Shofu
Basic Information
- Stock Code
- 7979
- Industry
- Precision Instruments
- Category Detail
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
- Prefecture
- Kyoto Prefecture
- Establishment Year
- May 1922
- Listing Year
- July 1963
- Official Website
- https://www.shofu.co.jp/
- TSE Information
- TSE Information
- Yahoo! Finance
- Yahoo! Finance
- Other Companies
- Hogi Medical, Fukoku, Create Medic, Moriya Yusoki, JMS, Nagano Keiki, Manny, Asahi Intecc, Medikit, Daiken Iki, Nipro
Overview
Shofu, founded in 1922, holds a top-class position in the dental materials and equipment sector and is a precision instruments manufacturer in Kyoto Prefecture focusing on dental and nail care materials.
Current Situation
Shofu recorded consolidated sales of approximately ¥22.3 billion and ordinary income of ¥1.14 billion in FY2023, maintaining stable performance. Its mainstay dental materials and equipment division boasts high market share in artificial teeth and abrasives. It is expanding into new areas by applying manufacturing technology to nail care materials. It is advancing research and development and production strengthening through capital alliance with Mitsui Chemicals. It has production bases in China and is accelerating overseas expansion. It is also focusing on DX and business efficiency to achieve sustainable growth. The company emphasizes regional contributions and environmental conservation, and is strategically exploring business diversification in the future. Recently, following the subsidiary acquisition of Nail Lab, it has strengthened consumer product rollout and diversified revenue sources.
Trivia
Interesting Facts
- Long-established company that started with porcelain tooth manufacturing in 1922
- Boasts top-class technology in abrasives field domestically
- Nail care business is a unique derivative of dental technology
- One of the few comprehensive dental materials manufacturers in the industry
- Advanced development of cutting-edge materials through collaboration with Mitsui Chemicals
- One of the few dental manufacturers with large-scale production base in China
- Headquarters located in Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, rooted in historic area
- Proven track record of long-term product supply to major domestic and international dental medical institutions
- Successful entry into consumer products via Nail Lab acquisition
- Integrated production system from precision machinery to materials
- Abrasive technology highly evaluated even for industrial uses
- President Noriyuki Nekora promoting long-term management
- Product safety management complies with ISO standards
- Consolidated employees exceed 1,100, mid-sized company
- Paid-in capital over ¥4.4 billion, stable financial base
Hidden Connections
- Active technology exchange with chemical materials industry through alliance with Mitsui Chemicals
- Nail materials development based on application of dental resin materials
- China business expansion serving as foothold for Asian market rollout
- Long-term transaction relationship with Kyoto Bank as regional finance
- Unique strategy expanding technology from dental prosthetics to beauty field
- Competes with Asahi Intecc etc. in medical supplies and sundries field
- Considering technology transfer of polishing equipment to other industries
- Conducting collaborative research with local Kyoto universities for product development
Future Outlook
Growth Drivers
- Expansion of dental market in Asia
- Increasing nail care demand domestically and internationally
- Advances in high-function dental materials technology
- Acceleration of business efficiency through DX promotion
- Growing needs for sustainable, environmentally considerate products
- New material development through joint research with Mitsui Chemicals
- Strengthening of online sales channels
- Expansion of production and sales at China base
- Increasing dental care demand due to aging society
- Improved brand recognition in emerging markets
- Expanded collaboration with dental digital equipment
- Gaining trust through regulatory compliance and quality management strengthening
Strategic Goals
- Achieve No. 1 domestic market share in dental materials industry
- Expand nail care sales to over 25% of total
- Achieve 40% overseas sales ratio
- Raise environmentally considerate products ratio to over 70%
- Expand digital-compatible product lineup
- Improve employee diversity and work-life balance
- Strengthen collaboration with local communities and expand social contributions
- Build sustainable supply chain
- Maintain R&D investment at over 10% of annual sales
- Further enhance product safety and quality
Business Segments
Dental Materials Supply
- Overview
- Stable supply of high-quality materials for dental clinical and laboratory use.
