Sailor Pen

Basic Information

Stock Code
7992
Industry
Other Products
Category Detail
Daily Necessities & Household Products
Prefecture
Tokyo
Establishment Year
August 1932
Listing Year
June 1949
Official Website
https://www.sailor.co.jp/
TSE Information
TSE Information
Yahoo! Finance
Yahoo! Finance
Other Companies
Hobonichi, Obex, Imura, Defcon, Atra G, TB Group, Nansin, Noritsu Koki, Pilot Corporation, King Jim, LIHIT LAB, Mitsubishi Pencil, Kokuyo

Overview

Sailor Pen is a long-established company in the writing instruments industry founded in 1932, with fountain pens and industrial robots as its mainstay products, expanding domestically and internationally with high technological capabilities and a diverse product lineup.

Current Situation

Sailor Pen recorded consolidated sales of approximately ¥4.56 billion and an operating loss of approximately ¥340 million in the fiscal year ending December 2023, operating traditional stationery and industrial robot businesses. Its core writing instruments business holds the No. 2 share of fountain pens in Japan, and the robot business is also expanding. In technological innovation, it is promoting antiviral ballpoint pens and high-performance injection molding machines, and has strengthened its financial base by making Plus Co., Ltd. a consolidated subsidiary. There are also moves to relocate its headquarters back to its founding place in Kure City, Hiroshima, maintaining a regionally rooted corporate image. In the future, higher value-added stationery products and growth in the robot business are expected, with a focus on strengthening sustainable manufacturing systems and expanding sales channels domestically and internationally. In management, following a change in president, it is also fostering young executives to aim for stable operations.

Trivia

Interesting Facts

  • One of the first companies to manufacture ballpoint pens in Japan
  • Relocated its head office back to its founding city of Kure in 2021 after 69 years
  • Brand name 'Sailor' derives from sailor, using an anchor as logo
  • Leads the industry in plastic injection molding technology for fountain pens
  • Antiviral antibacterial ballpoint pen features world's first technology
  • Long-established manufacturer of industrial robots since the 1970s
  • Capital strengthened by 57.81% investment from Plus Co., Ltd.
  • First domestic developer of brush pens
  • Offers fountain pens fused with traditional crafts like Arita ware and maki-e
  • Disseminating brand information on X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube
  • SME with approx. 212 consolidated employees
  • Products range from stationery to industrial machinery
  • Sold at specialty stores and department stores nationwide in Japan

Hidden Connections

  • Subsidiary of Plus Co., Ltd., advancing business collaboration through capital and business alliance
  • Similar brand name to Pilot Corporation but different trademark origins
  • Technical collaboration in industrial robot business through alliance with Pentel
  • Utilizes historical background of naval port city Kure, adopting naval terms in trademarks
  • Part of manufacturing equipment has contributed to Kure City's industrial promotion as regional contribution over many years
  • Strong in niche industrial robot field with proprietary technology
  • Gaining attention in hygiene product market due to proprietary antiviral technology
  • Promoting fountain pen development fusing traditional craft techniques with modern design

Future Outlook

Growth Drivers

  • Recovery in demand for high-quality writing instruments and steady support from enthusiasts
  • Expansion of automation needs in industrial robot market
  • Deployment of new technology products like antiviral antibacterial goods
  • Distribution expansion and capital support from Plus Group
  • Revival of analog writing due to digital detox trend
  • Strengthening of specialty stores and EC sales domestically and internationally
  • Differentiation through fusion of manufacturing technology and traditional crafts
  • Increasing demand for labor-saving and automation in industry
  • Deployment of sustainable materials and eco-friendly products
  • Brand value enhancement through regional collaboration
  • Strengthening of multi-variety small-lot production system
  • Acquisition of new technologies through expanded R&D investment

Strategic Goals

  • Expand domestic market share in stationery business
  • Double sales in industrial robot business
  • Strengthen market penetration of antiviral antibacterial products
  • Create new businesses in collaboration with Plus
  • Innovate product design and production processes to reduce environmental impact
  • Expand EC sales ratio to over 50%
  • Promote collaborations with traditional crafts domestically and internationally
  • Enhance employee technical and management capabilities
  • Promote coexistence with sustainable regional societies
  • Develop new products utilizing new material technologies

Business Segments

Industrial Robot Business

Overview
Provides precision industrial robots for plastic molding processes.
Competitiveness
Top-class injection molding robot technology in Japan
Customers
  • Automotive parts manufacturers
  • Electronic equipment assemblers
  • Plastic molding manufacturers
  • Companies introducing factory automation systems
Products
  • Injection molding robots
  • Teaching playback robots
  • Automatic take-out robots
  • Industrial automation equipment

