Uchida Yoko
Basic Information
- Stock Code
- 8057
- Industry
- Wholesale
- Category Detail
- Daily Necessities & Household Products
- Prefecture
- Tokyo
- Establishment Year
- May 1941
- Listing Year
- January 1964
- Official Website
- https://www.uchida.co.jp/
- TSE Information
- TSE Information
- Yahoo! Finance
- Yahoo! Finance
- Other Companies
- Inaba Seisakusho, Riken Techno, Max, Takano, Komatsu Wall Kogyo, Itoki, Okamura, Kurogane Kosakusho
Overview
Uchida Yoko is a major wholesaler founded in 1941 that handles office furniture, information systems, and educational equipment, and holds a top-class position in Japan's domestic school educational equipment sector.
Current Situation
Uchida Yoko recorded consolidated net sales of approximately ¥291 billion, operating profit of approximately ¥10.3 billion, and net profit of approximately ¥6.2 billion in the fiscal year ended July 2021, maintaining a stable business foundation. In its core office furniture business, it ranks as a major player after Kokuyo and Okamura, with a focus on the office environment sector and strengths in importing and selling Steelcase products. The school materials sector centers on agency sales, with emphasis on educational software sales. In the information systems sector, it offers the Super Cocktail series, an integrated package product targeted at mid-sized companies. It has established a research and development department to promote product planning for comprehensive educational research and improving intellectual productivity, while actively expanding ubiquitous-related businesses integrating IT technology. It views the provision of sustainable office spaces and educational environments as its social mission, offering total solutions including environmental and disaster prevention equipment. Moving forward, it plans to develop new products through the fusion of ICT and design, and strengthen the school educational equipment sector in line with market needs. It differentiates itself from competitors through diversified service offerings and a stable customer base.
Trivia
Interesting Facts
- Founded in 1910 in Dalian as a Mantetsu official store.
- The company name 'Yoko' means foreign trading company in Chinese, derived from founder Uchida.
- Part of the company building was used as a filming location for the Bayside Police Station in 'Dancing Detective'.
- Former president was involved in the conception and planning of Magic Ink.
- Operates the school-oriented educational content delivery site 'Manabinoba.com'.
- Exclusive importer and seller of products from Steelcase, Japan's largest steel furniture manufacturer.
- Numerous major clients with long-term transactions across multiple products.
- Consolidated subsidiaries cover a wide range from educational equipment and IT solutions to human resource development.
- Head office spans multiple offices in the Shinagawa area of Chuo-ku, Tokyo.
- Logistics centers operated at multiple locations including Kanto, Kansai, and Kyushu.
- President and Representative Director is Noboru Okubo.
- Deep interest relationships with diverse industries such as Ito En and Tokyo Keiki.
- Advancing development of office environment-related products for various industries.
- Multiple specialized training centers focusing on IT engineer education.
- Newly expanding programming education support products in school materials sector.
Hidden Connections
- Content delivery service 'EduMall' has built strong partnerships with boards of education and schools.
- Holds exclusive sales rights for Steelcase products, maintaining unique transaction relationship with U.S. major.
- Former president involved in Magic Ink development, retains brand rights and collaborates with related companies.
- Related company Uchida Human Resource Development Center operates numerous qualified training programs in IT education.
- Logistics subsidiary deploys delivery bases in major cities nationwide for wide-area logistics services.
- Built long-term trust with boards of education through school materials agency business.
- Information systems subsidiary contributes to business efficiency for mid-sized companies, supporting group revenues.
- IoT adoption in disaster prevention equipment links with safety management systems in public facilities and companies.
Future Outlook
Growth Drivers
- Continued growth and market expansion in educational ICT
- Increasing needs for ICT integration in office environments
- Digitalization of school materials and demand for new educational content
- Expansion of mid-sized company package software market
- Growing customer demand for environmentally considerate products and services
- Post-COVID office demand recovery and equipment updates
- Strengthening in disaster prevention and safety equipment with regulatory compliance
- Growth in online education and training services
- Logistics efficiency improvements and network expansion
- Promotion of digital transformation
- Diversification of human resource development and training needs
- Expanding possibilities for overseas market deployment
Strategic Goals
- Expand domestic market share in office ICT-integrated products
- Become leading company in school educational ICT market
- Achieve over 50% sales ratio for environmentally considerate products
- Expand custom-order disaster prevention and safety equipment business
- Digitize sales services and improve customer satisfaction
- Diversify sales through new business area development
- Improve efficiency and quality of domestic and international logistics services
- Strengthen human resource development division to provide advanced IT talent
- Promote ESG management across the company and enhance sustainability
- Promote educational DX projects and create results
Business Segments
Office Furniture Sales & Design
- Overview
- Provides sales, design, and construction services for office furniture to companies and public institutions.
