Janome

Basic Information

Stock Code
6445
Industry
Machinery
Category Detail
Manufacturing Machinery & Electrical Equipment
Prefecture
Tokyo
Establishment Year
June 1950
Listing Year
September 1962
Official Website
https://www.janome.co.jp/
TSE Information
TSE Information
Yahoo! Finance
Yahoo! Finance
Other Companies
Robtex, Tsudakoma Kogyo, Shima Seiki Mfg., Yokota Seiki, PEGASUS, JUKI, Chino

Overview

Janome is a major machinery industry company established in 1950, with household sewing machines and industrial equipment as its main products, and strengths in its diverse product lineup as a long-established manufacturer.

Current Situation

Janome boasts consolidated sales of approximately 43.8 billion yen and maintains its position as a leading domestic player in the household sewing machine field. In recent years, it has expanded beyond sewing machines into desktop robots, industrial equipment, and casting operations to promote business diversification. Leveraging high technological capabilities, it strives for quality improvement by applying proprietary design and control technologies to its products. It has announced its withdrawal from door-to-door sales and is reviewing its sales channels. Management is sound, with capital of approximately 11.4 billion yen, approximately 600 employees on a non-consolidated basis, and approximately 3,445 on a consolidated basis. Moving forward, it will focus on growth in industrial equipment and robotics fields, strengthen digital control and IoT technology adoption, and aim for overseas market expansion. It also emphasizes sustainability initiatives and production efficiency improvements. On a solid financial foundation, it is deploying a strategy that balances stability and growth.

Trivia

Interesting Facts

  • Known as Japan's first domestic sewing machine manufacturer
  • Developed the world's first household embroidery sewing machine 'Grafica'
  • Experienced a major management crisis in the Koshin Incident
  • Entered and later withdrew from the 24-hour bath business
  • Changed name to Janome in 2021 and celebrated its 100th anniversary
  • Expands overseas with the Elna New Home brand
  • Active policy of employing single-mother households through door-to-door sales
  • Promotes diversification through diverse industrial equipment businesses
  • Relocated head office functions from Kyobashi to Hachioji in 2009
  • Continuously listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange since 1962
  • Unique company name derived from the shape of a sewing machine bobbin
  • Owns multiple overseas production and sales subsidiaries in its group
  • Owns numerous subsidiaries including Janome Diecast
  • Factory site redeveloped into Tokyo Square Garden
  • Golf commentator Take Oyama was once a registered player

Hidden Connections

  • Daiei Real Estate is the largest shareholder, with roots tracing back to Saitama Bank
  • Historically was under the umbrella of former OKI Electric Industry
  • One of Japan's major sewing machine manufacturers alongside Brother and JUKI
  • Contributed to promoting women's employment in the door-to-door sales market
  • Has historical ties with Riccar Sewing Machine Co., Ltd., founded by former executives
  • Product name 'Shishuu Meijin' is a pioneer in household embroidery sewing machines
  • Strength in composite technologies of textile machinery and industrial robots
  • Company location in Hachioji also serves as a technology development hub

Future Outlook

Growth Drivers

  • Expansion of the industrial robot market
  • Strengthening overseas production bases and sales networks
  • Advancement of digitalization in household sewing equipment
  • Evolution of products using IoT technology
  • Development and dissemination of environmentally friendly products
  • Increasing demand due to rising automation needs
  • Support for apparel industry efficiency
  • Active investment in new business areas
  • Recovery in domestic and overseas manufacturing sentiment
  • Adaptation to diversified sales channels
  • Strengthening talent development and technological innovation
  • Business expansion through M&A

Strategic Goals

  • Industrial robot sales exceed 20 billion yen
  • Overseas sales ratio over 30%
  • Complete smartification of household sewing machines
  • Achieve CO2 emission reduction target (50% reduction from 2025 baseline)
  • Complete withdrawal from door-to-door sales and establishment of new sales channels
  • Product recycling rate over 80%
  • AI adoption rate in industrial equipment over 70%
  • Maintain customer satisfaction over 90%
  • Active recruitment and utilization of diverse talent
  • Enhancement of community contribution programs

Business Segments

Textile and Sewing Machinery

Overview
Planning and manufacturing of sewing machines and embroidery equipment for textile processing.
Competitiveness
Advanced sewing technology and extensive industry track record.
Customers
  • Apparel manufacturers
  • Sewing factories
  • Sewing schools
  • Educational institutions
  • Retail stores
Products
  • Household sewing machines
  • Industrial sewing machines
  • Embroidery machines
  • High-speed straight sewing machines

