Koken
Basic Information
- Stock Code
- 7963
- Industry
- Other Products
- Category Detail
- Apparel & Fashion Accessories
- Prefecture
- Tokyo
- Establishment Year
- December 1963
- Listing Year
- December 1986
- Official Website
- https://www.koken-ltd.co.jp/
- TSE Information
- TSE Information
- Yahoo! Finance
- Yahoo! Finance
- Other Companies
- Akatsuki Iijima Industry, Azeas, Uniform Next, Jijudo, Seika Electric, Nagaireben, Shigematsu
Overview
Koken is a protective gear manufacturer established in 1963 with dust masks as its main product, and a manufacturing and sales company of environmental improvement equipment boasting high reliability both in Japan and overseas.
Current Situation
Koken recorded consolidated sales of approximately 10.6 billion yen and operating profit of approximately 1.1 billion yen for the fiscal year ended December 2022, maintaining solid management. In addition to its core dustproof and poison-resistant mask manufacturing, it also handles strongly acidic water generators and endoscope cleaning and disinfection devices, pursuing diversified business development. Headquartered in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, it owns multiple technoyards in Saitama, Gunma, and Kanagawa, establishing an integrated system from manufacturing to installation. It boasts high technological capabilities and quality control in the protective gear field, serving diverse customer segments including construction, medical, factories, and more. It has built a stable position in the labor safety and health products market amid rising social needs, while focusing on sustainable product development and environmental impact reduction. Its financial foundation is sound, continuing a stable dividend policy while promoting investments in research and development. Moving forward, it aims for sustainable growth by prioritizing new development of environmentally related products and expansion of domestic and international markets.
Trivia
Interesting Facts
- Founded in 1943, a veteran dust mask manufacturer.
- Company name originates from a name change from 'Kōshin-kai Research Institute'.
- Operates multiple technoyards (factories) domestically and internationally.
- Strongly acidic water generator 'Oxiraiser' highly rated in hygiene field.
- Proprietary supplied-air mask technology balances safety and comfort.
- Medical endoscope cleaning devices introduced in numerous medical facilities.
- Founder Yoshijiro Sakai, still central among shareholders.
- Actively expanding into environmental improvement equipment within the protective gear industry.
- Products used across wide fields including construction, medical, and manufacturing.
- Holds numerous domestic patents backing its technological strength.
Hidden Connections
- Major shareholder Sakai family deeply involved in management since founding.
- Close technical collaboration with medical institutions in medical equipment development.
- Production bases dispersed across multiple regions to mitigate disaster risks.
- Environmental hygiene equipment traded with many major players in food processing industry.
- In-house technology development division promotes proprietary product planning.
- Ongoing review of packaging materials to reduce environmental impact.
- Engages in OEM and collaborations with related and competing companies as customers.
- Contributes to technological innovation through joint research with external academic institutions.
Future Outlook
Growth Drivers
- Increased demand due to strengthened labor safety and health regulations
- Expansion of high-function products for medical field
- Growth in environmental improvement equipment market
- Rising safety protection needs in emerging countries
- Product performance improvements through technological innovation
- Product development driven by growing sustainability focus
- Flexible response to diversifying customer needs
- Differentiation through IoT and digital technologies
- Improved customer satisfaction via enhanced after-sales service
- Expansion of domestic and international sales channels
Strategic Goals
- Market share expansion domestically and internationally
- Environmentally responsive products accounting for over 50% of sales
- 20% increase in medical equipment sales
- Completion of digitalization of product lineup
- Achievement of carbon neutrality in production processes
- Enhancement of employee expertise and promotion of diversity
- Maintain customer satisfaction above 90%
- Securing sustained R&D investments
- Strengthening supply chain risk diversification
- Optimization of global sales network
Business Segments
Industrial Protective Gear
- Overview
- Develops and supplies labor protective gear essential for work sites across various industries to achieve safe environments.
