Harima Kyowa Bussan

Basic Information

Stock Code
7444
Industry
Wholesale
Category Detail
Consumer Products Wholesalers
Prefecture
Hyogo Prefecture
Establishment Year
March 1951
Listing Year
May 1995
Official Website
https://www.harimakb.co.jp/
TSE Information
TSE Information
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Other Companies
Arata, Kyoryo Joho Tsushin, Sakurai Seizo, Nakayama Fuku, Cop Corporation, MTG, Sohbido, Unicharm, Laox Holdings, Paltac, KYCOM

Overview

Harima Kyowa Bussan was established in 1951, based in Hyogo Prefecture, and is a mid-sized company in the household products wholesale industry, primarily engaged in the wholesale of household detergents and daily sundries.

Current Situation

Harima Kyowa Bussan recorded consolidated sales of approximately 45.1 billion yen and consolidated net assets of approximately 15.5 billion yen in the fiscal year ended March 2017, maintaining a stable financial base. Its core business of wholesaling daily consumer goods such as detergent-related products, household paper, and cosmetics-related items is expanding nationwide centered on the Kinki region, with a wide sales network. It also operates contract logistics and warehousing businesses, leveraging strengths in logistics processing to add value. In recent years, it has focused on expanding transactions with large multi-store retailers and reducing costs through logistics efficiency improvements. Leveraging its long history since its founding in 1907, it balances steady performance growth with regionally rooted management. On the sustainability front, it is committed to stable supply of hygiene products and regional contributions, aiming for long-term business continuity. Moving forward, it seeks further growth by strengthening warehousing and logistics services and developing new product lines. It is also focusing on enhancing corporate governance to promote sound management practices.

Trivia

Interesting Facts

  • Founded in 1907, started as a tatami mat wholesaler
  • Expanding nationwide based in the Kinki region
  • Deploys diverse logistics centers nationwide, strong in contract logistics
  • Capital exceeding 700 million yen with solid financial base
  • 867 standalone employees, 1,193 consolidated (as of March 2024)
  • Listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Standard Market
  • Major shareholders include regional financial institutions and related companies
  • Stable position as a mid-tier daily sundries wholesaler
  • Strong collaboration with multiple subsidiaries and group companies
  • Proactive in environmentally friendly products and logistics efficiency
  • Continuously implementing regional social contribution activities
  • Aggressively introducing IT systems despite being an established company
  • Supports broad business through diverse partnerships
  • Flexibly responding to changes in industrial structure
  • Expert in logistics processing and warehousing

Hidden Connections

  • Established regionally rooted management system with support from local financial institutions
  • Strong trading relationships with major retailers such as Nishimatsuya Chain
  • Successfully diversified business by establishing subsidiary with joint investment from Marubeni Corporation
  • Built extensive distribution network across western Japan through multiple regional subsidiaries
  • Operates manufacturing business specialized in toiletries through subsidiary
  • Owns multiple logistics centers and has established its own delivery system
  • Long-term leadership by the Tsuda family contributing to management stability
  • Contributes to improving regional sustainability through supply of environmentally responsive products

Future Outlook

Growth Drivers

  • Cost reduction through logistics automation and efficiency
  • Expanding demand for environmentally friendly products
  • Expanded utilization of diverse sales channels
  • Strengthening regionally rooted customer services
  • Growth in hygiene and deodorizing products market
  • E-commerce market expansion and digital strategy enhancement
  • Increasing demand for B2B logistics services
  • Promotion of new product development and market launch
  • Maintaining brand power in mature markets
  • Management stabilization through organizational strengthening
  • Product development responding to regulatory strengthening
  • Corporate value enhancement through social contribution activities

Strategic Goals

  • Further strengthening regional base and accelerating nationwide expansion
  • Achieve over 50% automation rate in logistics facilities
  • Environmentally friendly products accounting for over 40% of sales
  • Expansion of digital sales channels and improved customer experience
  • Ongoing deployment of sustainable social contribution programs
  • Profitability improvement through maximization of group synergies
  • Advanced safety and hygiene management systems
  • 10% sales increase through new market development
  • Organizational resilience through diverse talent acquisition and development
  • Improved evaluation as a socially responsible company

