LIHIT LAB.

Basic Information

Stock Code
7975
Industry
Other Products
Category Detail
Daily Necessities & Household Products
Prefecture
Osaka Prefecture
Establishment Year
May 1948
Listing Year
September 1962
Official Website
https://www.lihit-lab.com/
TSE Information
TSE Information
Yahoo! Finance
Yahoo! Finance
Other Companies
Hobonichi, Aubex, Imura, Daiken, Nippon Can, Nanshin, Noritsu Koki, Pilot Corporation, King Jim, Mitsubishi Pencil, Kokuyo, Sailor Pen

Overview

LIHIT LAB. is a dedicated office supplies manufacturer founded in 1948, based in Osaka, and has established a solid position in the office equipment industry with a focus on files and organizing products.

Current Situation

LIHIT LAB. recorded consolidated net sales of approximately 10.1 billion yen, ordinary profit of about 740 million yen, and net profit of about 470 million yen in the fiscal year ended February 2019, maintaining steady performance. In its core office supplies business, files and clear books are major strengths, and it is expanding brands for medical office supplies. Entering the 2020s, it established a local factory in Vietnam to bolster international competitiveness while focusing on market development domestically and overseas. In recent years, it has pursued eco-friendly product development and functionality improvements, earning recognition from the Japan Stationery Grand Prize in 2016 and actively pursuing technological innovation. It maintains sales offices in major cities nationwide and diverse sales channels. Looking ahead, as a comprehensive office supplies maker, it is advancing strategies to meet diversifying needs amid IoT and digital transformation. Key features include sustainable management with reduced environmental impact, brand strengthening, and emphasis on expanding domestic and international sales networks.

Trivia

Interesting Facts

  • Founded in 1948, a historic brand in Japan's office supplies industry.
  • Awarded Excellence in Functionality category of Japan Stationery Grand Prize.
  • Holds high share in medical chart storage products.
  • Operates local factory in Vietnam with established global production system.
  • Many products incorporate eco-friendly materials.
  • Proprietary brand 'LIHIT LAB.' enjoys high recognition domestically and internationally.
  • Sales offices in major cities nationwide for enhanced customer service.
  • Flexible対応 to OEM manufacturing and custom products.
  • In-house specialist research team of stationery enthusiasts.
  • Founder's family continues active community contributions.

Hidden Connections

  • Competes with King Jim and Kokuyo while leading the overall industry.
  • Joint venture with local Vietnamese firms to strengthen on-site manufacturing.
  • Collaborates with medical system developers to optimize office supplies.
  • In-house stationery cafe for employees to foster product ideas.
  • Workshops on stationery use in partnership with local schools.
  • Joint projects with Daiken for logistics industry organizing supplies.
  • Emphasizes new product displays at major Japanese stationery trade shows.
  • Joint industry-wide environmental reduction efforts with multiple competitors.

Future Outlook

Growth Drivers

  • Increased stationery demand from office workstyle reforms
  • Market growth of eco-friendly products
  • Rising efficiency needs in medical settings
  • Cost competitiveness boost via Vietnam production
  • EC sales channel growth
  • Office supply replacement demand from Japanese SMEs
  • Expanding demand for high-function, high-quality goods
  • Growing demand for custom and OEM products
  • Integration opportunities with stationery digital peripherals
  • Development for working women segment
  • New markets via global expansion
  • Enhanced customer ratings from sustainable materials

Strategic Goals

  • Zero environmental impact manufacturing processes
  • Achieve over 15 billion yen in sales
  • Overseas sales ratio above 20%
  • Expanded medical sector product portfolio
  • EC sales over 30% of total
  • Strengthened digital integration in product lineup
  • Advanced custom OEM capabilities
  • Promote employee diversity and ease of work
  • Full supply chain traceability
  • Enhanced community symbiosis and social contributions

Business Segments

Office Supplies for Corporations and Offices

Overview
Provides high-function office supplies and organizing products tailored to offices in various industries.
Competitiveness
Office efficiency support through diverse product range and high quality.
Customers
  • Corporate offices
  • Educational institutions
  • Government agencies
  • Medical institutions
  • Logistics companies
  • Financial institutions
  • Manufacturing
  • Construction
  • Retail
  • Services
Products
  • Files and Binders
  • Clear Books
  • Punches
  • Medical Chart Cases
  • Storage Cases
  • Sign Plates
  • Name Plates
  • Office Organizing Supplies
  • Document Management Supplies
  • OA Supply Products

Office Supplies for Medical Institutions

Overview
Offers specialized product lineup for medical administration, supporting efficient and secure management.
Competitiveness
High expertise tailored to medical site needs.
Customers
  • Hospitals
  • Clinics
  • Dental clinics
  • Nursing facilities
  • Insurance facilities
Products
  • Chart Storage Products
  • Appointment Card Cases
  • Medical Record Management Products
  • Medical Information Organizing Goods

Logistics and Distribution Related Supplies

Overview
Provides supplies that contribute to document organization and management efficiency at logistics sites.
Competitiveness
Balance of durability and usability.
Customers
  • Logistics companies
  • Retail chains
  • Delivery companies
Products
  • Label Holders
  • Document Management Cases
  • Luggage Related Supplies

Supplies for Educational Institutions

Overview
Provides stationery and organizing products specialized for educational settings.
Competitiveness
Product development emphasizing ease of use and safety.
Customers
  • Elementary, junior high, high schools
  • Universities
  • Vocational schools
Products
  • Teaching Files
  • Teaching Material Storage Products
  • Student Organizing Cases

