Platz

Basic Information

Stock Code
7813
Industry
Other Products
Category Detail
Healthcare & Nursing Care
Prefecture
Fukuoka Prefecture
Establishment Year
June 1995
Listing Year
March 2015
Official Website
https://www.platz-ltd.co.jp/
TSE Information
TSE Information
Yahoo! Finance
Yahoo! Finance
Other Companies
Nippon Care Supply, Kowa Seisakusho, Paramount Bed Holdings, France Bed Holdings, Seven Kogyo, Asahi Kagaku, NJ

Overview

Platz is a Fukuoka-headquartered manufacturer and seller of nursing care and medical beds, established in 1992, that has built a unique position in the domestic nursing bed market by emphasizing low price and high quality.

Current Situation

Platz recorded consolidated sales of approximately 6.39 billion yen and net profit of approximately 65.68 million yen for the fiscal year ending June 2024, maintaining a stable business foundation. Its flagship electric nursing care beds feature simplified, low-priced models that are a strength, with sales channels expanding mainly to elderly care facilities in Japan. In recent years, it has also begun manufacturing and selling beds for medical facilities, advancing business diversification. In 2024, it established a joint venture with China's Haier, accelerating overseas expansion and strategically advancing into the Chinese market. It strengthened its urethane foam processing base through subsidiary acquisitions, focusing on improving product quality and cost competitiveness. Moving forward, it aims to expand market share by responding to growing nursing care demand amid an aging society, through new technology development and enhanced price competitiveness. It is also addressing environmental burden reduction for sustainable business operations and has formulated a long-term growth strategy. By switching to the Tokyo Stock Exchange Standard Market, it seeks to improve corporate recognition and fundraising capabilities. Amid intensifying competition, developing high-quality products with excellent cost performance remains key to competitive advantage.

Trivia

Interesting Facts

  • Broke industry common sense by providing nursing care beds for under 100,000 yen.
  • Regional company headquartered in Onojo City, Fukuoka Prefecture.
  • Established joint venture with China's major appliance Haier Group.
  • Began selling electric nursing care beds in 1997.
  • Pursues high-quality products at prices affordable even for children and grandchildren.
  • Developed nursing bed where Japanese tatami reclines.
  • Established manufacturing subsidiary in Vietnam to secure cost competitiveness.
  • Has production lines through in-house manufacturing and subsidiary collaboration.
  • In 2024, made Yamato Sangyo a subsidiary to strengthen material processing capabilities.
  • Listed on Tokyo Stock Exchange Standard Market and Fukuoka Stock Exchange Q-Board.
  • Entered manufacturing and sales of medical facility beds from 2016.
  • Number of employees is 140 as of June 2024.
  • Paid-in capital is 582.05 million yen, mid-sized company.
  • Consolidated total assets approximately 6.27 billion yen, stable financial position.
  • Major shareholders include EKS Co., Ltd. and Vietnamese companies.

Hidden Connections

  • Through partnership with Haier, advancing cross-industry fusion of home appliances and welfare equipment.
  • Holds Fuiraku Ji (Shanghai) Trading Co., Ltd. in group, accelerating sales channels in China market.
  • Achieves production efficiency in Asia region through Vietnam factory operations.
  • Acquired advanced urethane foam processing technology through Yamato Sangyo Co., Ltd. acquisition.
  • Competes with Paramount Bed and France Bed while pioneering low-price market.
  • As regional company, actively involved in local Fukuoka Prefecture welfare and nursing support initiatives.
  • Nursing bed reclining tatami fuses Japan's unique traditional housing culture.
  • Transferred Vietnam subsidiary shares to focus management resources.

Future Outlook

Growth Drivers

  • Increasing nursing demand amid Japan's aging society
  • Sales expansion in Asia centered on China
  • Business expansion through full entry into medical bed market
  • Competitiveness enhancement through cost reduction and advanced product development
  • Improvement in customer service and sales efficiency via IT utilization
  • Market share expansion through domestic and overseas sales network buildup
  • Corporate value improvement through sustainability management
  • Product differentiation through active introduction of latest technologies
  • Strengthened collaboration with nursing facilities and rapid response to needs
  • Promotion of new markets and products through industry collaborations

