Ozu Corporation
Basic Information
- Stock Code
- 7487
- Industry
- Wholesale
- Category Detail
- Spinning & Textiles
- Prefecture
- Tokyo
- Establishment Year
- December 1939
- Listing Year
- February 1996
- Official Website
- https://www.ozu.co.jp/
- TSE Information
- TSE Information
- Yahoo! Finance
- Yahoo! Finance
- Other Companies
- Nippon Felts, Ichikawa, Mitsubishi Paper Mills, Okayama Paper, Habix, Otaka, Heiwa Paper
Overview
Ozu Corporation is a long-established company founded in 1939, centered on the processing and sales of nonwovens and paper products, with expansion into the medical field, and is one of Japan's leading wholesale and fiber processing companies.
Current Situation
Ozu Corporation achieved consolidated sales of approximately 40.4 billion yen in 2018 and has posted stable profits. It has strengths in the manufacturing and sales of nonwovens and specialty papers, and has entered the medical device field. Its head office is located in Chuo-ku, Tokyo, and it is expanding overseas through group companies. After listing on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Second Section in 2001, it transitioned to the First Section and moved to the Standard Market in 2023. From a sustainability perspective, it is working to reduce environmental impact and promoting business diversification through joint ventures and subsidiaries. Going forward, it plans to maintain market competitiveness by strengthening nonwoven technology and its wholesale distribution network, and expanding in the medical materials field. It is actively responding to recent changes in its management structure and deploying medium- to long-term growth strategies. It has a solid financial foundation, balancing growth investments with efficient capital management.
Trivia
Interesting Facts
- Known as a long-established paper wholesaler founded in 1653 during the Edo period
- Historic wholesale company listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Standard Market
- Has strong track record of advanced technology application in nonwovens for medical field
- Holds unique domestic share in agricultural seeder tape technology
- Washi business transferred to parent company Ozu Shoten
- Has led technological innovation in the industry for many years
- Expanding into Asia including China through subsidiaries
- Proprietary quality control system highly evaluated, demonstrating strengths in specialty fields
- Multiple major banks participate as major shareholders
- Head office located in Nihonbashi Honcho, same as Edo period founding site
- Maintains broad product lineup spanning multiple industries
- Business expanding due to increased demand for medical gowns, masks, etc.
- Focusing on development of eco-friendly products from early stage
- Actively implementing regional social contribution activities
- Continuously developing new materials through technological innovation
Hidden Connections
- Deep ties to traditional paper culture through washi business with parent company Ozu Shoten
- Joint development of advanced nonwoven technology with joint venture Asahi Kasei
- Strong industry linkages with major papermakers as major shareholders
- Agricultural seeder tape technology contributing to local agriculture promotion
- Subsidiary manufacturing bases in China connected to international logistics network
- Medical materials products playing important role in domestic infection control measures
- Fusion of traditional paper product manufacturing technology and cutting-edge nonwoven technology
- Sets and operates voluntary standards exceeding legal compliance for environmental conservation
Future Outlook
Growth Drivers
- Expansion of demand for high-function nonwovens in medical and hygiene fields
- Increasing market needs for eco-friendly products
- Spread of agricultural seeder technology and expansion of related markets
- Increase in overseas sales ratio through global expansion
- Acceleration of new materials and product development through technological innovation
- Production efficiency improvement through digital transformation
- Strengthening of domestic distribution network and development of new sales channels
- Increased demand for eco-friendly products accompanying stricter regulations
- Competitiveness enhancement through shift to high-value-added products
- Provision of customized products tailored to customer needs
Strategic Goals
- Achieve top domestic share in medical functional nonwovens field
- Eco-friendly products ratio exceeding 40% of sales
- Market share expansion and technological innovation in agricultural materials market
- Achieve over 30% sales ratio from overseas markets
- Achieve 30% reduction in company-wide CO2 emissions
- Create new products through increased R&D investment
- Strengthen response to market needs through diverse sales channels
- Improve labor productivity and strengthen human resource development
- Maximize group synergies and promote business diversification
- Enhance corporate value through strengthened CSR activities
Business Segments
Industrial Materials Wholesale
- Overview
- Wholesales high-quality paper and nonwoven products to various industries.
