Ogura Clutch

Basic Information

Stock Code
6408
Industry
Machinery
Category Detail
Industrial Equipment & Heavy Electrical Apparatus
Prefecture
Gunma Prefecture
Establishment Year
May 1948
Listing Year
May 1963
Official Website
https://www.oguraclutch.co.jp/
TSE Information
TSE Information
Yahoo! Finance
Yahoo! Finance
Other Companies
Daishin Chemical, ONE GROUP, Harmonic Drive Systems, Kikukawa, Nippon Gear, Tsubakimoto Chain, Daido Kogyo, Oriental Chain, Morio Electric

Overview

Ogura Clutch is a machinery manufacturer founded in 1948, boasting a world top-class share in the industrial clutch and brake sector.

Current Situation

Ogura Clutch is a stable company with consolidated sales of 33.6 billion yen, net assets of 15.2 billion yen, and 2,016 employees for the fiscal year ended March 2021. It has established a global top share in clutches for car air conditioners and is diversifying into reinforced clutches for racing and disaster prevention equipment. The company is focusing on R&D, particularly the development of high-precision clutches and the overseas expansion of electromagnetic clutch technology. Leveraging its global supply system, it is expanding into overseas markets. It is advancing sustainable production and environmental considerations, as well as mid- to long-term growth strategies through subsidiaries and mergers. In recent years, it has focused on improving production efficiency and expanding its product lineup to strengthen competitiveness in the industrial machinery sector. In the future, further market development is expected through increasing demand for electric clutches in automobiles and the introduction of new materials technology.

Trivia

Interesting Facts

  • World top share in car air conditioner clutches.
  • ORC brand highly regarded by racing enthusiasts.
  • Traditional clutch specialist manufacturer founded in 1948.
  • Major domestic supplier of disaster prevention clutches and brakes.
  • Global business expansion with multiple subsidiaries.
  • Listed on TSE Standard Market since 1963.
  • One of the pioneers in reinforced racing clutches.
  • Decades of track record in car air conditioner clutches.
  • Founding family still deeply involved in management.
  • Inheriting tradition of high-precision machining in Kiryu City.
  • Developing disaster prevention equipment business as a new pillar.
  • Transitioned from JASDAQ to TSE Standard Market.
  • Holds naming rights for Ogura Clutch Stadium locally.
  • Owns subsidiary specializing in racing clutches.
  • Invests several percent of sales in R&D to strengthen technology.

Hidden Connections

  • Latest technologies are being put into practical use through strong ties with the motorsports world.
  • Joint research on next-generation clutch technology with local universities through industry-academia collaboration.
  • Direct transactions with famous overseas automakers for electromagnetic clutch parts supply.
  • Major local real estate company participates as a key shareholder.
  • Disaster prevention business expanding in response to increasing natural disasters in recent years.
  • One subsidiary has production bases overseas, strengthening global structure.
  • Product design features technology that balances environmental compliance and high performance.
  • Racing clutch technology contributes to high performance of general industrial products.

Future Outlook

Growth Drivers

  • Expansion of demand for new clutches due to automotive electrification
  • Growth in disaster prevention equipment market and increased public investment
  • Increasing international demand for racing clutches
  • Development of energy-saving products in line with stricter environmental regulations
  • Further development of overseas markets and expansion of sales networks
  • Product high value-added through technological innovation
  • Increasing demand for equipment renewal in domestic industrial machinery
  • Expansion of demand for custom specification clutches
  • New product development through integration of IoT and control technology
  • Stable supply assurance through supply chain strengthening
  • Corporate value enhancement through sustainable production system
  • Brand improvement through community-based social contributions

Strategic Goals

  • Increase clutch share in world market
  • Full rollout of environmentally compliant products
  • Achieve domestic top share in disaster prevention equipment
  • Strengthen overall capabilities through technology integration with subsidiaries
  • Further strengthen global supply system
  • Stably achieve annual sales over 50 billion yen
  • Promote business diversification through new market entry
  • Sustained increase in R&D investment ratio
  • Corporate activities emphasizing coexistence with local communities
  • Promotion of product digitalization and smartization

