Nice

Basic Information

Stock Code
8089
Industry
Wholesale
Category Detail
Building Materials, Electrical Equipment & Metal Wholesalers
Prefecture
Kanagawa Prefecture
Establishment Year
June 1950
Listing Year
July 1962
Official Website
https://www.suteki-nice.jp/
TSE Information
TSE Information
Yahoo! Finance
Yahoo! Finance
Other Companies
Jiolive G, OCHI Holdings, Ono Ken, Condotec, Advan Group, IA G, Hashimoto Sogyo Holdings, Takashima, Mitani Shoji, Yuasa Shoji, JKHD, Jecos

Overview

Nice is a leading wholesale company based in Kanagawa Prefecture, founded in 1950, with strengths in housing materials sales and real estate development.

Current Situation

Nice achieved consolidated net sales of approximately 214 billion yen, operating income of about 4.5 billion yen, and net profit of about 2.3 billion yen in the fiscal year ending March 2021. Its main business is domestic distribution and import sales of housing construction materials, and it also engages in housing subdivision sales and real estate brokerage. In 2019, it faced an investigation for suspected violation of the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act, but subsequently implemented organizational reforms and improvements to its internal control systems, leading to removal from special attention market designation. In 2021, it formed a capital and business alliance with Yamada Holdings, which became the principal shareholder, strengthening its financial foundation. Moving forward, it aims to expand operations of lumber markets and planning/sales of custom-built homes, contributing to the improvement of local living environments. Through affiliated companies, it also conducts manufacturing of building materials, construction work, information services, and cable television business, maintaining a diversified business structure. It actively pursues environmental initiatives and social contribution activities to promote seismic retrofitting, contributing to the development of sustainable housing-related industries.

Trivia

Interesting Facts

  • Established in 1950 as Ichiba Lumber Co., Ltd.
  • Previously investigated for suspected Financial Instruments and Exchange Act violation but implemented organizational reforms.
  • Rare housing-related trading company that operates lumber trading markets.
  • Formed capital and business alliance with Yamada Holdings to strengthen finances.
  • Possesses extensive subsidiaries across diverse housing-related business fields.
  • Regional company headquartered in Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture.
  • Engages in broad housing subdivision from detached houses to condominiums.
  • Provides diverse housing-related services including housing loan administrative agency.
  • Supports NPO promoting seismic diagnosis as social contribution.
  • Changed name in 2000 due to confusion with commercial loan company.
  • Also operates cable TV business to support local communities.
  • Subsidiary develops and sells solar power generation systems.
  • Acquired Kikuchi Construction Co., Ltd. in 2016 to strengthen construction business.
  • Numerous subsidiaries linking from lumber manufacturing to housing sales.
  • Previously listed on Nagoya Stock Exchange but later delisted.

Hidden Connections

  • Yamada Holdings provides financial support as principal shareholder.
  • Has history of name change due to past confusion with commercial loan company.
  • Group of related subsidiaries has bases in North America, Europe, Korea, Indonesia, and Australia.
  • Closely collaborates with NPO for housing seismic retrofitting to advance social contributions.
  • Contributes to local information dissemination through cable TV business.
  • Construction subsidiary also handles shrines and temples, preserving traditional architectural techniques.
  • Successive presidents alternate between founding family members and external appointees.
  • Achieved performance improvement and organizational reform after removal from Tokyo Stock Exchange special attention designation.

Future Outlook

Growth Drivers

  • Expansion of seismic retrofitting demand in housing market.
  • Increasing needs for environmentally responsive materials and housing.
  • Strengthening of regionally focused sales channels.
  • Financial base stability through capital alliances.
  • Business efficiency and quality improvements via IT adoption.
  • Recovery in detached house and condominium subdivision markets.
  • Global expansion of lumber export business.
  • Revenue growth through diversification of housing-related services.
  • New demand creation from government housing policies.
  • Market expansion for solar power generation systems.
  • Brand enhancement through strengthened community collaborations.
  • Following trends in sustainable housing development.

Strategic Goals

  • Achieve 300 billion yen in housing-related business sales.
  • Complete establishment of internal compliance and management systems.
  • 50% or more ratio of environmentally considerate products and services.
  • Expand market share in solar power and introduce new technologies.
  • Expand domestic and international lumber distribution networks.
  • 90% or higher customer satisfaction through diversified services.
  • Contribute to regional safety improvements via seismic retrofitting promotion.
  • Strengthen CSR activities emphasizing coexistence with local communities.
  • Advance DX and business automation for productivity improvements.
  • Deepen capital and business alliances and explore new partnerships.