OEM and Joint Development for Retail and Sales Companies

Overview
Plans and manufactures OEM and collaboration products to support retail sales promotion.
Competitiveness
Flexible customization capabilities.
Customers
  • Stationery specialty stores
  • Department stores
  • Large retail chains
Products
  • Custom Files
  • Limited Design Stationery
  • Promotional Products

Corporate Novelties and Promotional Items

Overview
Supports brand image enhancement with novelty products for companies and organizations.
Competitiveness
Abundant designs and short delivery times.
Customers
  • Major corporations
  • Local governments
  • Event organizers
Products
  • Branded Stationery Sets
  • Promotional Stationery
  • Commemorative Gifts

Overseas Sales and Local Production

Overview
Supplies cost-competitive products to overseas markets via Vietnam local factory.
Competitiveness
Supply stability leveraging local production network.
Customers
  • Overseas retailers
  • Exporters
Products
  • Locally Produced Files
  • Stationery Export Products

Online Sales

Overview
Direct sales to consumers via own EC site and other platforms.
Competitiveness
Expanded customer touchpoints through strengthened direct sales channels.
Customers
  • Individual consumers
  • Corporate customers
Products
  • Official EC Site Products
  • Online Exclusive Items

Sales to Stationery Specialty Stores

Overview
Provides high-value-added products tailored to specialty store needs.
Competitiveness
Rich product variations.
Customers
  • Stationery shops
  • Specialty stationery chains
Products
  • Premium Files
  • Limited Design Products

Supply to Government and Public Institutions

Overview
Stably supplies product lineup suited to public projects.
Competitiveness
Reliability from government procurement experience.
Customers
  • Government agencies
  • Local governments
  • Public facilities
Products
  • Standards-Compliant Files
  • Organizing Supplies for Public Facilities

OEM Manufacturing

Overview
Diversifies revenue through contract manufacturing for other brands.
Competitiveness
High-quality and flexible manufacturing capabilities.
Customers
  • Other company brands
  • Major stationery manufacturers
Products
  • Contract-Manufactured Files
  • OEM Organizing Products

Product Development Consulting

Overview
Advances collaborations through planning and design for new product development.
Competitiveness
Planning expertise leveraging long years of industry know-how.
Customers
  • New entrants
  • Startups
Products
  • Product Planning Support
  • Prototype Creation

Competitive Advantage

Strengths

  • Diverse product lineup and stringent quality control
  • Expertise in medical office supplies
  • Cost competitiveness from Vietnam factory
  • Long years of experience in office supplies manufacturing
  • Sales network covering major cities nationwide
  • Initiatives in eco-friendly product development
  • Established diverse sales channels
  • Strong brand recognition
  • OEM and customization capabilities
  • Excellent customer needs analysis
  • Solid financial foundation
  • Stable customer base
  • Versatile business development capabilities
  • Superior functionality in product development
  • Supportive corporate culture and talent development

Competitive Advantages

  • Industry-leading file manufacturing technology and product variety
  • Strengthening specialized fields with medical office supplies brand
  • Securing price competitiveness through global production system
  • Product deployment reflecting diverse customer needs
  • High customer trust in stationery and office supplies market
  • Latest product designs and functionality
  • Market expansion via flexible OEM and custom products
  • Sales offices network in major cities nationwide
  • Stable logistics for delivery management
  • Proactive efforts to reduce environmental impact
  • Market touchpoint expansion through multi-channel sales
  • Distribution superiority from high brand recognition
  • Long-term trust relationships with medical industry
  • Product reliability from robust quality control
  • Swift response to market needs

Threats

  • Intensified market competition from new entrant rivals
  • Risk of demand decline due to digitization of stationery market
  • Cost increases from raw material price fluctuations
  • Overseas production cost instability from exchange rate fluctuations
  • Delays in responding to rapid customer need changes
  • Risk of lagging behind competitors in new technology and product development
  • Production cost increases from stricter environmental regulations
  • Delivery trouble risks from logistics delays
  • Domestic market shrinkage from population decline
  • Performance impact from client financial deterioration
  • Supply chain vulnerabilities
  • Demand decline from infectious disease outbreaks

Innovations

2024: Improvement of Multi-functional Stand Pen Case

Overview
Further improved storage capacity and functionality based on Japan Stationery Grand Prize-winning product.
Impact
Contributes to market share expansion and improved customer satisfaction

2023: Expansion of Eco-friendly Plastic Products

Overview
Actively adopting recycled plastic materials to reduce environmental impact.
Impact
Enhanced environmental responsiveness and brand image

2022: Automation of Production Lines at Vietnam Local Factory

Overview
Upgraded automation equipment to boost production efficiency and quality uniformity.
Impact
Achieved cost reductions and shorter delivery times

2021: New Functions Added to Medical Chart Cases

Overview
Implemented antibacterial materials and enhanced impact resistance to meet medical site demands.
Impact
Increased adoption in medical institutions

2020: Renewal of Official EC Site

Overview
Improved usability and strengthened sales promotion functions to expand direct sales.
Impact
Boosted online sales

Sustainability

  • Advancing development of products using recycled materials
  • Reducing waste through resource-efficient packaging
  • Activities to lower environmental impact in manufacturing processes
  • Employee-participation environmental awareness seminars
  • Ongoing local cleanup activities
  • Introduction of environmental management system
  • Acquisition and rollout of eco-product certifications
  • Promoting longevity of business-use products
  • Expanding introduction of energy-saving equipment
  • Establishment and compliance with green procurement standards
  • Annual environmental report issuance
  • Targets for improving waste recycling rates