Hioki

Basic Information

Stock Code
6866
Industry
Electrical Equipment
Category Detail
Commercial & Industrial Machinery
Prefecture
Nagano Prefecture
Establishment Year
January 1952
Listing Year
July 1991
Official Website
https://www.hioki.co.jp/
TSE Information
TSE Information
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Other Companies
Rigaku Holdings, Bordlua, OBC, Mimaki Engineering, Anritsu, Yokogawa Electric, Azbil, Horiba, JEOL, Shimadzu, Topcon, Riken Keiki, A&D Holon Holdings

Overview

Hioki is a research and development-oriented company specializing exclusively in electrical measuring instruments, founded in 1952. It provides high-performance measuring instruments in niche markets and is a leading company with strong competitiveness in the industry.

Current Situation

Hioki recorded consolidated net sales of approximately 20.9 billion yen, operating profit of approximately 2.5 billion yen, and net profit of approximately 2 billion yen in the fiscal year ended December 2017, establishing a stable financial base. In its core electrical measuring instruments business, it develops a wide variety of high-precision instruments and holds a top position in niche markets. It concentrates management resources on research and development, with about one-third of its employees engaged in technical roles, making technological innovation its strength. It insists on domestic production, ensuring quality through an integrated production system from design to calibration. The overseas sales ratio is gradually expanding, with global expansion promoted through the addition of bases in the United States, China, Europe, and elsewhere. It also focuses on sustainability, continuing environmentally friendly product development and local community contributions. In the medium to long term, it views the expansion of the measuring instruments market due to EV-related demand and industrial digital transformation as growth opportunities, pursuing a strategy of continuous technological investment and market development. As part of its latest efforts to address management challenges, it has introduced biomass cushioning materials and established new bases to solve customer issues, aiming for performance recovery.

Trivia

Interesting Facts

  • Founder Misumi Hioki began meter production in Tokyo in 1935.
  • Consistently focuses on technological development, with about 30% of all employees as development engineers.
  • Emphasizes quality and environmental management through ISO9001 and ISO14001 certification.
  • Head office located in Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture, with development, production, and repair integrated on the premises.
  • Hosts the local 'HIOKI Festival' every autumn to promote regional exchange.
  • Corporate mascot is a character named 'Hiokichikun' wearing a hat.
  • New employees participate in a 2-night, 3-day training camp at a temple for bonding.
  • Has a track record of winning the Good Design Award every year since 1985.
  • Promoting environmentally friendly management, including adoption of biomass materials for packaging.
  • Overseas bases in the United States, China, Singapore, Korea, Europe, and many others.
  • Established new bases in India in 2016 and Germany in 2017.
  • Highly evaluated in the industry for design capabilities due to iF Design Award win.
  • Mid-sized precision instrument manufacturer corresponding to diverse measurement fields.
  • Head office relocated in 1990 from Saku City to Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture.
  • Solid management foundation due to stable trends in sales and profits.

Hidden Connections

  • Contributes to local industry promotion in the head office region of Nagano Prefecture, building order chains.
  • In the high-precision field of clamp meters, maintains complementary relationships with major domestic and international measuring instrument manufacturers.
  • Trust relationships with overseas companies through ISO certification contribute to sales channel expansion.
  • Recognized as a consecutive Good Design Award winner for product operability and design.
  • Characteristics as a research and development-oriented company promote collaboration with academic institutions and research institutes.
  • Integrated manufacturing and development system provides strong flexibility for product customization.
  • Overseas base establishment directly leads to uncovering global customer needs and building support systems.
  • Adoption of environmentally responsive biomass cushioning materials strengthens positioning as a domestic environmental regulation-compliant company.

