Riso Kagaku Corporation

Basic Information

Stock Code
6413
Industry
Machinery
Category Detail
Information & Communication Equipment
Prefecture
Tokyo
Establishment Year
January 1955
Listing Year
October 1989
Official Website
https://www.riso.co.jp/
TSE Information
TSE Information
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Other Companies
Fujifilm Holdings, Konica Minolta, Hirakawa Hutech, Nitto Kohki, Katsuragawa Electric, Brother Industries, Seiko Epson, Kyocera, Riken Keiki, Canon Electronics, Canon, Ricoh

Overview

Riso Kagaku Corporation is a printing equipment manufacturer founded in 1955, a leading company with strengths in high-speed inkjet printers and stencil printing machines in the domestic and international education, government, and office markets.

Current Situation

Riso Kagaku Corporation achieved consolidated sales of ¥74.6 billion in the fiscal year ending March 2024, with inkjet and stencil businesses as mainstays. Its flagship products "ORPHIS" and "RISOGRAPH" receive high industry evaluations, operating 16 sales departments domestically and 22 overseas subsidiaries. Even after dissolving its joint venture with Olympus in 2011, it has pioneered high-speed printing with proprietary technology, establishing Riso Technologies in 2024 to enter the inkjet head business. It develops eco-friendly products with energy-saving awards and focuses on digital solutions like the smartphone contact service "Sukire." Medium- to long-term strategies emphasize high-speed printing market expansion and digital service enhancement. It clearly aims for sustainable growth by incorporating domestic and international industrial needs.

Trivia

Interesting Facts

  • Print Gocco launched in 1977 pioneered home stencil printing.
  • "RISOGRAPH" has been loved by educational institutions worldwide for many years.
  • Continues proprietary development of high-speed inkjet technology even after Olympus JV dissolution.
  • Enables high-speed duplex printing with proprietary oil-based pigment ink.
  • Discontinued home stencil printer "Print Gocco" in 2008, but continued consumables sales until 2012.
  • Headquarters located in Tamachi Center Building, Minato-ku, Tokyo.
  • Official sponsor of Kashima Antlers, contributing to community.
  • Strengthening inkjet head business through subsidiary establishment.
  • Built efficient market deployment with proprietary distribution system.
  • "VALEZUS" brand first launched in Europe and US, gaining global recognition.

Hidden Connections

  • Fused printing technology through Olympus JV, later expanded proprietary path inheriting the technology.
  • Strong relationships with schools nationwide through education-oriented products.
  • Established stable revenue base in consumables business through long-term ink development.
  • Contributes to sports culture support through Kashima Antlers sponsorship.
  • Differentiates from major rivals' high-value products using proprietary technology.
  • Promotes multifaceted business by combining plate-making products and digital services.
  • Improved global market recognition through overseas expansion since 1960s.
  • Holds intellectual property rights through patents on plate-making and inks.

Future Outlook

Growth Drivers

  • Expansion of high-speed printing market and response to diverse needs
  • Widespread adoption of digital communication services
  • New product development in inkjet head business
  • Increasing demand for energy-saving and environmentally considerate products
  • Global sales channel expansion for educational institutions and government offices
  • Advanced digital printing needs and specialized service development
  • Global market acquisition through overseas subsidiaries
  • Hybrid deployment of printing equipment and IT services
  • Contributions to sustainable society and strengthened ESG compliance
  • Shortened product lifecycles through technological innovation

Strategic Goals

  • Achieve top domestic and international share in high-speed inkjet market
  • B2B and digital solutions business accounting for over 50% of sales
  • Transition all products to sustainability-compliant
  • Global sales expansion using overseas subsidiaries
  • Acquire 10 or more new patent technologies annually
  • Maintain industry-leading energy efficiency in products
  • Promote digitalization of services for education sector
  • Strengthen document readability technology for improved accessibility
  • Institutionalize and expand community contribution programs
  • Expand industrial applications through inkjet head technological innovation