Business Segments

Daily Necessities Wholesaling

Overview
Handles daily consumer goods for diverse retailers and facilities, supplying nationwide through an extensive distribution network.
Competitiveness
Stable supply achieved through extensive logistics network and regionally rooted sales capabilities
Customers
  • Supermarkets
  • Drugstore chains
  • Convenience stores
  • Home centers
  • Specialty stores
  • Internet mail order businesses
  • Hotels and inns
  • School lunch providers
  • Medical and nursing care facilities
Products
  • Household detergents
  • Toilet paper
  • Hygiene products
  • Cosmetics-related products
  • Daily sundries
  • Packaging materials
  • Cleaning supplies
  • Disinfectants and deodorizers
  • Lifestyle sundries

Logistics and Contract Processing Services

Overview
Provides contract logistics services combining warehouse functions and logistics processing to support efficient supply chains.
Competitiveness
Latest logistics facilities and flexible customization capabilities
Customers
  • Manufacturers
  • Retailers
  • Wholesalers
  • Logistics companies
Products
  • Logistics operations
  • Warehouse management
  • Picking
  • Packing operations
  • Delivery arrangements

Real Estate Leasing

Overview
Secures revenue through leasing operations centered on owned logistics centers.
Competitiveness
Strategic locations and diverse facility configurations
Customers
  • Logistics companies
  • Retailers
  • Manufacturers
Products
  • Logistics facility leasing
  • Office leasing

Support for Lifestyle Goods Manufacturing Subsidiaries

Overview
Supports product manufacturing and sales of related subsidiaries, enhancing group-wide synergies.
Competitiveness
Integrated service provision through group collaboration
Customers
  • Group subsidiaries
  • Related companies
Products
  • Product planning support
  • Logistics support
  • Sales promotion support

Cosmetics and Hygiene Products Wholesaling

Overview
Handles specialized products in specific fields to meet diverse customer needs.
Competitiveness
Specialized knowledge and services in niche markets
Customers
  • Drugstores
  • Specialty cosmetics stores
  • Mail order businesses
  • Hospitals and nursing facilities
Products
  • Basic cosmetics
  • Skin care products
  • Hygiene materials
  • Beauty-related sundries

Packaging Materials Wholesaling

Overview
Supplies a wide range of packaging materials from food-related to lifestyle sundries, responding to diverse packaging needs.
Competitiveness
Rich lineup of environmentally responsive products
Customers
  • Food manufacturers
  • Retailers
  • Wholesalers
Products
  • Food packaging materials
  • Gift packaging supplies
  • Environmentally friendly packaging materials

Hygiene Products Development and Sales Support

Overview
Provides comprehensive support from new product development to sales promotion.
Competitiveness
Rapid product development responsive to market trends
Customers
  • Manufacturers
  • Sales agents
Products
  • Disinfectant products
  • Deodorizers
  • Hygiene-related products

Pet Products Wholesaling

Overview
Wholesales specialized products for the pet market to meet growing demand.
Competitiveness
Product development specialized in growth sectors
Customers
  • Pet shops
  • Home centers
  • E-commerce sellers
Products
  • Pet wet sheets
  • Deodorizing sprays
  • Pet mats

Cleaning Supplies Wholesaling

Overview
Offers a rich assortment of cleaning tools from commercial to household use.
Competitiveness
Reliability through product assortment and quality control
Customers
  • Cleaning companies
  • Facility management companies
  • General retailers
Products
  • Mops
  • Brushes
  • Cleaners

Seasonal Products Wholesaling

Overview
Accurately responds to seasonal product demands to ensure stable supply.
Competitiveness
Market insight and rapid supply for seasonal goods
Customers
  • Retailers
  • Mail order companies
  • Specialty stores
Products
  • Disposable body warmers
  • Insect repellent sprays
  • Cooling bags