Stationery OEM Supply

Overview
OEM production of high-quality writing instruments and supply to various brands.
Competitiveness
Long-cultivated writing instrument manufacturing technology and production expertise
Customers
  • Major stationery manufacturers
  • Private label for retailers
  • Promotional item suppliers
Products
  • Fountain pen OEM manufacturing
  • Ballpoint pen OEM manufacturing
  • Brush pen OEM manufacturing

Labor-Saving Equipment Sales

Overview
Provides prize management and payout automation equipment.
Competitiveness
Labor-saving solutions tailored to market needs
Customers
  • Prize vendors
  • Pachinko gaming facilities
Products
  • Pachinko prize payout machines
  • Automation labor-saving equipment

Logistics Equipment Support

Overview
Deploys robot-related logistics management support services.
Competitiveness
Comprehensive support capabilities integrated with industrial robots
Customers
  • Manufacturing logistics management companies
  • Wholesale logistics centers
Products
  • Robot equipment maintenance
  • System integration support services

Technical Consulting

Overview
Technical support business for manufacturing process efficiency and automation.
Competitiveness
Proposal capabilities based on extensive robot design and operation experience
Customers
  • Manufacturing production technology departments
  • Automation project companies
Products
  • Production line automation consulting
  • Robot implementation planning support

Competitive Advantage

Strengths

  • High technological capabilities and product quality
  • Reliability as a long-established brand
  • Diverse product lineup
  • Accumulated technology in industrial robots
  • Strong capital alliance (Plus Co., Ltd.)
  • Committed management structure
  • Strengths from regional collaboration (Kure City base)
  • Long-term patent and technology holdings
  • Strong brand penetration in the Japanese market
  • Business risk diversification through multi-segmentation
  • Exquisite and high-precision writing instrument manufacturing technology
  • Introduction of proprietary antiviral technology
  • Expansion of online sales channels

Competitive Advantages

  • Holds patents for Japan's first ballpoint pen and cartridge-type fountain pen, superior in technology
  • High market share in injection molding-specific machines in the industrial robot market
  • Strengthened management base and distribution channels through capital and business alliance with Plus
  • Design prowess and multi-variety deployment of traditional writing instruments as differentiation factors
  • Differentiation through technological innovations like pens with antiviral and antibacterial functions
  • Rapid product rollout enabled by integrated manufacturing-to-sales system
  • Dual-base system in Kure City and Tokyo balancing manufacturing and sales strengths
  • Brand penetration initiatives via EC direct sales and specialty stores
  • Growth potential and technological superiority in industrial robot business
  • Small-lot, multi-variety production capability flexible to customer needs
  • Diverse writing instrument lineup including markers
  • Ongoing long-term R&D investment
  • Recognition as one of Japan's two major stationery brands

Threats

  • Decline in writing instrument demand due to consumers' digital shift
  • Risk of market expansion by new entrants and substitutes
  • Cost increases from raw material price fluctuations
  • Market contraction pressure from intensifying international competition
  • Risk of productivity decline from shrinking labor population
  • Risk of production facility damage from natural disasters
  • Risk of brand image deterioration from product failures
  • Increased costs for stringent environmental regulations
  • Exchange rate risks in overseas business expansion
  • Organizational culture friction post-management integration
  • Supply chain disruption risks
  • Risk of delays in new technology development

Innovations

2024: Expansion of Antiviral Antibacterial Ballpoint Pens

Overview
Expanded lineup of antiviral antibacterial ballpoint pens capable of decomposing and removing 99.6% of influenza viruses.
Impact
Contributes to developing hygiene-conscious customer segments and market expansion.

2023: Completion of Hiroshima Factory Renovation

Overview
Completed rebuilding and installation of latest equipment in the Hiroshima factory damaged by the West Japan Heavy Rain.
Impact
Achieves improved production efficiency and stable supply.

2022: Start of Industrial Robot Business Alliance

Overview
Strengthened development capabilities through business alliance with Pentel in the robot business.
Impact
Creates technological synergies and enhances market competitiveness.

2021: Management Base Strengthening via Capital Alliance

Overview
Strengthened financial base and distribution channels by becoming a subsidiary of Plus Co., Ltd.
Impact
Establishes foundation for medium- to long-term growth strategy.

2020: Improvement of Plastic Automatic Take-Out Robot Technology

Overview
Introduced AI-utilizing motion optimization function in injection molding automatic take-out robots.
Impact
Significantly improves operating rate and production efficiency.

Sustainability

  • Promotion of energy-saving in manufacturing processes
  • Reduction of environmental impact through hazardous substance cuts
  • Strengthening ties with local communities
  • Waste recycling rate improvement plan
  • Eco-friendly product packaging design
  • Introduction of management strategy aligned with SDGs
  • Enhanced environmental education for employees
  • Promotion of green procurement
  • Advancement of local sourcing for raw materials
  • Internal standardization of environmental performance evaluation