- Competitiveness
- High technological capability from the Edo period and extensive distribution network
- Customers
-
- Papermakers
- Electronic component manufacturers
- Medical device manufacturers
- Automotive parts manufacturers
- Chemical industry
- Packaging materials manufacturers
- Textile manufacturers
- Building materials manufacturers
- Food processors
- Environmental companies
- Agricultural materials manufacturers
- Printers
- Research institutions
- Logistics companies
- Hygiene product manufacturers
- Products
-
- Nonwoven products
- Specialty paper products
- Filter materials
- Industrial sheets
- Packaging materials
- Sanitary paper products
- Agricultural materials
- Functional materials
- Medical materials
- Eco-friendly materials
- Adhesive sheets
- Heat-resistant materials
- Insulating sheets
- Anti-static materials
- Flame-retardant sheets
Medical Materials Sales
- Overview
- Sells hygiene materials and nonwoven products used in medical sites.
- Competitiveness
- Provision of high-quality products compliant with medical standards
- Customers
-
- Hospitals and clinics
- Medical device sales companies
- Care facilities
- Pharmaceutical companies
- Dental clinics
- Hygiene management companies
- Surgical facilities
- Clinics
- Emergency medical institutions
- Research institutions
- Products
-
- Medical nonwovens
- Surgical gowns
- Sterilized gauze
- Medical masks
- Hygiene protective gear
- Wound care products
- Diagnostic test materials
- Infection prevention products
- Disposable gloves
- Hygiene materials
Household Paper and Daily Sundries Wholesale
- Overview
- Contributes to daily life through wholesale of household paper products and daily sundries.
- Competitiveness
- Rich product lineup and processing technology
- Customers
-
- Supermarkets
- Drugstores
- Mail-order businesses
- Convenience stores
- Variety shops
- Mass retailers
- Specialty stores
- EC operators
- Department stores
- Home centers
- Products
-
- Toilet paper
- Tissue paper
- Kitchen paper
- Wet tissues
- Disposable products
- Paper storage products
- Cleaning paper products
- Hygiene products
- Wrapping paper
- Deodorizing sheets
Agricultural Materials Sales
- Overview
- Provides agricultural materials centered on innovative seeder farming materials.
- Competitiveness
- Proprietary seeder technology and agricultural materials development capabilities
- Customers
-
- Agricultural corporations
- Agricultural cooperatives (JA)
- Seedling suppliers
- Farm equipment manufacturers
- Agricultural product processors
- Environmental conservation groups
- Agricultural materials wholesalers
- Agricultural technology research institutes
- Industry associations
- Products
-
- Seeder tape
- Tape seeder
- Seedling materials
- Water-retention sheets
- Insect prevention nets
- Greenhouse materials
- Soil improvement materials
- Agricultural nonwovens
- Mulch film
- Environmental conservation materials
Eco-Friendly Products Wholesale
- Overview
- Contributes to a sustainable society through supply of environmentally considerate products.
- Competitiveness
- Product development and quality control compliant with environmental regulations
- Customers
-
- Environmental companies
- Local governments
- Industrial waste processors
- Recycling businesses
- Papermakers
- Trading companies
- General companies
- NGOs
- Educational institutions
- Research institutions
- Products
-
- Biomass nonwovens
- Recycled paper
- Eco-label products
- Biodegradable packaging
- Energy-saving materials
- Low-carbon products
- Circular resources
- Environmentally certified products
- Eco packaging materials
- Green products
Industrial Functional Materials Sales
- Overview
- Provides advanced functional materials to customers in industrial fields.
- Competitiveness
- High-function material development capabilities from years of technological accumulation
- Customers
-
- Electronic device manufacturers
- Automakers
- Chemical industry
- Construction companies
- Precision machinery manufacturers
- Disaster prevention materials companies
- Energy-related companies
- Industrial machinery manufacturers
- Environmental equipment manufacturers
- Aerospace companies
- Products
-
- Anti-static nonwovens
- Heat-resistant sheets
- Battery separators
- Insulating materials
- Flame-retardant materials
- Adhesive sheets
- Filter materials
- Disaster prevention products
- Chemical-resistant sheets
- High-function sheets
Logistics and Import/Export Support
- Overview
- Supports domestic and international logistics distribution with materials and consulting.