Business Segments

Housing Materials Wholesale

Overview
Provides wholesale and distribution services for housing construction materials, ensuring stable supply to the industry.
Competitiveness
High supply capacity through nationwide network and extensive product lineup
Customers
  • Construction contractors
  • Local builders
  • Housing manufacturers
  • Remodeling companies
  • Design offices
  • Real estate developers
  • Local governments
  • Lumber processing companies
  • Home centers
  • Sales agents
Products
  • Lumber products
  • Structural plywood
  • Housing equipment
  • Metal components
  • Insulation materials
  • Roofing materials
  • Exterior wall materials
  • Interior materials
  • Solar power generation systems
  • Pre-cut processed products

Housing Construction Work

Overview
Undertakes design and construction for custom homes and remodeling, implementing quality control.
Competitiveness
Extensive construction track record and regionally focused services
Customers
  • Housing subdivision businesses
  • Individual customers
  • Condominium management associations
  • Real estate companies
  • Local governments
Products
  • Detached house construction
  • Condominium equipment work
  • Remodeling work
  • Seismic reinforcement work

Real Estate Brokerage and Management Services

Overview
Enhances rental and sales brokerage as well as management operations for real estate.
Competitiveness
Diverse service offerings tailored to customer needs
Customers
  • Rental prospects
  • Owners and management associations
  • Corporate renters
  • Investors
Products
  • Rental housing brokerage
  • Real estate management
  • Sales brokerage
  • Asset management consulting

Lumber Manufacturing and Processing

Overview
Provides high-quality sawn lumber and processed wood products.
Competitiveness
Integrated system linking North American lumber exports with domestic processing
Customers
  • Construction companies
  • Materials wholesalers
  • Housing-related manufacturers
Products
  • Sawn lumber
  • Processed lumber
  • Pre-cut lumber

Information Services and Software Development

Overview
Provides information services and IT solutions for the housing and construction industry.
Competitiveness
Customization capabilities based on industry expertise
Customers
  • Housing-related companies
  • Architectural design offices
  • Real estate companies
Products
  • Housing history management system
  • Construction method research software
  • Business support software

Solar Power Generation-Related Business

Overview
Focuses on providing environmentally friendly energy systems.
Competitiveness
Product development and sales strength aligned with environmental needs
Customers
  • Housing construction companies
  • Individual homeowners
  • Public facilities
Products
  • Solar power generation systems
  • Related equipment sales
  • Installation support

Construction Methods and Seismic Diagnosis

Overview
Supports promotion of seismic retrofitting and research/investigation of construction technologies.
Competitiveness
Specialized technical research capabilities and track record
Customers
  • Architectural designers
  • Housing construction companies
  • Local governments
Products
  • Seismic diagnosis services
  • Construction method consulting

Cable Television and Media Business

Overview
Handles local information dissemination and community services.
Competitiveness
Regionally focused media operations
Customers
  • Local residents
  • Public institutions
  • Corporate advertisers
Products
  • CATV services
  • Local information programs
  • Advertising media provision

Housing Loan Administrative Agency

Overview
Efficiently handles housing loan-related administrative tasks.
Competitiveness
High-specialty administrative processing capabilities
Customers
  • Financial institutions
  • Home buyers
  • Real estate companies
Products
  • Housing loan contract management
  • Balance management
  • Loan support services

Consulting and Corporate Diagnosis

Overview
Provides consulting for corporate management improvement.
Competitiveness
Advisory strength based on industry expertise and track record
Customers
  • Housing-related companies
  • Construction companies
  • Real estate companies
Products
  • Management consulting
  • Business strategy formulation
  • Corporate diagnosis

Custom Home Planning and Sales

Overview
Supports planning and sales of custom homes tailored to customer needs.
Competitiveness
Diverse design plans and sales network
Customers
  • Individual home buyers
  • Housing construction companies
Products
  • Custom home planning
  • Design support
  • Sales support

Housing Remodeling Business

Overview
Undertakes housing renovations and remodeling work.
Competitiveness
Rapid response through regionally focused services
Customers
  • Detached house owners
  • Condominium management associations
Products
  • Extensions and alterations
  • Interior and equipment renovations
  • Seismic reinforcement work

