ROHM

Basic Information

Stock Code
6963
Industry
Electrical Equipment
Category Detail
Semiconductors & Electronic Components
Prefecture
Kyoto Prefecture
Establishment Year
September 1958
Listing Year
November 1983
Official Website
https://www.rohm.co.jp/
TSE Information
TSE Information
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Overview

ROHM is a Kyoto-based semiconductor and electronic components manufacturer founded in 1958, a top-tier company in the industry with strengths in custom LSIs and power semiconductors.

Current Situation

ROHM recorded consolidated sales of approximately ¥448.5 billion and net assets of approximately ¥889.7 billion for the fiscal year ending March 2025, while posting a net loss of approximately ¥50 billion. Centered on its core custom LSIs, it is strengthening its presence in the power semiconductor market and represents Japan's semiconductor industry. In recent years, it has withdrawn from the LED lighting business to focus on semiconductor technology. It is actively pursuing technological innovations such as the development of innovative non-volatile logic LSIs and is gaining attention for sustainable energy-saving technologies. It has been certified as a Health & Productivity Stock Company (White 500) for multiple years, making efforts in employee health management. Notable community contributions include acquiring naming rights for Rohm Theater in Kyoto City and supporting music culture. It actively pursues partnerships and acquisitions with major competitors, aiming to strengthen its business foundation through high-value-added semiconductor development and global expansion.

Trivia

Interesting Facts

  • The company name derives from the unit of electrical resistance, ohm (Ohm).
  • The founder obtained a patent for carbon film resistors while a student at Ritsumeikan University.
  • Unique marketing strategy of not displaying the company logo on products.
  • Hosts annual LED illuminations around its Kyoto headquarters.
  • LED lighting business sold to Iris Ohyama and fully withdrawn.
  • Certified as Health & Productivity Stock Company (White 500) for multiple years.
  • Established Rohm Memorial Hall at Ritsumeikan University for educational support.
  • Founder supports musicians through a music foundation.
  • Acquired Yamaha's semiconductor factory in 1998, aiding its rescue.
  • LSIs with product numbers starting BD, BU, BH are recognized as ROHM-made among engineers.
  • Previously sponsored bib numbers for the Biwako Daily Marathon.
  • Manufacturing sites span Kyoto, Hamamatsu, and others.
  • Has dominated Japan's custom LSI market for many years.
  • Early development of non-volatile logic LSI as part of innovation efforts.
  • Supplies diverse semiconductor products to a wide range of industrial fields.

Hidden Connections

  • Product identifiers BD, BU, BH are recognized by engineers as ROHM semiconductors.
  • Strong ties with Ritsumeikan University advance talent development and R&D.
  • Supported industry by acquiring Yamaha's semiconductor factory during its management crisis.
  • Acquired 50-year naming rights for local Kyoto cultural facility Rohm Theater.
  • Founder Kenichiro Sato is a pianist actively supporting music.
  • Sale of LED lighting business advanced business selection and concentration.
  • Health management certification indicates superior employee health systems.
  • Robust sales network through multiple listed agents supports market expansion.

Future Outlook

Growth Drivers

  • Global expansion of electric and hybrid vehicle markets
  • Increasing demand for power semiconductors in renewable energy
  • Growing demand for high-frequency LSIs in IoT and 5G
  • Rising societal needs for energy-saving technologies and products
  • Strengthened custom LSI development to meet customer needs
  • Business expansion in Asia and the West in global markets
  • Creation of new semiconductor products through technological innovation
  • Growth in automation and smart industrial equipment markets
  • Enhanced corporate value centered on health management and sustainability
  • Competitive strengthening through technology collaboration with partners
  • Improved production efficiency via digitalization of semiconductor manufacturing
  • Product differentiation through new materials and manufacturing technologies

Strategic Goals

  • Maintain and expand top share in custom LSI market
  • Establish technology leadership in power semiconductors
  • Accelerate sales channel diversification and global expansion
  • Build sustainable manufacturing systems and reduce environmental impact
  • Continue Health & Productivity certification and improve employee satisfaction
  • Achieve ¥1 trillion in sales through new market creation
  • Increase ratio of high-value-added products
  • Strengthen next-generation product development through innovation promotion
  • Enhance collaboration with local communities and enrich CSR activities
  • Revolutionize business efficiency and quality control through DX