Kitchen Products Wholesaling

Overview
Wholesaling business centered on cooking utensils and consumables.
Competitiveness
Flexible response to diverse customer needs
Customers
  • Home centers
  • Supermarkets
  • Mail order businesses
Products
  • Cutting boards
  • Wraps
  • Sponges

Household Goods Packaging Wholesaling

Overview
Enriched packaging materials for household goods and gifts.
Competitiveness
Diverse designs and environmentally friendly product rollout
Customers
  • Retail stores
  • Gift shops
  • Corporate gift departments
Products
  • Wrapping paper
  • Ribbons
  • Packaging bags

Competitive Advantage

Strengths

  • Extensive and diverse logistics network
  • Customer trust built through long-term regional closeness
  • Diversified wholesaling business
  • Contract logistics processing service capabilities
  • Product development tailored to customer needs
  • Stable financial base
  • Broad product lineup
  • Flexible supply chain management
  • Enriched environmentally friendly products
  • Service enhancement through group collaboration
  • Stable employee numbers and regional contributions
  • Introduction of latest logistics equipment
  • Utilization of diverse sales channels
  • Long-term relationship building with trading partners
  • Employee training and technology succession

Competitive Advantages

  • Strong sales base centered on Kinki region with nationwide expansion capabilities
  • Diverse product offerings and broad customer coverage in daily sundries wholesaling
  • Value addition through integration of logistics and wholesaling
  • Brand power from long history and regional closeness
  • Differentiation through continuous introduction of environmentally friendly products
  • Stable product supply through subsidiary collaboration
  • Efficient operations via latest warehouse and logistics equipment
  • Market penetration through diverse sales channels
  • Flexible and prompt customer response capabilities
  • Service quality assurance through employee expertise enhancement
  • Response capabilities to diverse wholesaling industry market needs
  • Trust relationship building with customers over the long term
  • Competitive strengthening through flexible pricing and product selection
  • Corporate image improvement through social contribution activities
  • Extensive reach via widely distributed own logistics centers

Threats

  • Stricter transaction terms due to retail industry consolidation
  • Profit pressure from rising logistics costs
  • Intensified price competition with competitors
  • Rapid changes in consumer preferences
  • Cost increases from strengthened environmental regulations
  • Raw material price fluctuation risks
  • Market share competition from new entrants
  • Impact of labor shortages on logistics operations
  • Temporary disruption of logistics networks due to natural disasters
  • Delays in responding to technology transformations
  • Impact of regulatory revisions on business operations
  • Increased administrative burden from strengthened controls

Innovations

2024: Expansion of automation introduction in logistics centers

Overview
Accelerating the introduction of automated picking systems in logistics centers nationwide.
Impact
20% improvement in operational efficiency, significant reduction in human errors

2023: Strengthening lineup of environmentally friendly products

Overview
Expanded lineup of biodegradable packaging materials and eco detergents to meet market needs.
Impact
15% of sales shifted to environmentally friendly products

2022: Advanced sales management through IT systems

Overview
Integrated management of sales and logistics information to improve demand forecasting accuracy.
Impact
15% improvement in inventory turnover, reduction in stockouts

2021: Joint development of new hygiene deodorizing products

Overview
Jointly developed high-performance disinfectant deodorizing products with a major chemical manufacturer.
Impact
New product well-received in market, acquiring new customers

Sustainability

  • CO2 emissions reduction through introduction of energy-saving logistics equipment
  • Expansion of packaging materials promoting plastic reduction
  • Ongoing regional cleanup activities and social contribution programs
  • Efforts to improve waste recycling rate
  • Systematic environmental education for employees
  • Promotion of product development mindful of reducing environmental impact
  • Active sales expansion of eco-certified products
  • Strengthening environmental standards in supply chain
  • Paperless promotion through digitalization
  • Labor environment improvement through thorough safety and hygiene management
  • Building sustainable logistics systems through regional collaboration
  • Internal system development aiming for diversity and better work environment