Competitive Advantage

Strengths

  • Broad range of housing-related products handled
  • Diversified business through multiple subsidiaries
  • Regionally focused sales network
  • Extensive experience in building materials wholesaling
  • Solid financial foundation
  • Strong real estate brokerage and management business
  • Proactive improvements to internal control systems
  • Specialized technical research and seismic diagnosis capabilities
  • Adaptability to diverse customer segments
  • Financial strengthening through capital alliances
  • Operation of lumber trading markets
  • Environmentally considerate products and services
  • Comprehensive construction capabilities
  • IT solution provision capabilities
  • Housing loan administrative agency services

Competitive Advantages

  • Integrated services from housing materials to real estate
  • Diversification covering manufacturing, construction, and management through subsidiaries
  • Financial stability from capital and business alliance with Yamada Holdings
  • Superiority in logistics and distribution through local lumber market operations
  • Handling of high-quality, diverse building materials
  • Regime advancing trust recovery through strengthened internal controls
  • High-specialty seismic retrofitting and construction technology investigation capabilities
  • Broad product and service lineup meeting diverse customer needs
  • Local sales network and customer base
  • Deployment of sustainable solar power generation systems
  • Provision of high value-added products through advanced construction methods
  • Business efficiency support integrating information services and IT technology
  • Enhanced customer convenience through housing loan procedure agency
  • Synergy effects within the industry from subsidiary diversity

Threats

  • Impact from housing market economic fluctuations
  • Intensifying price competition from competitors
  • Risk of fluctuations in raw material prices for building materials
  • Image deterioration from Financial Instruments and Exchange Act violation
  • Amendments to Building Standards Act and regulatory strengthening
  • Fluctuations in housing demand due to natural disasters
  • Burden of responding to government housing policy changes
  • Economic activity uncertainty from novel infectious diseases, etc.
  • Risk of growth slowdown in regionally limited markets
  • Rising logistics costs
  • Product change burdens from strengthened environmental regulations
  • Decline in construction and management capabilities due to talent acquisition difficulties

Innovations

2021: Capital and Business Alliance with Yamada Holdings

Overview
Implemented capital alliance to strengthen financial base and create business synergies.
Impact
Improved financial stability through change in principal shareholder

2022: Establishment of New Lumber Factory (Tokushima Prefecture)

Overview
Enhanced production capacity to achieve efficient lumber processing.
Impact
Improved product quality and strengthened supply capacity

2023: Smart Wellness Housing Promotion Project

Overview
Operates experiential pavilion to promote housing considerate of health and environment.
Impact
Enhanced customer satisfaction and sales promotion

2020: Complete Overhaul of Internal Controls and Compliance Strengthening

Overview
Focused on internal control improvements following Financial Instruments and Exchange Act violation.
Impact
Trust recovery and removal from special attention stock designation

2024: Promotion of Business Efficiency through Digital Technology Utilization

Overview
Actively introduces IT into business processes for efficiency and automation.
Impact
Operational cost reductions and service quality improvements

2023: Expansion of Solar Power Generation System Product Development

Overview
Strengthened development of new products for environmentally considerate housing.
Impact
Market share expansion for environmentally responsive products

2021: Launch of Housing History Management System

Overview
Deploys long-term housing history management services to support quality assurance.
Impact
Improved customer trust and differentiation

2022: Strengthened Promotion of Seismic Retrofitting Technology Dissemination

Overview
Expands specialized investigation and diagnosis services to promote seismic housing.
Impact
Enhanced regional safety and housing value

2024: Advancement of Overseas Lumber Export Business

Overview
Focuses on expanding lumber export routes to North America and Europe.
Impact
New customer acquisition and revenue diversification

2023: Strengthened Diversification of Regional Sales Channels

Overview
Builds sales system integrating specialty stores, EC, and direct sales.
Impact
Expanded customer reach and sales growth

Sustainability

  • Promoting housing seismic retrofitting for safer communities
  • Reducing environmental impact through solar power system普及
  • Promoting active use of renewable lumber resources
  • Operating sustainable lumber trading markets
  • Conducting environmental education activities for local communities
  • Promoting development and supply of energy-saving building materials
  • Strengthening internal management for reduced environmental impact
  • Promoting resource circulation through housing remodeling
  • Advancing planning for sustainable housing development
  • Expanding lineup of environmentally considerate building materials
  • Promoting locally rooted CSR activities
  • Improving recycled materials utilization rate