Strategic Goals

  • Achieve over 30% sales ratio in Asia including China
  • Secure over 20% domestic market share in nursing and medical beds
  • New customer development through product lineup expansion and diversification
  • Improve manufacturing efficiency by over 20% through investments
  • Thorough implementation of environmental burden reduction and resource recycling management
  • Over 50% ratio of sustainability-certified products
  • Advanced customer service through introduction of cutting-edge IT technologies
  • Improve talent development level through employee technical education strengthening
  • Strengthen overseas partnerships and expand joint venture model
  • Strengthen business foundation through continuous profit margin improvements

Business Segments

Nursing Facility Product Sales

Overview
Provides high-quality, low-cost nursing-related products specialized for nursing facilities, supporting operational efficiency.
Competitiveness
Product lineup optimized for welfare facility needs with excellent cost performance.
Customers
  • Nursing Homes
  • Special Nursing Homes for the Elderly
  • Day Service Centers
  • Care Managers
  • Welfare Equipment Rental Companies
  • Welfare Facility Managers
  • Care Helpers
  • Welfare Equipment Retailers
  • Medical Welfare Consultants
  • Government Welfare Departments
Products
  • Electric Nursing Care Beds
  • Nursing Care Mattresses
  • Bed Accessories
  • Nursing Care Aids
  • Safety Rails
  • Side Tables
  • Fall Prevention Products
  • Call Systems
  • Bedsore Prevention Products
  • Hygiene Management Products

Medical Institution Beds and Equipment

Overview
Proposes high-function medical beds and peripheral equipment supporting safety and comfort in medical institutions.
Competitiveness
Rapid supply system for medical standard-compliant products.
Customers
  • Hospitals
  • Clinics
  • Rehabilitation Centers
  • Acute Care Facilities
  • Geriatric Health Service Facilities
  • Medical Equipment Distributors
  • Doctors
  • Nurses
  • Medical Welfare Equipment Rental Companies
  • Medical Institution Managers
Products
  • Electric Medical Beds
  • Bedsore Prevention Mattresses
  • Patient Transfer Aids
  • Rehab Support Equipment
  • Nurse Call Systems
  • Safety Rails
  • Consumables
  • Hygiene Products
  • Clinical Assist Chairs
  • Medical Environment Protection Products

Manufacturing and Processing Outsourcing

Overview
Handles everything from high-quality parts processing to assembly, supporting manufacturing operations.
Competitiveness
Cost efficiency through collaboration with Vietnam and China subsidiaries.
Customers
  • Related Medical Equipment Manufacturers
  • Welfare Equipment Manufacturers
  • Parts Wholesalers
  • Special Parts Requesters
  • Related Subsidiaries
  • Joint Ventures
  • Business Partners
  • OEM Clients
  • Overseas Bases
  • Material Suppliers
Products
  • Urethane Foam Processing
  • Metal Parts Assembly
  • Resin Molding Processing
  • Assembled Parts Supply
  • Quality Inspection
  • Product Verification Services
  • Logistics Packaging
  • Painting Processing
  • Manufacturing Technology Support
  • Production Efficiency Equipment

Overseas Market Development and Sales

Overview
Actively establishing joint ventures mainly in China and Asia markets.
Competitiveness
Rapid market entry through partnerships with local major companies.
Customers
  • China Market Distributors
  • Overseas Medical Facilities
  • Nursing Equipment Exporters
  • Overseas Agents
  • Joint Ventures
  • International Logistics Companies
  • Overseas Customers
  • Major Distribution Chains
  • Overseas Medical Exhibitions
  • Foreign Government Agencies
Products
  • Nursing Care Beds
  • Medical Beds
  • Welfare Equipment
  • Nursing Aids
  • Safety Rails
  • Medical Mattresses
  • Device-Equipped Beds
  • Technology Support Services
  • After-Sales Service
  • Export Logistics Support

R&D Support

Overview
Provides support and technology verification in the R&D stages of nursing and medical equipment.
Competitiveness
Precise technology support based on diverse product development experience.
Customers
  • Nursing Product Developers
  • Medical Equipment Manufacturers
  • University Labs
  • Technology Development Consortia
  • Industry-Academia Collaboration Institutions
  • Patent Offices
  • New Technology Evaluation Bodies
  • Welfare Technology Developers
  • Product Improvement Teams
  • Development Partners
Products
  • Product Prototype Manufacturing
  • Technology Evaluation Services
  • Material Testing
  • Usability Verification
  • Design Support
  • Prototyping Support
  • Technology Analysis
  • Practicalization Support
  • Product Improvement Proposals
  • Safety Standard Evaluation