- Competitiveness
- Product strength and network capable of meeting diverse logistics needs
- Customers
-
- Global manufacturers
- Wholesalers
- Trading companies
- Retailers
- Overseas sales agents
- Importers/exporters
- Transportation companies
- Warehousing companies
- Customs brokers
- Logistics consultants
- Products
-
- Import/export packaging materials
- Logistics protection film
- Cushioning materials
- Shipping packaging
- Packing paper
- Storage materials
- Transport sheets
- Insulating materials
- Cargo securing tools
- Customs-related materials
R&D and Technical Support
- Overview
- Provides R&D support and joint projects.
- Competitiveness
- Technological capabilities from industry-academia collaboration and long track record
- Customers
-
- Universities
- Research institutions
- Venture companies
- National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
- Medical research institutes
- Paper processing research institutes
- Environmental technology research institutes
- Government agencies
- Consulting companies
- Technical corporations
- Products
-
- Technical consulting
- Joint research projects
- Material evaluation services
- New material prototyping
- Product improvement support
- Patent technology provision
- Analysis services
- Performance testing
- Environmental testing
- Processing technology development
Marketing and Sales Support
- Overview
- Services to support product market penetration and sales expansion.
- Competitiveness
- Extensive wholesale experience and broad sales network
- Customers
-
- SMEs
- Large companies
- Manufacturing
- Wholesale
- Retail
- Online sales operators
- New business development companies
- Overseas companies
- Advertising agencies
- EC operators
- Products
-
- Sales channel development support
- Market analysis
- Promotion planning
- Brand management
- Distribution channel construction
- Sales strategy formulation
- Product planning support
- Customer needs research
- Advertising production
- Campaign management
Transport Equipment Provision
- Overview
- Provides proprietary agricultural seeding machines and other transport-related equipment.
- Competitiveness
- High-precision machine design and customization to customer needs
- Customers
-
- Agricultural businesses
- Manufacturing
- Transporters
- Industrial machinery introducers
- Logistics companies
- Auto repair shops
- Farm equipment sellers
- Local governments
- R&D facilities
- Construction companies
- Products
-
- Tape seeder
- Agricultural seeders
- Transport equipment parts
- Machinery parts
- Industrial machinery
- Agricultural machinery
- Custom devices
- Maintenance supplies
- Transport equipment consumables
- Assembly mechanism parts
Environmental Protection Products Sales
- Overview
- Deploys a wide range of products useful for reducing environmental impact.
- Competitiveness
- Product development emphasizing sustainability
- Customers
-
- Local governments
- Environmental NPOs
- Corporate CSR departments
- Educational institutions
- Waste processors
- Papermakers
- Agricultural associations
- Research institutions
- Trading companies
- General households
- Products
-
- Waste reduction materials
- Recycling promotion products
- Eco-label products
- Energy-saving materials
- Environmentally certified products
- Eco packaging materials
- Bio materials
- Environmental conservation items
- Biodegradable products
- Green products
OEM and Contract Processing
- Overview
- Meets diverse needs through contract processing production.