- Competitiveness
- Office space design technology integrating ICT
- Customers
-
- Large corporations
- Medium-sized companies
- Public institutions
- Educational facilities
- Small and medium enterprises
- Hospitals
- Commercial facilities
- IT companies
- Government offices
- Logistics companies
- Research institutions
- Real estate management companies
- Financial institutions
- Manufacturing companies
- Products
-
- Desks & Chairs
- Conference Tables
- Storage Furniture
- Office Space Coordination
- Disaster Prevention Equipment
- Environmentally Considerate Furniture
- Ubiquitous-Compatible Furniture
Educational Equipment & Materials Sales
- Overview
- Provides materials and ICT educational support products consistently to schools and educational institutions.
- Competitiveness
- Extensive sales network combining agency and direct sales
- Customers
-
- Elementary schools
- Junior high schools
- High schools
- Special needs schools
- Boards of education
- Cram schools
- Kindergartens
- Public schools
- Private schools
- Correspondence schools
- Educational organizations
- Libraries
- Products
-
- Science materials
- Programming materials
- Educational PC software
- Digital learning content
- School facility equipment
- Educational ICT solutions
Information Systems Development & Sales
- Overview
- Develops and sells business package systems for the mid-market to support business efficiency.
- Competitiveness
- Package suite addressing diverse industry needs
- Customers
-
- Medium-sized companies
- Distribution companies
- Manufacturing companies
- Retail companies
- Food service companies
- Logistics companies
- Medical institutions
- Construction companies
- Service companies
- Public organizations
- Products
-
- Super Cocktail ERP
- Sales Management System
- Logistics Management Software
- Accounting System
- Store Sales Management
- Custom Business Systems
Disaster Prevention & Safety Equipment Sales
- Overview
- Provides sales and implementation support for disaster prevention equipment to support safety management.
- Competitiveness
- Proposal capabilities optimized for offices and educational facilities
- Customers
-
- Corporate offices
- School facilities
- Public facilities
- Hospitals
- Factories
- Logistics centers
- Commercial facilities
- Accommodation facilities
- Products
-
- Disaster Prevention Alarm System
- Fire Alarms
- Evacuation Guidance System
- Disaster Prevention Training Services
IT Education Training Services
- Overview
- Provides IT and human skills training services for companies and individuals.
- Competitiveness
- Extensive network of certified educational institutions
- Customers
-
- IT companies
- Manufacturing companies
- Service companies
- Government offices
- Educational institutions
- Sales agencies
- General companies
- Products
-
- IT Skills Training
- New Engineer Training
- Human Skills Education
- Certified Qualification Training
- Outsourcing Support
Logistics Services & Center Operations
- Overview
- Operates multiple logistics centers to provide high-efficiency logistics services.
- Competitiveness
- Cost optimization through group collaboration
- Customers
-
- Uchida Yoko Group
- Collaborating companies
- Retail companies
- Manufacturing companies
- Wholesalers
- E-commerce companies
- School facilities
- Products
-
- Logistics Center Operations
- Shipping Agency Services
- Inventory Management
- Transportation Management
Construction Materials Sales
- Overview
- Provides construction materials and procurement support for offices and educational facilities.
- Competitiveness
- Prompt response to construction site needs
- Customers
-
- Construction companies
- Real estate developers
- Office building management
- School facility management
- Products
-
- Construction Materials
- Seismic Wall Materials
- Interior Materials
- Office Equipment
Medical Equipment Sales
- Overview
- Sales and maintenance services for machinery and equipment in medical settings.
- Competitiveness
- Strong sales network in the medical field
- Customers
-
- Hospitals
- Nursing facilities
- Medical institutions
- Rehabilitation centers
- Products
-
- Medical Equipment
- Rehabilitation Equipment
- Care Support Supplies
Educational ICT Implementation Support
- Overview
- Technically supports ICT environment setup for educational institutions.
- Competitiveness
- IT solutions specialized for educational needs
- Customers
-
- Elementary/junior high schools
- High schools
- Boards of education
- Vocational schools
- Products
-
- Educational PCs
- Electronic Blackboards
- Online Lesson Support
- Network Construction
Office Environment Solutions
- Overview
- Consulting and equipment implementation support for improving office comfort.
- Competitiveness
- Efficiency optimization through integration of space and IT
- Customers
-
- Corporate offices
- IT companies
- Government offices
- Financial institutions
- Public organizations
- Products
-
- Office Design
- Lighting Equipment
- Air Conditioning Management
- Security Systems
Content Delivery Services
- Overview
- Provides digital content delivery for educational sites.
- Competitiveness
- Content suite addressing diverse learning needs
- Customers
-
- Schools
- Boards of education
- Cram schools
- Educational software retailers
- Products
-
- EduMall Content
- Educational Video Delivery
- Learning Support Services
Staffing & Education Training
- Overview
- Supports human resource development through specialized engineer dispatch and training services.