Business Segments

Automotive

Overview
Provides essential high-performance semiconductors for power control in EVs and hybrid vehicles.
Competitiveness
High-reliability, low-loss semiconductor technology for automotive use
Customers
  • Automobile manufacturers
  • Automotive parts suppliers
  • EV battery charge-discharge system manufacturers
  • EV manufacturers
Products
  • Power semiconductor devices
  • Automotive custom LSIs
  • Sensor ICs
  • High-voltage IGBT modules

Industrial Equipment

Overview
Provides semiconductors that enable energy savings and high efficiency in production sites.
Competitiveness
Flexible custom design capabilities
Customers
  • Industrial robot manufacturers
  • Machine tool manufacturers
  • Energy management companies
  • Automatic control equipment manufacturers
Products
  • Semiconductors for power electronics
  • Modules
  • Custom LSIs
  • Sensor devices

Information and Communications Equipment

Overview
Offers high-performance semiconductors for high-speed communications equipment.
Competitiveness
High-frequency LSI technology
Customers
  • Communications equipment manufacturers
  • Server manufacturers
  • Electronic device assemblers
  • Network equipment providers
Products
  • High-frequency LSIs
  • Integrated circuits
  • Passive components
  • Power management ICs

Consumer Electronics

Overview
Supplies semiconductor products used in consumer electronic devices.
Competitiveness
Energy-efficient design and high reliability
Customers
  • Home appliance manufacturers
  • Mobile device manufacturers
  • IoT device developers
  • AV equipment manufacturers
Products
  • Custom LSIs
  • Discrete semiconductors
  • Power devices
  • Passive components

Medical Equipment

Overview
Provides high-precision semiconductors suitable for medical settings.
Competitiveness
Strict quality control and low-noise design
Customers
  • Medical equipment manufacturers
  • Healthcare device developers
  • Precision equipment manufacturers
Products
  • High-precision ADCs
  • Custom LSI design
  • Sensor elements

Energy Related

Overview
Supplies efficient semiconductors for renewable energy.
Competitiveness
Superior energy-saving device design
Customers
  • Solar power companies
  • Wind power manufacturers
  • Smart grid companies
  • Energy storage system manufacturers
Products
  • Power semiconductors
  • Power management ICs
  • Custom LSIs

Semiconductor Packaging

Overview
Provides high-reliability semiconductor packaging technology.
Competitiveness
Diverse packaging technologies
Customers
  • Semiconductor manufacturers
  • Electronic components trading companies
  • EMS companies
Products
  • Ceramic packages
  • Lead frames
  • Module packages

Display Related Components

Overview
Manufactures semiconductors for LCD and organic EL displays.
Competitiveness
High-precision control technology
Customers
  • Display manufacturers
  • Smartphone manufacturers
  • Home appliance manufacturers
Products
  • Driver LSIs
  • Driver ICs
  • Passive components

Automotive Sensors

Overview
Develops and supplies highly reliable sensors for automotive applications.
Competitiveness
High environmental durability
Customers
  • Automotive equipment manufacturers
  • ADAS-related companies
Products
  • Acceleration sensors
  • Angular velocity sensors
  • Temperature sensors

Industrial Equipment

Overview
Product lineup contributing to energy savings and efficiency in industrial sites.
Competitiveness
Long life and high durability
Customers
  • Measurement equipment manufacturers
  • Inspection equipment companies
  • Industrial automation
Products
  • High-precision integrated circuits
  • Power devices
  • Passive components

Communications Infrastructure

Overview
Provides high-performance semiconductors for high-speed communications.
Competitiveness
Collaboration with cutting-edge communications technology
Customers
  • Base station manufacturers
  • Network equipment companies
Products
  • High-frequency ICs
  • Power devices
  • Energy management LSIs