Logistics and Warehouse Management Services

Overview
Deploys integrated logistics services from product warehousing to delivery.
Competitiveness
Achieves rapid delivery through in-house logistics and external collaboration.
Customers
  • Nursing Product Distributors
  • Medical Equipment Retailers
  • Domestic Wholesalers
  • Overseas Exporters
  • Delivery Companies
  • Warehouse Management Companies
  • Showroom Operators
  • Corporate Customers
  • Welfare Equipment Rental Companies
  • E-commerce Operators
Products
  • Product Storage Services
  • Delivery Support
  • Inventory Management
  • Logistics Improvement Proposals
  • Supply Linkage Systems
  • Quality Management
  • Packaging Material Provision
  • Transport Optimization
  • Order Management
  • Returns Handling

After-Sales Service and Maintenance

Overview
Enhances various after-sales services and maintenance for reliability, improving customer satisfaction.
Competitiveness
Rapid response and skilled specialist technicians.
Customers
  • Nursing Facilities
  • Hospitals
  • Home Care Users
  • Sales Agents
  • Maintenance Contract Customers
  • Rental Operators
  • Welfare Retailers
  • Medical Equipment Management Departments
  • Service Centers
  • Regional Care Support Organizations
Products
  • Periodic Inspection Services
  • Repair Services
  • Replacement Parts Provision
  • Emergency Response
  • Maintenance Software
  • User Training
  • Product Operation Support
  • Technical Consultation
  • Warranty Services
  • Maintenance Contracts

OEM Supply

Overview
Designs and manufactures products and parts for other companies' brands to meet diverse needs.
Competitiveness
Flexible manufacturing response and high quality maintenance.
Customers
  • Medical Equipment Manufacturers
  • Welfare Equipment Sales Companies
  • Import Agents
  • Own Brand Product Developers
  • Inter-Company Collaborators
  • Overseas Market Product Manufacturers
  • Facility-Specific OEM Clients
  • Sales Agents
  • Joint Developers
  • Improved Product Suppliers
Products
  • Nursing Bed Parts
  • Medical Equipment Assembly Parts
  • Mattress Processing
  • Safety Devices
  • Aid Sets
  • Assembly Line Supply
  • Parts Processing
  • Monitoring Equipment Parts
  • Electric Equipment Parts
  • Custom Design Parts

Education and Training Services

Overview
Deploys education and training programs aimed at skill improvement in nursing and medical sites.
Competitiveness
Practical education by experienced field personnel.
Customers
  • Nursing Staff
  • Medical Professionals
  • Welfare Equipment Sellers
  • Agents
  • In-Company Training Coordinators
  • New Employee Training Institutions
  • Regional Welfare Support Groups
  • Government Welfare Staff
  • Universities and Educational Institutions
  • Vocational Schools
Products
  • Product Usage Training
  • Nursing Technique Courses
  • Safety Management Education
  • Maintenance Training
  • Welfare Equipment Seminars
  • Operation Skills Training
  • Online Courses
  • Materials and Manuals Provision
  • Instructor Dispatch Services
  • Qualification Acquisition Support

Planning and Marketing Support

Overview
Provides planning and marketing support for product sales promotion.
Competitiveness
Specialized know-how focused on the nursing care market.
Customers
  • Welfare Product Planners
  • Sales Agents
  • Distributors
  • Medical Institution Marketers
  • Product Development Teams
  • Wholesalers
  • Advertising Agencies
  • Event Organizers
  • Exhibition Secretariats
  • Brand Managers
Products
  • Market Research Analysis
  • Product Planning Support
  • Promotion Planning
  • Sales Tool Production
  • Exhibition Support
  • Sales Material Creation
  • Advertising Strategy Planning
  • Customer Touchpoint Analysis
  • Digital Marketing
  • Brand Strategy Formulation