- Competitiveness
- Product development that balances high fit and protective performance
- Customers
-
- Construction industry
- Manufacturing industry
- Chemical industry
- Medical institutions
- Research institutions
- Food processing plants
- Cleaning services
- Products
-
- Dust masks
- Poison-resistant masks
- Supplied-air masks
- Cut-resistant gloves
- Safety shoes
Environmental Improvement Facilities
- Overview
- Provides various clean control equipment that contributes to improved hygiene environments.
- Competitiveness
- Proprietary strongly acidic water generation technology and medical equipment development capabilities
- Customers
-
- Food factories
- Medical facilities
- Cleanroom design companies
- Municipal facilities
- Environmental hygiene management companies
- Laboratories
- Products
-
- Strongly acidic water generators
- Air purification devices
- Endoscope cleaning and disinfection devices
OEM Manufacturing and Technical Services
- Overview
- Offers contract manufacturing and technical support services to meet diverse customer needs.
- Competitiveness
- Advanced design technology and customization capabilities
- Customers
-
- Protective gear manufacturers
- Medical equipment manufacturers
- Industrial machinery manufacturers
- Products
-
- Design and manufacturing services
- Custom protective gear
- Maintenance and servicing
Competitive Advantage
Strengths
- Top share in the domestic dust mask market
- Product development backed by advanced technology
- Stable supply through production bases in multiple regions
- Diverse product lineup
- Entry into the medical equipment field
- Strong customer base and reliability
- Solid financial foundation
- Numerous patents and proprietary technologies
- Prompt after-sales service
- Technological superiority in environmental improvement equipment
Competitive Advantages
- Improved comfort through proprietary supplied-air mask technology
- Market leader in strongly acidic water generators
- High reliability of medical cleaning and disinfection devices
- Established position as a domestic labor protective gear manufacturer
- Comprehensive capabilities to serve diverse industries
- Product quality backed by years of know-how
- Balance of environmental consideration and safety performance
- Strong customer network and after-sales service
- Flexible customization capabilities
- Reliable product supply system
Threats
- Market contraction due to declining domestic labor population
- Intensified competition from new entrants
- Increased product improvement costs due to stricter regulations
- Risk of fluctuating raw material prices
- Price competition with overseas manufacturers
- Unstable demand due to fluctuations in infectious disease outbreaks
- Decline in competitiveness from delayed technological innovation
- Risk of production halts due to natural disasters
- Delayed response to changes in labor safety regulations
- Supply chain disruption risks
Innovations
2023: Development of Next-Generation Supplied-Air Mask System
- Overview
- Developed supplied-air masks pursuing lightweight design and comfort for extended use.
- Impact
- Improves work efficiency and user satisfaction
2022: Improvement of Oxiraiser Strongly Acidic Water Generator
- Overview
- Successfully improved strongly acidic water generation technology for greater efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
- Impact
- Achieves effective hygiene management and cost reductions
2021: Launch of Fully Automatic Endoscope Cleaning and Disinfection Device 'Kagamanaishi'
- Overview
- Commercialized a device that enhances work efficiency and safety in medical settings.
- Impact
- Meets needs of medical institutions and expands market
2024: Development of New Anti-Virus Mask Material
- Overview
- Completed development of new mask material with antibacterial and antiviral effects.
- Impact
- Strengthens products with infection prevention functions
2020: Adoption of Environmentally Friendly Waste Reduction Technology
- Overview
- Introduced waste reduction and recycling technologies in the manufacturing process.
- Impact
- Reduces environmental impact and improves corporate image
Sustainability
- Promotion of product recycling programs
- Reduction of environmental impact from packaging materials
- Enhanced energy-saving measures at factories
- Implementation of employee environmental education programs
- Active participation in local cleanup activities
- Active adoption of eco-friendly materials
- Formulation of CO2 emissions reduction plans
- Stricter waste management
- Cooperation in biodiversity conservation
- Environmental audits of supply chains