Aerospace and Defense

Overview
Semiconductor products for areas requiring high reliability.
Competitiveness
Rigorous quality management system
Customers
  • Defense equipment manufacturers
  • Space equipment developers
Products
  • High-reliability LSIs
  • Power devices
  • Sensor technology

Competitive Advantage

Strengths

  • Advanced custom LSI design technology
  • High-reliability power semiconductor manufacturing capabilities
  • Diverse semiconductor product portfolio
  • Long-term regional ties centered in Kyoto
  • Excellent energy-saving technology and product development capabilities
  • Stable financial base and large capital
  • Growth through domestic and international technology partnerships and acquisitions
  • Proprietary non-volatile logic LSI development
  • Broad product deployment across industries
  • Robust quality control and production systems
  • Abundant patents and R&D track record
  • Organizational strength from Health & Productivity certification
  • Unique brand name derived from founder
  • Established wide sales channels
  • Global expansion across multiple countries

Competitive Advantages

  • Differentiation through industry-leading custom LSI development technology
  • Superiority in power semiconductors with energy efficiency and durability
  • Diversified strategy handling a wide range of electronic components
  • High technology concentration leveraging Kyoto R&D base
  • Unique strengths in semiconductor packaging technology
  • Stable revenue through deep cultivation of automotive and industrial equipment markets
  • Market lead with successful commercialization of non-volatile logic LSIs
  • Technology complementarity via partnerships and acquisitions with major global firms
  • Enhanced corporate image through health management and community contributions
  • Expanded market access via diversified sales channels
  • Focus on improving employee technical skills to maintain high-quality products
  • Sustainable growth based on long-term investment and financial strategies
  • Social recognition through product development considering environmental impact reduction
  • High customer satisfaction with flexible responses and made-to-order systems
  • Unique brand name less prominent publicly but highly rated by customers

Threats

  • Impact of global semiconductor supply-demand instability
  • Intensifying competition with major foreign companies
  • Burden of adapting to rapid technological evolution in semiconductor manufacturing equipment
  • Risks from international trade friction and export regulations
  • Cost increases due to fluctuating material prices
  • Cash flow strain from high equipment investment costs
  • Decline in market competitiveness from delays in new technology development
  • Intensified global competition for talent
  • Increased costs to comply with stricter environmental regulations
  • Financial risks from prolonged time to profitability recovery
  • Market fluctuations from electrification shift in automotive industry
  • Risks of technology leakage or cyber attacks

Innovations

2025: Mass production of low-power non-volatile logic LSI

Overview
Began mass production of LSIs with zero standby power consumption using non-volatile memory.
Impact
Improved market competitiveness through power consumption reduction

2024: Development of high-efficiency technology for SiC power devices

Overview
Established technology reducing power loss by 20% in silicon carbide power semiconductors.
Impact
Enhanced performance of power control equipment and contributions to energy savings

2023: Development of high-voltage LSIs for automotive use

Overview
Developed new high-voltage LSIs capable of withstanding harsh automotive environments.
Impact
Contributes to expanding share in automotive market

2022: Introduction of AI-integrated sensor technology

Overview
Implemented performance enhancements by equipping smart sensors with AI functions.
Impact
Opens applications in medical and industrial fields

2021: Promotion of digitalization in manufacturing processes

Overview
Significantly improved yield and quality through smart factory transformation.
Impact
Cost reductions and production efficiency improvements

2020: Development of electronic components for next-gen OLED

Overview
Successfully developed new electronic components for organic EL lighting control.
Impact
Entry into new markets and gaining technology recognition

Sustainability

  • Promotion of CO2 emission reduction plans in manufacturing processes
  • Maintaining over 90% waste recycling rate
  • Promoting employee health management and improving workplace environment
  • Expansion of low-environmental-impact products
  • Collaborative support for culture and environment with local communities
  • Development of energy-saving, resource-efficient semiconductor products
  • Sustainable supply chain management
  • Continuous maintenance and strengthening of ISO14001 certification
  • Promotion of water resource efficiency
  • Employee awareness improvement through environmental education
  • Energy savings via smart factory initiatives
  • Sharing and improving environmental challenges with partner companies