- Competitiveness
- Industry-leading technology and market share
- Customers
-
- Dental clinics
- Dental laboratories
- Medical institutions
- Research institutions
- Products
-
- Artificial teeth
- Porcelain
- Metal materials
- Resin materials
- Impression materials
- Abrasives
- Orthodontic materials
Nail Care Products Manufacturing & Sales
- Overview
- Provides high-quality nail products applying dental technology.
- Competitiveness
- High product quality due to precision manufacturing technology
- Customers
-
- Nail salons
- Beauty specialty stores
- General consumers
- Retail stores
- Products
-
- Nail gel
- Top coat
- Base coat
- Nail art supplies
Abrasives & Machine Tools Supply
- Overview
- Specializes in sales of precision abrasives and machines.
- Competitiveness
- Product diversity and adaptability
- Customers
-
- Dental laboratories
- Medical device manufacturers
- Manufacturers
- Products
-
- Abrasive cloths and papers
- Abrasives
- Machine tools
Competitive Advantage
Strengths
- No. 2 high market share in the industry
- Precision dental materials manufacturing technology
- Diverse product lineup
- Capital alliance with Mitsui Chemicals
- Accelerating overseas expansion including China
- Entry into nail care field
- High-quality, reliable products
- Stable financial base
- Broad customer network
- Continuous investment in R&D
- Long history and brand power
- Advanced abrasive technology
- Strong sales channels
- Securing excellent talent
- Sustainable management awareness
Competitive Advantages
- Industry-leading share in artificial teeth and abrasives
- Product development fusing dental and nail materials
- R&D and production strengthening via capital alliance with Mitsui Chemicals
- Strong sales networks domestically and internationally
- Product improvement capabilities using cutting-edge technology
- Reliability backed by long history
- Product diversity meeting wide customer needs
- Improved cost competitiveness through China factory
- Industry-recognized safety and quality control
- Long-term business operations due to management stability
- Cultivation and securing of highly specialized technicians
- Quick market response and customer support
- Established brand value and recognition
- Risk diversification through multiple business areas
- Promotion of environmentally considerate product development
Threats
- Growth stagnation due to maturation of domestic dental materials market
- Rise of overseas competitors
- Raw material price fluctuation risks
- Need for rapid catch-up on new technologies
- Political and economic risks in China and overseas
- Cost increases from strengthened regulations
- Burden of responding to diversifying consumer needs
- Profit pressure from exchange rate fluctuations
- Low brand recognition in emerging markets
- Production constraints from strengthened environmental regulations
- Social changes such as new infectious diseases
- Lag in responding to digitalization of sales channels
Innovations
2024: New Dental Materials Production Base Established in China
- Overview
- Established a new production factory in China for dental materials for cavity treatment, strengthening production capacity.
- Impact
- Increased production efficiency and market supply capacity
2023: Improved UV-Curing Gel for Nail Care
- Overview
- Developed a new gel with improved UV curing speed in collaboration with Nail Lab subsidiary.
- Impact
- Expanded competitive product lineup
2022: Development of New Abrasive
- Overview
- Developed high-performance, low-environmental-impact abrasive to comply with environmental regulations.
- Impact
- Established competitive edge in environmentally considerate products market
2021: Introduction of Materials for Digital Dental Technology
- Overview
- Developed CAD/CAM-compatible dental porcelain to advance digitalization対応.
- Impact
- Expanded customer base by meeting market needs
2020: Expanded Joint Research with Mitsui Chemicals
- Overview
- Strengthened R&D of functional dental materials leveraging capital alliance.
- Impact
- Shortened new product development cycle
Sustainability
- Active development of low-environmental-impact materials
- Efforts to reduce CO2 emissions in production processes
- Promotion of waste recycling rate improvement
- Strengthened participation in regional public interest activities
- Thorough employee health and safety management
- Environmental audits of supply chain
- Simplification of product packaging and plastic reduction
- Introduction of sustainable procurement standards
- Implementation of environmental education programs
- Publication of sustainability reports