Business Segments

Printing Equipment Manufacturing

Overview
Develops and sells office printing equipment centered on education and government.
Competitiveness
High-performance products based on proprietary ink technology and plate-making expertise
Customers
  • Educational institutions
  • Government offices
  • Printing companies
  • Corporate offices
  • Stationery wholesalers
Products
  • High-speed inkjet printers
  • Stencil printing machines
  • Screen making machines
  • Printing consumables
  • Plate-making materials

Inkjet Head Manufacturing

Overview
Promoting development and manufacturing of high-quality heads centered on subsidiary established in 2024.
Competitiveness
Advanced head design technology for high-speed printing
Customers
  • Printer manufacturers
  • Electronics manufacturers
  • Industrial printers
Products
  • Inkjet heads
  • Related consumables

Digital Solutions

Overview
IT services business including school communication tools and document readability verification.
Competitiveness
User-friendly service design from the user's perspective
Customers
  • Schools
  • Boards of education
  • Parents
Products
  • Smartphone apps
  • Cloud services

Consumables Sales

Overview
Stably supplies consumables for printing equipment.
Competitiveness
Quality control and supply network for proprietary inks
Customers
  • Distributors
  • Office users
Products
  • Special inks
  • Master paper

Competitive Advantage

Strengths

  • Proprietary high-speed inkjet technology
  • Accumulated stencil printing technology over many years
  • Sales bases deployed domestically and internationally
  • Development of energy-saving and eco-friendly products
  • Comprehensive consumables support system
  • Solid financial base and funding strength
  • Strong sales network for educational institutions
  • Diverse digital service offerings
  • Flexibility in responding to customer needs
  • Technology development specialized in printing equipment

Competitive Advantages

  • Possesses the world's fastest printer supporting high-speed duplex printing
  • Firm share in the stencil printing market
  • Global customer base through multinational expansion
  • Built integrated product ecosystem with proprietary inks, etc.
  • Provision of high-durability products using latest technology
  • Balance of usability and space-saving design
  • Diverse printer product lineup
  • Entry into digital communication field
  • Product development conscious of reducing environmental impact
  • Solutions specialized for education sector

Threats

  • Intensifying technology and price competition from major rivals
  • Digitalization of printing industry and reduction in paper media
  • Low-price offensives from overseas emerging companies
  • Risk of raw material price fluctuations
  • Raw material constraints from strengthened environmental regulations
  • Reduced capital investment due to global economic downturn
  • Product obsolescence from diversifying market needs
  • Risk of failing to keep up with pace of technological innovation
  • Revenue fluctuation risk from exchange rate changes
  • Manufacturing delays from supply chain issues

Innovations

2024: Establishment of Riso Technologies Co., Ltd.

Overview
Consolidated inkjet head business to build high-performance manufacturing system.
Impact
Strengthens product competitiveness with high-quality head products.

2023: Launch of Cloud Service "Yomiyasu"

Overview
Launched paid service automatically verifying document readability and legibility.
Impact
Contributes to improving customer communication efficiency and quality.

2021: Launch of School Contact App "Sukire" Service

Overview
Promotes adoption of digital communication tools to support efficiency in education sites.
Impact
Creates new revenue in education market and expands customer base.

2022: Launch of High-Speed Inkjet Printer "VALEZUS T2200"

Overview
Achieved 330 pages per minute duplex printing to strengthen market competitiveness.
Impact
Expands share in production printer market.

2020: Launch of "ORPHIS FT Series"

Overview
Next-generation inkjet printer maintaining high speed while achieving miniaturization.
Impact
Expands product reach to space-conscious users.

Sustainability

  • Expansion of Energy Conservation Award-winning products
  • Development and adoption of low-environmental-impact inks
  • Promotion of product recycling and reuse
  • Environmental awareness activities for educational institutions
  • Expansion of Green Procurement Law-compliant products