform for manufacturing
- Advanced matching technology and research capabilities
- Provision of diverse business support software
- Financial strength from TSE Growth listing
- Proactive stance on R&D and technology investment
- Representative's industry experience and network
- Customer-centric service design
- Extensive collaboration with partner companies
- Solid financial foundation
- Continuous improvement capabilities for services
Competitive Advantages
- Comprehensive IT services specialized for manufacturing
- Proprietary business matching platform development
- Added value from combining research and software
- Multifaceted service deployment aligned with market needs
- Customer acquisition through strong personal networks
- Competitive edge from fusion of IT technology and industry knowledge
- Agile management for rapid response
- Broad sales activities based in Tokyo
- Support from capital markets
- Reliability from over 10 years of track record since founding
Threats
- Accelerating technological innovation by competing IT firms
- Intensified competition from commoditized analysis tools
- Rapid changes in market needs
- Decline in demand from customer in-house development
- Economic fluctuations and investment restraint
- Increasing cybersecurity risks
- Challenges in talent acquisition
- Burden of responding to government regulations and legal changes
- Increase in new entrants
- Rising costs to address technology obsolescence
Innovations
2023: Introduction of AI Matching System for Manufacturing
- Overview
- Released a system using AI to improve optimal trading partner matching rates in manufacturing.
- Impact
- 20% improvement in matching success rate, enhanced production efficiency
2022: Development of Cloud-Based Procurement Management Software
- Overview
- Developed and launched cloud-compatible procurement and order management software for manufacturing.
- Impact
- Achieved customer cost reduction and business efficiency
2024: Acceleration of Digital Research Tools
- Overview
- Accelerated digital tools specialized in market research and customer analysis to shorten analysis time.
- Impact
- Improved customer satisfaction and repeat rate
2021: Enhancement of Smart Factory Integration Functions
- Overview
- Developed and expanded real-time monitoring of production site data through IoT integration.
- Impact
- 10% reduction in production downtime, quality improvement
Sustainability
- Promotion of paperless operations in-house (started 2022)
- Support for digital transformation of local SMEs
- Strengthening regional industry support through surplus resource utilization
- Promotion of environmentally considerate IT infrastructure
- Diversity promotion through hiring women and young engineers