IT Systems and Management Solutions

Overview
Provides IT solutions supporting business efficiency for the nursing care and medical industry.
Competitiveness
Customizable design based on site understanding.
Customers
  • Nursing Facility Managers
  • Medical Institution Operators
  • Manufacturers
  • Sales Agents
  • Logistics Managers
  • Quality Control Staff
  • Finance Staff
  • In-House IT Systems
  • Customer Support
  • Marketing Teams
Products
  • Order Management Systems
  • Inventory Management Software
  • Customer Management Programs
  • Quality Tracking Systems
  • Production Management Tools
  • Maintenance Management
  • Data Analysis Tools
  • Mobile-Compatible Systems
  • Online Support
  • Sales Support Systems

Competitive Advantage

Strengths

  • Development capability for low-priced, high-quality nursing care beds
  • Regional sales expansion with headquarters in Fukuoka Prefecture
  • Strategic partnership with China's Haier
  • Diverse lineup of nursing care and medical products
  • Abundant sales channels and broad customer base
  • Production and sales system leveraging overseas local subsidiaries
  • Business diversification into medical facility beds
  • High customer satisfaction and repeat rate
  • In-house factory manufacturing technology and quality control
  • Product design capabilities specialized for nursing sites
  • Strong capital base and stable funding
  • Specialized after-sales service system
  • Promotion of environmental burden reduction initiatives
  • Responsiveness to rapid market changes
  • Corporate culture continuously advancing technological innovation

Competitive Advantages

  • Reduces market entry barriers with nursing care beds cheaper than major competitors
  • Builds superior sales base in China through joint venture with Haier
  • Abundant sales channels and customer trust accumulated by specializing in welfare equipment market
  • Expanding market share in medical facility beds as late entrant through quality and price
  • Achieves stable supply and cost reduction through vertical integration of manufacturing, sales, and logistics
  • Strengthens customer experience through showroom expansion rooted in the region
  • Achieves production efficiency improvement by in-house material processing via subsidiary acquisition
  • Optimizes costs through function focusing tailored to nursing needs
  • Enhancing global expansion capabilities through multi-country regulatory compliance
  • Diversity of proprietary developed products reflecting customer needs and patented technologies
  • Improves customer satisfaction through rapid customer support and maintenance services
  • Established sales network and strong sales base to specialty stores and medical institutions

Threats

  • Intensifying price competition with major nursing bed manufacturers
  • Risk of rising production and logistics costs due to labor shortages
  • Market fluctuations from regulatory changes or nursing insurance system revisions
  • Exchange rate fluctuations impacting overseas procurement costs and export prices
  • Intensifying technological innovation competition from new entrants
  • Competition with local companies in China market and joint venture risks
  • Manufacturing cost increases from rising material prices and supply instability
  • Changes in demand structure from nursing industry system reforms
  • Potential demand decline from novel coronavirus or other infectious diseases
  • Risk of delayed business efficiency improvements due to lagging IT adoption
  • Increased product development costs from strengthened environmental regulations
  • Risk of difficulty responding to rapid changes in consumer needs

Innovations

2024: Established joint venture with China's Haier

Overview
Established joint venture with Haier Group to strengthen sales system aiming for China market expansion.
Impact
Contributes to sales network expansion and market share improvement in China

2024: Made urethane foam processing company a subsidiary

Overview
Acquired Yamato Sangyo Co., Ltd., internalizing urethane foam processing to improve product quality and reduce costs.
Impact
Succeeded in improving product production flexibility and cost reduction

2023: Developed and sold nursing bed with reclining tatami

Overview
Launched innovative tatami bed reducing caregiver burden through proprietary technology.
Impact
Differentiated from competitors and gained high market evaluation

2022: Started manufacturing and sales of medical facility beds

Overview
Leveraged nursing bed know-how to enter medical bed field and expand product lineup.
Impact
Acquired new revenue sources in new business areas

2021: Strengthened online sales channels

Overview
Expanded EC sites and corporate direct sales systems to promote sales channel diversification.
Impact
Contributed to sales increase and customer touchpoint expansion

Sustainability

  • Introduction of measures to reduce environmental impact in products and manufacturing processes
  • Continuous implementation of resource recycling and waste reduction
  • CO2 emission reduction through energy-saving equipment introduction
  • Active use of sustainable materials
  • Strengthening environmental education for employees
  • Environmental conservation activities in collaboration with local communities
  • Promotion of welfare support through CSR activities
  • Compliance with environmental and social standards in supply chain
  • Promotion of switching to resource-saving packaging materials
  • Improvement measures for workplace safety