Industrial Robots

Overview
Various industrial robots supporting production line automation.
Competitiveness
Compact design and flexible motion control.
Customers
  • Automotive manufacturers
  • Electronic component makers
  • Precision equipment manufacturers
  • Logistics companies
Products
  • Desktop robots
  • SCARA robots
  • Automated assembly equipment

Servo Press Equipment

Overview
Provides servo press products for precision metal forming.
Competitiveness
High precision and energy-saving performance.
Customers
  • Metal processors
  • Automotive parts manufacturers
  • Building materials companies
Products
  • JP Series Servo Press
  • High-performance presses

Printing Equipment

Overview
Development and sales of printing equipment for diverse product labeling.
Competitiveness
Capable of meeting various printing needs.
Customers
  • Industrial printing companies
  • Packaging manufacturers
  • General manufacturing
Products
  • Electric imprinters
  • Pump-type imprinters
  • Slide-type imprinters

Technical Support and Maintenance

Overview
Provides comprehensive maintenance services after product introduction.
Competitiveness
Rapid response through nationwide network.
Customers
  • Domestic and overseas customer companies
  • Sales agents
Products
  • Maintenance
  • Technical consulting
  • Equipment upgrades

Competitive Advantage

Strengths

  • Top-class household sewing machine technology in Japan
  • Diversified product portfolio
  • High technological capabilities in industrial equipment
  • Long history and credibility
  • Robust sales channel network
  • Advanced sewing and robot technology
  • Solid financial foundation
  • Comprehensive technical support system
  • Extensive product lineup
  • Broad domestic and international customer base
  • Proven industrial robot development
  • Domestic and overseas production bases
  • Brand power and recognition
  • Synergy effects with industrial machinery
  • Customer-oriented sales model

Competitive Advantages

  • Brand recognition and image in the household sewing machine market
  • Technological integration of industrial robots and sewing machines
  • Risk diversification through diverse product range
  • Differentiation from competitors via high-performance servo press technology
  • Comprehensive after-sales service and maintenance system
  • Strong door-to-door sales network (undergoing transformation)
  • Ability to build long-term customer relationships
  • Local subsidiaries for overseas market expansion
  • Superior overall strength and broad market coverage compared to competitors
  • Product innovation supported by R&D capabilities
  • Creditworthiness from stable capital structure
  • Development capabilities adaptable to diverse industries
  • High-quality products through proprietary technologies
  • Proposal capabilities tailored to customer needs
  • High social credibility as a long-established company

Threats

  • Shrinking household sewing machine market
  • Rise of low-priced products from overseas competitors
  • Challenges in rebuilding sales network due to door-to-door sales withdrawal
  • Intensifying competition from accelerating technological innovation
  • Market competition pressure from new entrants
  • Need to respond to rapid digitalization
  • Risk of cost increases from stricter environmental regulations
  • Earnings impact from exchange rate fluctuations
  • Overseas expansion risks from international political changes
  • Intensifying talent acquisition competition
  • Risk of raw material price fluctuations
  • Difficulty in responding to diversifying market needs

Innovations

2022: New Desktop Robot Series Development

Overview
Launched the compact, high-precision desktop robot JR2000NERT series to promote automation in production sites.
Impact
Contributes to improved production efficiency and labor savings.

2023: Introduction of Smart Sewing Machine Control System

Overview
Developed network-connected household sewing machines using IoT and digital control technologies.
Impact
Significantly improves user convenience and operability.

2021: Announcement of New Servo Press JP-S Series

Overview
Introduced next-generation servo press machines that balance energy savings and high-precision control.
Impact
Contributes to reducing customers' production costs.

2020: Strengthening of Industrial SCARA Robots

Overview
Developed new SCARA robot models with flexible motion control and expanded into multiple fields.
Impact
Enables response to a wide range of customer needs.

2024: AI-Utilizing Manufacturing Process Optimization

Overview
Introduced AI into manufacturing lines to improve production efficiency and quality control precision.
Impact
Achieved cost reductions and quality stabilization.

Sustainability

  • Development of energy-saving products aimed at reducing environmental impact
  • Active use of recycled materials
  • Promotion of factory CO2 emission reduction plans
  • Environmental conservation activities in collaboration with local communities
  • Setting of long-term environmental impact reduction targets
  • Strengthening environmental considerations in supply chains
  • Implementation of employee environmental education programs
  • Introduction of sustainable procurement standards
  • Investment in high energy-efficiency equipment
  • Establishment of waste reduction management systems
  • Formulation of corporate behavior guidelines considering social responsibility
  • Regular publication of environmental reports