Business Segments

Supply to Automotive Parts Manufacturers

Overview
Stable supply of industrial and racing clutches to the automotive industry.
Competitiveness
World top-class car air conditioner clutch technology
Customers
  • Automobile manufacturers
  • Parts suppliers
  • Motorsports teams
  • Automotive modifiers
  • Overseas automotive markets
Products
  • Car air conditioner clutches
  • Racing clutches
  • Drive system parts
  • Electromagnetic clutches
  • Supercharger clutches

Parts Supply to Industrial Machinery Manufacturers

Overview
Provides high-quality clutch and brake parts for a wide range of industrial machinery.
Competitiveness
High durability and custom responsiveness
Customers
  • Industrial machinery manufacturers
  • Machine tool manufacturers
  • Disaster prevention equipment manufacturers
  • Construction machinery manufacturers
  • Heavy electrical equipment operators
Products
  • Wet clutches
  • Pneumatic brakes
  • Reducers
  • Disaster prevention braking systems
  • Hydraulic clutches

Parts Supply for Disaster Prevention and Public Facilities

Overview
Manufactures robust parts for disaster prevention equipment for public safety.
Competitiveness
High reliability and regulatory-compliant products
Customers
  • Local governments
  • Disaster prevention equipment manufacturers
  • Public infrastructure management companies
Products
  • Earthquake-responsive braking devices
  • Emergency brakes
  • Safety control clutches

Supply to Overseas Markets

Overview
Supplies diverse clutch products to global markets.
Competitiveness
Rapid response utilizing overseas bases
Customers
  • Overseas automakers
  • Overseas industrial machinery manufacturers
  • Local sales agents
  • Exporters
Products
  • Electromagnetic clutches
  • Automotive clutches
  • Industrial brakes

Racing and Sports Car Market

Overview
Provides high-performance clutch products for racing vehicles.
Competitiveness
Highly evaluated for high heat resistance and high torque performance
Customers
  • Racing teams
  • Custom shops
  • Sports car owners
Products
  • Reinforced racing clutches
  • Friction discs
  • Clutch kits

Machinery Parts Processing Services

Overview
Designs and manufactures dedicated clutch parts tailored to customer needs.
Competitiveness
Rapid development response and flexible production system
Customers
  • Small and medium-sized machinery manufacturers
  • Custom parts manufacturers
  • Industrial design firms
Products
  • Custom clutch design
  • Prototype parts processing
  • Small lot production

Supply to Electrical Component Manufacturers

Overview
Provides high-precision clutch parts for electrical components.
Competitiveness
Advanced integration of electromagnetic technology and control
Customers
  • Car air conditioner manufacturers
  • Automotive electrical parts suppliers
  • Industrial control equipment manufacturers
Products
  • Electromagnetic clutch units
  • Control modules
  • Sensor-equipped parts

Parts Provision for Energy-Saving Equipment

Overview
Develops and provides industrial parts emphasizing energy efficiency.
Competitiveness
Development capabilities for environmentally compliant products
Customers
  • Energy equipment manufacturers
  • Environmental equipment companies
Products
  • High-efficiency clutches
  • Energy-saving brakes
  • Low-friction materials

Automotive Parts Sales Agency

Overview
Builds support system for maintenance and repair parts.
Competitiveness
Product lineup with high durability and compatibility
Customers
  • Repair shops
  • Automotive parts dealers
Products
  • Clutch replacement parts
  • Repair friction materials
  • Custom parts

Disaster Prevention Related Services

Overview
Conducts inspections and design services for disaster prevention safety equipment.
Competitiveness
Support for long-term reliability assurance
Customers
  • Disaster prevention consultants
  • Construction companies
Products
  • Braking system design
  • Periodic maintenance support

Parts for Logistics Machinery

Overview
Provides drive parts for logistics machinery to support labor saving.
Competitiveness
Durability and high-performance design
Customers
  • Logistics equipment manufacturers
  • Warehouse operators
Products
  • Clutch units
  • Belt drive parts

Custom Development Projects

Overview
Undertakes development of custom specification clutch prototypes.
Competitiveness
Versatile technical responsiveness and rapid delivery
Customers
  • R&D institutions
  • New business entrants
Products
  • Prototype clutches
  • Experimental custom parts

