Aqualine

Basic Information

Stock Code
6173
Industry
Services
Category Detail
Lifestyle Services
Prefecture
Hiroshima Prefecture
Establishment Year
November 1995
Listing Year
August 2015
Official Website
http://www.aqualine.jp/
TSE Information
TSE Information
Yahoo! Finance
Yahoo! Finance
Other Companies
ASJ, Collabos, Creema, Asante, CaSy

Overview

Aqualine is a service company founded in 1995 that operates nationwide in plumbing repairs and mineral water sales, providing rapid responses to water-related troubles.

Current Situation

Aqualine recorded consolidated sales of approximately ¥3.46 billion for the fiscal year ending February 2025, but operating profit, ordinary profit, and net profit all showed losses of about ¥390 million. The core business, the plumbing repair service 'Suido-ya Honpo,' offers 24/7/365 nationwide coverage, with ongoing efforts to boost recognition through TV commercials. However, it has faced past issues including business suspension for Specific Commercial Transactions Law violations and revelations of improper accounting, resulting in designation as a special attention stock by the Tokyo Stock Exchange and other management challenges. The company is focusing on strengthening its financial foundation and improving internal controls while working to restore customer trust. Going forward, compliance with laws and service quality enhancement will be central to its strategy, aiming for stable growth centered on the plumbing repair business. Post-scandal, it is committed to sustainable management and maximizing customer satisfaction.

Trivia

Interesting Facts

  • Nationwide 24/7/365 plumbing repair service.
  • Famous for the 'Suido-ya Honpo' brand known from TV CMs.
  • Designated as a special attention stock by the stock exchange due to improper accounting.
  • History of 9-month business suspension for door-to-door sales law violation.
  • Representative director changed to Tate Hirohisa in 2025.
  • 64 employees, mid-sized in the plumbing repair industry.
  • Head office and bases located in Hiroshima Prefecture and Yokohama City, Kanagawa.
  • Customer service efficiency improved via online systems.
  • Multiple repair service bases nationwide.
  • Also offers proprietary brand mineral water.
  • Customer consultation room manager also subject to administrative penalties.
  • Reconstructing internal management systems following past misconduct revelations.
  • Provides broad lifestyle services alongside related stocks.
  • Mainstay businesses include mineral water sales beyond plumbing troubles.
  • TV CM features 'Suido-ya Panda' as mascot character.

Hidden Connections

  • Japan Best Rescue System is one of the major shareholders.
  • 'Suido-ya Honpo' has gained regional penetration through TV CM deployments.
  • Numerous Specific Commercial Transactions Law violation cases reported, becoming a social issue.
  • Post-representative change, advancing business reconstruction and compliance strengthening.
  • Provides B2B services nationwide to housing-related companies and public facilities.
  • Bases in Hiroshima and Yokohama, balancing local attachment and wide-area services.
  • Received disgorgement order recommendation from the Securities and Exchange Surveillance Commission.
  • Mineral water business serves as a stable supplemental revenue source.

Future Outlook

Growth Drivers

  • Increasing repair demand from nationwide housing aging
  • Expansion of 24/7/365 emergency repair market
  • Promotion of online reservation and reception system utilization
  • Stable growth in mineral water market
  • Enhanced corporate value through compliance and governance strengthening
  • Revenue stabilization via long-term corporate client contracts
  • Service quality improvement and customer satisfaction enhancement
  • Promotion of environmentally friendly technologies and energy-saving methods
  • Strengthened services for depopulating regions
  • Brand recognition expansion through advertising and PR
  • Active use of digital marketing
  • Enriched in-house talent development programs

Strategic Goals

  • Complete establishment of compliance and internal management systems
  • Strengthening bases and service expansion in major cities nationwide
  • Maintain and improve customer satisfaction above 90%
  • Achieve ¥500 million annual sales in mineral water business
  • Introduce low-environmental-impact technologies across all services
  • Annual new customer acquisition rate increase of over 5%
  • 5% year-on-year increase in corporate service sales
  • Advancement of digital transformation
  • Expansion of community contributions and brand strengthening
  • Achieve over 20% ratio of female technicians

Business Segments

Repair Services for Housing-Related Companies

Overview
Provides plumbing repair and maintenance services tailored to housing-related companies.
Competitiveness
Rapid nationwide service response and technical expertise
Customers
  • Remodeling companies
  • Construction contractors
  • Real estate companies
  • Housing management companies
  • Condominium management associations
Products
  • Periodic water area maintenance
  • Emergency repair response
  • Piping construction support
  • Leak surveys
  • Water heater maintenance

Maintenance for Public and Commercial Facilities

Overview
Offers maintenance services for water facilities in public and commercial buildings.
Competitiveness
High customer trust and track record of ongoing contracts
Customers
  • Public entities
  • Commercial facility operators
  • Building management companies
  • Schools
  • Hospitals
Products
  • Water supply and drainage equipment inspections and repairs
  • Leak detection and repair
  • Emergency dispatch services
  • Water purification equipment maintenance