- Competitiveness
- Rich processing know-how and high-quality management system
- Customers
-
- Manufacturing
- Medical device manufacturers
- Food industry
- Cosmetics manufacturers
- Agricultural materials manufacturers
- Paper product manufacturers
- Distributors
- Trading companies
- Logistics companies
- Technology development ventures
- Products
-
- Nonwoven processed products
- Paper processed products
- Medical materials processing
- Packaging materials contract processing
- Product prototyping
- Quality control support
- Manufacturing outsourcing
- Product customization
- Processing technology provision
- New material development support
Competitive Advantage
Strengths
- Long history and tradition dating back to the Edo period
- Advanced development capabilities in specialty nonwoven technology
- Diversified business portfolio
- Stable financial base and profit margins
- Extensive domestic and international sales network
- Strong business expansion in the medical field
- Collaboration system with group companies
- Active efforts to reduce environmental impact
- Flexible response to diverse customer needs
- Advanced quality control system
- Strengthened collaboration with capital partners
- Regionally rooted sales expansion
- Advanced functionalization of production equipment
- Rapid adaptability to market changes
- Number of patents held for proprietary technologies
Competitive Advantages
- High expertise in industrial specialty paper and nonwovens
- Expansion of domestic share in medical nonwoven products
- Customer trust based on historic brand
- Collaboration with joint ventures on technology and product development
- Risk diversification through business spanning multiple industries
- Manufacturing and sales collaboration via subsidiaries and affiliates
- Product customization responsive to market needs
- Early development and market launch of environmentally regulated products
- Well-established sales channels and sales organization
- Development and deployment of sustainable materials and eco products
- Leadership in R&D of high-function materials
- Sustainable growth strategy in collaboration with local communities
- Proprietary agricultural materials seeder tape technology
- Thorough quality control and technical verification system
- Diverse procurement network supporting stable supply
Threats
- Risk of fluctuations in raw material prices
- Decline in demand due to shrinking domestic population
- Technological innovation and price competition from overseas rivals
- Cost increases due to stricter environmental regulations
- Intensified competition from increasing new entrants
- Profit instability risk from exchange rate fluctuations
- Shortening product life cycles
- Fluctuations in medical demand due to new infectious diseases, etc.
- Supply chain disruptions from geopolitical risks
- Concerns over technology leakage and intellectual property infringement
- Decline in productivity due to labor shortages
- Increasing costs for regulatory compliance
Innovations
2023: Development of High-Function Medical Nonwovens
- Overview
- Developed new medical nonwovens combining antibacterial properties and moisture permeability.
- Impact
- Contributed to expanded product adoption in medical settings and 10% sales increase
2022: Mass Production of Eco-Friendly Biomass Nonwovens
- Overview
- Achieved sustainable product deployment with plant-derived material-based nonwovens.
- Impact
- Enhanced market competitiveness through expansion of eco product line
2024: Introduction of Automation in Specialty Paper Manufacturing Process
- Overview
- Introduced latest automation equipment to significantly improve production efficiency.
- Impact
- Achieved 15% reduction in production costs and quality stabilization
2021: Acquisition of Patent for Proprietary Seeder Tape Technology
- Overview
- Obtained international patent for manufacturing method of agricultural seeder tape.
- Impact
- Established exclusive market superiority in agricultural materials field
2023: Development of Antiviral Processing Technology for Medical Packaging
- Overview
- Developed antiviral packaging materials effective for infection control.
- Impact
- Sales expansion due to increased demand from medical institutions
2022: Expansion of New Product Line Using Recycled Materials
- Overview
- Strengthened lineup of recycled nonwoven products.
- Impact
- Contributed to environmental regulation compliance and improved corporate image
2024: Introduction of AI Inspection System in Production Sites
- Overview
- Utilized AI technology in product quality control to improve inspection accuracy.
- Impact
- Achieved 20% reduction in defect rate and cost savings
2023: Development of New Formulation for Hygiene Wet Tissues
- Overview
- Launched new products balancing sterilizing effects and skin gentleness.
- Impact
- Contributed to market share expansion
2021: Production Capacity Expansion Accompanying Export Growth to Southeast Asia
- Overview
- Expanded production facilities in response to local demand growth.
- Impact
- Achieved 20% increase in export sales
2022: Evolution of Manufacturing Technology for Oil- and Water-Resistant Specialty Paper
- Overview
- Manufactured specialty paper products with enhanced environmental resistance.
- Impact
- Expanded sales of high-value-added products
Sustainability
- Development and active introduction of biomass materials
- Ongoing efforts to reduce CO2 emissions at factories
- Promotion of recycling activities for used products
- Expansion and promotion of eco-friendly packaging materials
- Company-wide energy-saving and power-saving promotion program
- Management of supply chain environmental impact reduction
- Regular environmental education for employees
- Hosting environmental conservation events in collaboration with local residents
- Establishment and operation of sustainable procurement standards
- Factory operations aiming for zero waste