Future Outlook

Growth Drivers

  • Increasing demand for high-precision power measurement accompanying expansion of EV-related market
  • Demand for IoT measuring instruments due to promotion of digital transformation in industry
  • Growth of environmentally responsive measuring instruments due to stricter environmental regulations
  • Sales channel expansion especially in Asia and Europe overseas markets
  • Expansion of measurement tools accompanying increasing needs for energy-saving and labor-saving in manufacturing sites
  • Technological innovation responding to advanced and specialized measurement needs
  • Development and optimization of global supply chains
  • Increase in repeat customers through strengthened after-sales service
  • Rising social interest in environmental sustainability
  • Continuous competitive strength enhancement through engineer training and succession
  • Product value enhancement through utilization of AI and data analysis technology
  • Shift to customer issue resolution-type solutions

Strategic Goals

  • Achieve overseas sales ratio of over 40%
  • Aim for environmentally friendly product ratio of over 70%
  • Achieve over 50% AI application rate in product development
  • Promote new market development domestically and internationally at over 10% annual rate
  • Realize carbon neutral factory operations
  • Maintain and improve customer satisfaction over 90%
  • Strengthen product life extension and recycling対応
  • Secure and retain talent through engineer training programs
  • Improve productivity and reduce costs through DX promotion
  • Enhance competitiveness through strengthened global partnerships

Business Segments

Measurement Solutions for Manufacturing

Overview
Provides high-performance measuring instruments and solutions for industrial sites to support productivity improvement.
Competitiveness
Technological strength in high-precision, multi-function products
Customers
  • Electronics Manufacturers
  • Semiconductor Manufacturers
  • Automotive Manufacturers
  • Industrial Machinery Manufacturers
  • Research and Development Institutions
Products
  • Automatic Test Equipment
  • High-Precision Recording Devices
  • Power Quality Analysis Instruments
  • Electronic Measuring Instruments

Power and Energy Measurement

Overview
Provides precision measuring instruments for power usage and quality to support energy savings and quality management.
Competitiveness
Proven track record and highly reliable product lineup
Customers
  • Electric Power Companies
  • Renewable Energy Operators
  • Energy Management Companies
  • Building Management Companies
Products
  • Power Meters
  • Clamp Power Meters
  • Power Quality Analyzers

Products for Educational and Research Institutions

Overview
Provides measuring instruments and analysis support tools optimized for educational and research applications.
Competitiveness
Balance of high precision and ease of use
Customers
  • University Laboratories
  • Public Research Institutes
  • Technical Vocational Schools
Products
  • Electronic Measuring Instruments
  • Recording Devices
  • Measurement Software

Development and Maintenance Services

Overview
Implements maintenance and technical support services to support long-term stable operation of products.
Competitiveness
Integrated in-house support system
Customers
  • Manufacturing Users
  • Measuring Instrument Distributors
  • Maintenance Service Providers
Products
  • Equipment Repair
  • Calibration Services
  • Custom Solution Development

Business for Overseas Markets

Overview
Deploys products and services specialized for overseas markets with multiple bases.
Competitiveness
Sales network coordinated with local subsidiaries
Customers
  • Global Companies
  • Local Distributors
  • Overseas Manufacturing Bases
Products
  • Full Range of Main Measuring Instruments
  • Special Specifications for Overseas

Environmental Measuring Instruments

Overview
Provides high-precision measuring instruments to support reduction of environmental impact.
Competitiveness
Pioneer in environmental response technology
Customers
  • Environmental Measurement Companies
  • Government Agencies
  • Energy Audit Operators
Products
  • Power Consumption Measuring Instruments
  • Data Loggers
  • Environmental Analysis Tools

Battery-Related Measuring Instruments

Overview
Provides dedicated measuring instruments for next-generation battery evaluation.
Competitiveness
Precise battery analysis technology
Customers
  • Battery Manufacturers
  • Automotive Industry
  • Electronics Manufacturers
Products
  • Battery Testers
  • Battery Measuring Devices

Industrial IoT Measurement Systems

Overview
IoT-compatible measurement solutions contributing to digitalization of industrial sites.
Competitiveness
Utilization of advanced communication technology
Customers
  • Manufacturing DX Promotion Companies
  • Equipment Management Companies
  • Smart Factory Operators
Products
  • Wireless Communication Measuring Instruments
  • IoT-Compatible Data Loggers
  • Analysis Software

Electrical Equipment Safety Testing

Overview
Provides measuring instruments necessary for safety inspection of electrical equipment.
Competitiveness
Highly reliable measurement performance
Customers
  • Building Management Companies
  • Construction Companies
  • Electrical Contractors
Products
  • Withstand Voltage Testers
  • Insulation Resistance Meters
  • Phase Detectors