- Competitiveness
- Numerous certified training centers
- Customers
-
- IT companies
- Manufacturing companies
- Service companies
- Educational institutions
- Products
-
- IT Engineer Dispatch
- Training Programs
- Qualification Acquisition Support
- Outsourcing
Competitive Advantage
Strengths
- Strong domestic sales network
- Diverse consolidated subsidiaries and business diversification
- High brand power in office furniture
- Superiority as an agent in educational equipment
- Ubiquitous business fusing ICT and design
- Product lineup addressing diverse industry needs
- Existence of proprietary research and development department
- Stable operations backed by solid financial base
- Expansion in educational ICT equipment and software
- Excellent customer support system
- Efficient operation of domestic logistics centers
- Proven track record in IT education services
- Strong relationships with long-term clients
- Domestic top-class school materials trading company
- Comprehensive office environment provision including disaster prevention equipment
Competitive Advantages
- Established position in office furniture following Kokuyo and Okamura
- Market pioneering through ubiquitous-related product development
- Sales network fusing agency and direct sales in school materials
- Specialized deployment of ICT package software in mid-market
- Simultaneous development of educational and business efficiency products by R&D department
- Broad business deployment and synergy effects via consolidated subsidiaries
- Efficient product supply system through large logistics centers
- Human resource development support via extensive IT education programs
- Comprehensive proposal capabilities for environmental disaster prevention and safety equipment
- Meticulous service provision to long-term contract customers
- Exclusive import and sales rights for U.S. major Steelcase products
- Reliability of package software for mid-sized company operations
- One-stop provision through diverse products and services
- Presence of nationwide sales bases
- Cultivation of digital material services in educational ICT field
Threats
- Intense competition with major furniture manufacturers
- Rapid advancement of IT technology and fast market changes
- Risks from fluctuations in public budgets and school education investments
- Growth limitations due to delayed overseas market entry
- Intensifying price competition from new entrants
- Demand decline due to economic downturns like COVID-19
- Potential cost increases from strengthened environmental regulations
- Intensified competition in disaster prevention products
- Business risks from cybersecurity threats
- Supply delays from major logistics network disruptions
- Human resource shortages in employee training and retention
- Impact on earnings from tax system reforms
Innovations
2023: Expansion of Tangible User Interface Compatible Tables
- Overview
- Developed new models in the Projection Table series, improving intuitive operability.
- Impact
- Contributes to sales by meeting demand for meeting efficiency.
2022: Enhancement of Super Cocktail Logistics System Functions
- Overview
- Added real-time tracking for logistics management, achieving operational efficiency improvements.
- Impact
- Contributes to higher existing customer satisfaction and new contracts.
2024: Expansion of Educational Content Delivery Platform EduMall
- Overview
- Significantly expanded service scope and material volume in response to growing online education demand.
- Impact
- Expands market share in digital education.
2021: Development of Environmentally Considerate Office Furniture Series
- Overview
- Introduced furniture combining recycled materials and energy-saving design.
- Impact
- Advances differentiation amid rising environmental needs.
2020: Online Conversion of IT Education Training Programs
- Overview
- Developed online versions of IT talent development training in response to COVID-19.
- Impact
- Successfully expanded participants and stabilized customer base.
2023: IoT Implementation for Disaster Prevention Monitoring Systems
- Overview
- Developed smartphone-linked anomaly detection system, improving usability.
- Impact
- Led to increased disaster prevention orders.
2022: Launch of Improved Leap Chair Office Chair
- Overview
- Refreshed seat cushion materials to enhance durability and comfort.
- Impact
- Contributes to maintaining competitiveness of flagship product.
2023: Advancement of Cloud Migration for Super Cocktail Series
- Overview
- Accelerated development of cloud-compatible products for business efficiency.
- Impact
- Adapts to IT adoption needs of mid-sized companies.
2021: Development of Interactive School Materials
- Overview
- Introduced new bidirectional lesson support products compatible with electronic blackboards.
- Impact
- High evaluations from educational sites and increased contracts.
2024: Expansion of Office Space Design Solutions
- Overview
- Strengthened ICT-integrated office efficiency services for multi-industry deployment.
- Impact
- Contributes to new customer acquisition and market expansion.
Sustainability
- Development and promotion of environmentally considerate office furniture
- Introduction of office waste recycling programs
- Promotion of energy-saving in disaster prevention and safety equipment
- Social contributions through ICT support for regional education
- Improvements toward CO2 reduction targets at logistics centers
- Internal initiatives for human resource development and diversity promotion
- Formulation and operation of sustainable procurement standards
- Paper resource reduction through digitization and online service expansion
- Expansion of sustainable educational support business
- Office improvements aiming for green building certification
- Regular implementation of internal environmental protection activities
- Publication of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) reports