Sales Support for Water Delivery Companies

Overview
Provides operational support and product supply to mineral water sales companies.
Competitiveness
High-quality water sources and stable supply system
Customers
  • Water bottle distributors
  • Beverage manufacturers
  • Retailers
Products
  • Mineral water sales
  • Delivery support services
  • Customer management systems

Collaboration with Residential Equipment Manufacturers

Overview
Engages in joint ventures and technical support with residential equipment manufacturers.
Competitiveness
Accumulated repair technology and field experience
Customers
  • Faucet manufacturers
  • Water heater manufacturers
  • Piping materials manufacturers
Products
  • Parts supply
  • Joint development
  • Repair know-how provision

Competitive Advantage

Strengths

  • Nationwide 24/7/365 service network
  • Specialized technology focused on plumbing repairs
  • Expansion of proprietary brand water sales
  • Rapid customer response capability
  • Track record of ongoing contracts with corporate clients
  • Utilization of online and direct sales channels
  • Employees' specialized knowledge and experience
  • Provision of diverse service menus
  • Regionally rooted sales expansion
  • Abundant customer support track record
  • TV CM campaigns to enhance brand recognition
  • Stable supply system via multiple bases
  • Governance strengthening through board of auditors
  • Dual major bases in Hiroshima and Yokohama
  • Ongoing improvements to internal management systems

Competitive Advantages

  • Rapid service available nationwide 365 days a year
  • Specialized technical expertise in all plumbing areas
  • High recognition of proprietary brand 'Suido-ya Honpo'
  • Diversified customer touchpoints via multi-channel sales
  • Strong sales foundation in both corporate and individual markets
  • Advanced repair know-how and experienced staff
  • Quick response and emergency handling capabilities
  • Light-footed local services leveraging regional closeness
  • Expectations for trust recovery through strengthened compliance
  • Synergy effects from mineral water sales

Threats

  • Decline in corporate image due to past scandals
  • Intensified oversight from Specific Commercial Transactions Law violations
  • Competitors' service diversification and price competition
  • Lagging adoption of IT and automation in plumbing technology
  • Uncertainty in customer trust recovery
  • Risks from population decline and shrinking housing market
  • Increased operational costs from stricter regulations
  • Impact of infrastructure damage during disasters
  • Restrictions on advertising and CM deployments
  • Increasing market entry by small businesses
  • Risk of rising customer complaints
  • Decline in service demand during economic downturns

Innovations

2022: Fundamental Improvement of Internal Management Systems

Overview
Implemented audit enhancements and business process reforms in response to improper accounting issues.
Impact
Strengthened compliance and improved business transparency

2023: Introduction of Nationwide Online Reception System

Overview
Built a 24/7 reservation and consultation system to enhance customer convenience.
Impact
Improved customer satisfaction and order efficiency

2024: Adoption of Low-Environmental-Impact Plumbing Repair Technology

Overview
Began introducing reused parts to reduce waste materials.
Impact
Reduced environmental impact and costs

2021: Refresh of Mineral Water Sales Brand

Overview
Developed new products and updated packaging designs to target market expansion.
Impact
Increased sales and brand recognition

2023: AI-Powered Inquiry Response Efficiency System

Overview
Introduced automated customer Q&A system to streamline operations.
Impact
Shortened response times and improved customer satisfaction

2020: Introduction of Enhanced Service Quality Audit Program

Overview
Implemented strengthened training measures for field staff to improve service quality.
Impact
Stabilized customer satisfaction

2022: Update of Customer Management System

Overview
Improved integrated customer information management to enhance service delivery efficiency.
Impact
Sales support and strengthened customer relations

2024: Construction of Environmentally Considerate Delivery Network

Overview
Implemented fuel efficiency improvements for delivery vehicles and route optimization.
Impact
25% reduction in CO2 emissions

2023: Expansion of Online Sales Channels for New Services

Overview
Strengthened EC site and expanded direct sales channels.
Impact
Increased sales and improved market penetration

2021: Company-Wide Legal Compliance Training Program

Overview
Mandated corporate ethics and legal compliance training for all employees.
Impact
Prevented recurrence and strengthened governance

Sustainability

  • Promotion of parts reuse to reduce environmental impact
  • Enhanced energy-saving repair proposals for corporate clients
  • Improved fuel efficiency in delivery networks
  • Thorough in-house compliance education
  • Strengthened security for customer information management
  • Participation in local community cleanup activities
  • Efforts to improve waste recycling rates
  • Preparation of public support cooperation systems for emergencies
  • Enhanced water quality standards for reliable provision
  • Active recruitment and training of female technicians