Iceco

Basic Information

Stock Code
7698
Industry
Wholesale Industry
Category Detail
Food Wholesalers
Prefecture
Kanagawa Prefecture
Establishment Year
May 1952
Listing Year
April 2021
Official Website
https://www.iceco.co.jp/
TSE Information
TSE Information
Yahoo! Finance
Yahoo! Finance
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Overview

Iceco is a leading company in the food wholesale industry, specializing in the wholesale of ice cream products and frozen foods since its founding in 1952, with a robust logistics network centered in the southern Kanto region.

Current Situation

Iceco maintained solid operations in the fiscal year ended March 2021 with net sales of approximately 40.5 billion yen and operating profit of approximately 800 million yen. Its main business is the wholesale of ice cream and frozen foods, with bases mainly in the southern Kanto and Tokai regions, providing integrated services from product management to logistics. It also operates the supermarket business through Super Fresh Produce Hall TAIGA, strengthening community-based sales. Compared to main competitors in the industry, it has strengths in logistics efficiency and regionally specialized services. In recent years, it has promoted partnerships with overseas brands and private label development to expand its product lineup. It is also focusing on sustainability activities such as reducing environmental impact and building stable supply systems. Generational turnover in management is progressing, and going forward, it aims to improve efficiency and enter new markets through innovations in IT and logistics technology. It will continue to pursue sustainable growth based on the expansion of the frozen food market and regional closeness strategies.

Trivia

Interesting Facts

  • Has a history starting from ice candy production in 1948
  • Operates 'Super Fresh Produce Hall TAIGA' with 8 stores in Kanagawa Prefecture
  • Partnered with famous ice cream manufacturers from New Zealand
  • Owns a meat specialty subsidiary supplying local butcher shops
  • Newly listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in 2021
  • Chairman of the Board is Aihara from the founding family
  • Unusually operates a supermarket business as a food wholesaler
  • Multiple logistics centers installed across regions to strengthen frozen food distribution
  • Full-scale business frozen food wholesaling since 1997
  • Progressing with absorption mergers of subsidiaries to integrate group management
  • Promoting product development featuring private labels
  • Successfully improved work efficiency with introduction of state-of-the-art logistics technology
  • Stores focus on local ingredients, gaining support from local residents
  • Implemented strengthening of ownership through employee stock ownership plan
  • Has capital ties with Ezaki Glico

Hidden Connections

  • Ezaki Glico is one of the major shareholders, with strong partnership ties in the food industry.
  • Exclusive import positions built through partnerships with multiple New Zealand ice cream manufacturers.
  • Strong network with local institutions through regional supermarket operations.
  • Expanding scope of food wholesaling to include insurance agency business within the group for diversified management.
  • Funabashi logistics center serves as a key hub for frozen food distribution in the metropolitan area.
  • In local Kanagawa Prefecture, supermarket and wholesaling businesses closely collaborate to support the regional market.
  • Strengthening brand power in the food retail industry through Cookie Time license agreement.
  • Strong leadership from president and chairman from the founding family contributes to management stability.

Future Outlook

Growth Drivers

  • Expansion of the frozen food market and increasing demand
  • Strengthening of regional closeness management centered in southern Kanto
  • Differentiation through private label strategy
  • Cost reductions via logistics efficiency and IT adoption
  • Enhanced product development reflecting health trends
  • New market development using EC and mail order
  • Transaction expansion in the business food market
  • Expansion of partnerships with overseas brands

Strategic Goals

  • Achieve net sales of 50 billion yen and improve operating profit margin
  • Innovate logistics and packaging to reduce environmental impact
  • Expand domestic share of private labels
  • Increase number of regional supermarkets by 1.5 times
  • Enhance corporate value through achievement of sustainability goals

Business Segments

Food Wholesaling

Overview
Provides stable supply of ice cream, frozen foods, and other products to food wholesalers.
Competitiveness
Efficient logistics network centered in southern Kanto and integrated management system
Customers
  • Supermarkets
  • Restaurant Chains
  • School Lunch Providers
  • Business Food Suppliers
  • Retail Stores
  • Convenience Stores
Products
  • Ice Cream Wholesaling
  • Frozen Food Wholesaling
  • Business Frozen Ingredients
  • Frozen Sweets
  • Private Label Products

Supermarket Operations

Overview
Operates 8 community-based supermarkets under the 'Super Fresh Produce Hall TAIGA' brand.
Competitiveness
Regionally specialized services and fresh ingredient management
Customers
  • General Consumers
  • Local Residents
Products
  • Fresh Foods
  • Prepared Foods
  • Frozen Foods
  • General Foods

Meat Specialty Store Tenant Operations

Overview
Deploys meat specialty store tenants mainly in Kanagawa Prefecture to support meat demand.
Competitiveness
Strict quality-controlled specialty store operations
Customers
  • Supermarkets
  • Meat Retailers
Products
  • Wagyu Beef
  • Domestic Chicken
  • Processed Meat Products

Insurance Agency Services

Overview
Conducts insurance agency business through affiliates to support risk management.
Competitiveness
Trust-based relationships rooted in the local community
Customers
  • General Consumers
  • Small and Medium Enterprises
Products
  • Casualty Insurance
  • Life Insurance
  • Business Insurance

Competitive Advantage

Strengths

  • Robust logistics network concentrated in southern Kanto
  • Strength in private labels
  • Track record in community-based supermarket operations
  • Extensive experience in business food wholesaling
  • Long-term stable management by the leadership team

Competitive Advantages

  • High market share as a specialized ice cream wholesaler
  • Rapid product supply through multi-location efficient logistics bases
  • Strengthened partnerships with overseas brands such as those from New Zealand
  • Diversified revenue from hybrid store and wholesale business model
  • Strong trading relationships with high-quality food delivery destinations

Threats

  • Intensifying competition in the frozen food market
  • Risk of fluctuations in raw material prices
  • Strengthened regulations on food safety and quality
  • Cost increases due to rising logistics expenses
  • Rapid changes in consumer preferences

Innovations

2023: Private Label Strengthening

Overview
Expanded New Zealand products and in-house developed goods.
Impact
Sales growth and brand recognition improvement

2022: Logistics Center Efficiency Initiative

Overview
Introduced automated sorting systems at logistics centers in Kanagawa and Chiba.
Impact
20% reduction in picking time and lower error shipment rate

2021: Digital Sales Channel Expansion

Overview
Strengthened new customer acquisition and market development using EC sites.
Impact
Online sales grew to 5% of total sales

Sustainability

  • CO2 emissions reduction through adoption of high-efficiency freezing technology
  • Enhanced inventory management to reduce food waste
  • Promotion of switch to environmentally friendly packaging materials
  • Local cleanup activities and food loss awareness campaigns
  • Employee education to raise sustainability awareness