Competitive Advantage

Strengths

  • World top-class car air conditioner clutch technology
  • Diverse clutch product lineup
  • High production technology and quality control system
  • Global sales and supply network
  • Long years of technology accumulation and brand trust
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent custom responsiveness
  • Strong customer base and partnerships
  • Business diversification into disaster prevention equipment
  • High recognition of racing product brand
  • Development capabilities for high-durability products for industrial machinery
  • Strong R&D organization
  • Stable management base and financial soundness
  • Well-developed subsidiary network
  • Promotion of environmentally friendly product development

Competitive Advantages

  • World share top in car air conditioner clutches
  • Trust in high-performance racing clutch brand ORC
  • Capable of meeting needs of both automotive and industrial machinery
  • Global expansion leveraging overseas bases
  • Risk diversification through product diversification in disaster prevention equipment
  • Advanced proprietary electromagnetic clutch technology
  • Flexible response to customer needs through custom product development
  • Stable orders based on long-term transaction relationships
  • High-quality material selection and precision processing technology
  • Product development capabilities compliant with environmental regulations
  • Synergy creation through consolidated subsidiaries
  • Comprehensive sales and technical support
  • Track record of supplying products to diverse industries
  • Rapid response to changing market needs
  • Reliability maintenance through thorough quality assurance system

Threats

  • Changes in clutch demand due to electrification of automotive market
  • Technological innovations and price competition from global competitors
  • Risk of raw material price fluctuations
  • Impact on earnings from exchange rate fluctuations
  • Increased product development burden due to stricter environmental regulations
  • Supply chain risks in parts procurement
  • Increase in new entrants
  • Demand decline due to global economic uncertainty
  • Delays in responding to rapid changes in market needs
  • Stagnation in development and production due to engineer shortages
  • Risk of damage to production bases from natural disasters
  • Impact of trade friction and tariffs

Innovations

2024: EV-Compatible Clutch Development

Overview
Developed clutch units optimized for next-generation electric vehicles.
Impact
Opens new sales channels by meeting market needs

2023: High-Durability Racing Clutch Launch

Overview
Released racing clutches with significantly improved heat and wear resistance.
Impact
Enhances brand value in the racing market

2022: Introduction of Environmentally Friendly Materials

Overview
Began adopting recyclable new materials for clutch friction materials.
Impact
Successfully balances environmental compliance and product performance

2021: Advancement of Automation at Overseas Production Bases

Overview
Significantly advanced automation of production lines at overseas factories.
Impact
15% improvement in production efficiency and cost reduction

2020: New Electromagnetic Clutch Technology Development

Overview
Developed new model electromagnetic clutches with high power control efficiency.
Impact
Meets energy-saving standards and expands orders

2024: Improvement of Automatic Braking System for Disaster Prevention

Overview
Developed disaster prevention equipment with enhanced instantaneous braking after earthquake detection.
Impact
Expands adoption in public safety business

2023: Introduction of Smart Clutch Control System

Overview
Implemented clutch condition monitoring and optimal control technology using IoT.
Impact
Improves product reliability and maintainability

2022: Initiation of Lightweight Clutch Material R&D

Overview
Launched research on new materials contributing to vehicle lightweighting.
Impact
Strengthens future responsiveness to lightweight parts market

2021: Technology Integration through Subsidiary Absorption Merger

Overview
Integrated technologies from Toyo Clutch and Ogura Corporation.
Impact
Improves product lineup and technological capabilities

2020: New Quake-Resistant Brake for Disaster Prevention Equipment

Overview
Launched new products with enhanced braking force and reliability over existing models.
Impact
Increases orders in public market

Sustainability

  • Development of clutch materials using recycled materials
  • CO2 emission reduction plan in production processes
  • Enhanced in-factory recycling to reduce waste
  • Promotion of energy-efficient product design
  • Environmental conservation activities in collaboration with local communities
  • Internal education on sustainable resource use
  • Acquisition and operation of ISO14001 environmental management system
  • Compliance with environmental standards in supply chain
  • Adoption and promotion of green procurement policy
  • Employee environmental awareness programs
  • R&D investment for improving energy-saving performance of products
  • Regular issuance and disclosure of environmental reports