Field Service Measuring Instruments

Overview
Measuring instruments supporting rapid diagnosis and maintenance work in the field.
Competitiveness
Balance of ruggedness and portability
Customers
  • Equipment Maintenance Operators
  • Public Infrastructure Managers
  • Power Plants
Products
  • Portable Clamp Meters
  • Testers
  • Field Measuring Instruments

Communications and Electronic Components Measurement

Overview
High-precision measuring instruments corresponding to minute electrical characteristic evaluation.
Competitiveness
Precise measurement and reliability
Customers
  • Electronic Component Manufacturers
  • Communications Equipment Manufacturers
  • Precision Equipment Manufacturers
Products
  • LCR Meters
  • Impedance Analyzers

Competitive Advantage

Strengths

  • High technological development capabilities and research and development-oriented corporate culture
  • Customer-close product lineup in segmented niche markets
  • Thorough quality control through domestic integrated production
  • Multi-faceted sales system through global expansion
  • High design quality backed by numerous awards
  • Specialization focused on high-precision measuring instruments
  • Solid financial base and stable revenue structure
  • Service system capable of quick response to customer needs
  • Broad market coverage through diverse product lineup
  • Brand reliability based on long years of industry experience
  • Community support activities with close ties to the local area
  • Market development capabilities through collaboration with overseas bases
  • In-house completion from product development to repair and calibration

Competitive Advantages

  • Possesses high-level measurement technology domestically and mass-produces high-precision products
  • Specializes in niche markets and holds numerous products difficult for competitors to imitate
  • As a research and development-oriented company, about 30% of all employees are technical staff
  • Strong market penetration of its own brand 'HIOKI'
  • Domestic integrated production for quality control and rapid service system
  • Promoting specialized strategies for overseas markets through global deployment
  • Product lineup corresponding to diverse standards and needs
  • Numerous Good Design Award wins in electrical measuring instruments
  • Differentiation through focus on long-term environmentally friendly product development
  • High customer satisfaction due to comprehensive support system
  • Strengthened sales network through direct sales and distributor collaboration
  • Unique measurement functions and software integration technology not found in other companies
  • Improved brand favorability through regional social contribution activities
  • Product innovation through introduction of advanced technologies (IoT, wireless communication)

Threats

  • Intensifying price competition from domestic and international competitors
  • Risk of product obsolescence due to accelerating pace of technological innovation
  • Cost increases due to exchange rate fluctuations and rising raw material prices
  • Threat to market position from new entrants
  • Decline in overseas sales due to global economic uncertainty
  • Increased manufacturing costs due to stricter environmental regulations
  • Risks from patent infringement disputes
  • Risk of delayed response to diversifying customer needs
  • Challenges in securing talent and technology succession
  • Risks to production bases from natural disasters, etc.
  • Political and regulatory risks in overseas markets
  • Competitive disadvantage due to delays in digital technology adaptation

Innovations

2023: Introduction of Biomass Polyethylene Cushioning Materials

Overview
Adopted environmentally friendly biomass polyethylene as packaging cushioning material.
Impact
Contributes to reducing environmental impact of packaging materials

2022: Development of Next-Generation Memory HiCorder MR

Overview
Developed and launched a memory HiCorder capable of high-resolution, long-time recording.
Impact
Improved measurement accuracy and increased customer satisfaction

2021: Launch of Wireless Communication-Compatible Measuring Instrument Series

Overview
Newly developed IoT-compatible measuring instruments with wireless communication functions.
Impact
Supports digital transformation in industrial sites

2020: Development of Compact Clamp Meter with Energy-Saving Design

Overview
Launched an energy-saving model of portable clamp meter with low power consumption and high-precision measurement.
Impact
Reduces environmental impact and improves customer convenience

Sustainability

  • Expansion of plastic reduction in product packaging and use of alternative materials
  • Improvement of energy efficiency and CO2 emission reduction at own factories
  • Support for environmental education through collaboration with local communities
  • Establishment of green procurement standards and strengthening of supply chain management
  • Promotion of waste recycling rate improvement and waste reduction activities
  • Adoption of product design policy considering reduction of environmental impact
  • Improvement of workplace environment and talent development to fulfill social responsibilities
  • Strengthening of internal audit system for environment and safety
  • Promotion of long-term strategy based on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
  • Improvement of transparency in environmental response product information for customers