Astena Holdings

Basic Information

Stock Code
8095
Industry
Wholesale
Category Detail
Pharmaceuticals & Medical Products Wholesalers
Prefecture
Tokyo
Establishment Year
September 1941
Listing Year
July 1963
Official Website
https://www.astena-hd.com/
TSE Information
TSE Information
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Overview

Astena Holdings is a long-established company founded in 1941 that handles wholesale and manufacturing of pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, promoting sustainable contributions to regional society and diversified business development.

Current Situation

Astena Holdings has consolidated sales of 72.3 billion yen and net assets of 27 billion yen for the fiscal year ending November 2021, maintaining a solid financial base. Its core business is pharmaceutical wholesale, with diversification into generic drugs and cosmetics manufacturing and sales. In 2021, it transitioned to a holding company structure, splitting businesses and establishing a pharmaceutical manufacturing and research subsidiary to expand its business areas. For regional contributions, it relocated its head office functions to Suzu City, Ishikawa Prefecture, and is actively working on local revitalization. The group has 1,404 employees, forming a stable human resource base. It promotes sustainable corporate management, focusing on coexistence with local communities, promotion of employment for people with disabilities, and advancement of environmentally considerate businesses. Moving forward, it aims for mid- to long-term growth through strengthened R&D and new business creation. It is also advancing digitalization and supply chain reinforcement to enhance competitiveness.

Trivia

Interesting Facts

  • Originated from a long-established pharmaceutical wholesaler founded in 1914.
  • Transitioned to holding company structure in 2021 and changed name to Astena.
  • Partially relocated head office functions to Suzu City, Ishikawa Prefecture, to promote regional revitalization.
  • Holds exclusive Japanese agency rights for Tiger Balm.
  • Group includes multiple subsidiaries in pharmaceutical and health food manufacturing.
  • Originally started as a herbal medicine wholesaler.
  • Positions in the top ranks of the generic pharmaceuticals market.
  • Promotes disability employment and aims for social contributions through crop cultivation.
  • Stable shareholder composition including major trust banks and banks.
  • Listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market.

Hidden Connections

  • Head office function relocation to Suzu City is a pioneering success example as a regional revitalization company.
  • Possesses unique brand power as Japanese agent for Tiger Balm.
  • Fourth-generation founder family member Keitaro Iwaki serves as president.
  • Actively promotes regional agriculture revitalization centered on disability employment.
  • Since 2020, fully entered pharmaceutical R&D field to strengthen competitiveness.
  • Expanded health food field through full subsidiary of Maruman H&B.
  • Strengthened stable supply system for pharmaceutical wholesale through collaboration with peers.
  • Diversified group structure handling not only pharmaceutical wholesale but also cosmetics and food wholesale.

Future Outlook

Growth Drivers

  • Expected stable growth from expansion of generic drug market
  • Promotion of local revitalization businesses in collaboration with communities
  • New product creation through strengthened pharmaceutical manufacturing and R&D
  • Diversified expansion in health foods and cosmetics fields
  • Penetration of sustainability management and improved social evaluation
  • Competitiveness enhancement through digitalization and logistics efficiency
  • Synergy creation among group companies
  • Differentiation through community-based business model
  • Increased pharmaceutical demand accompanying rising domestic medical needs
  • Promotion of new businesses in environmentally considerate product development

Strategic Goals

  • Establish group structure with annual sales of 100 billion yen
  • Nationwide rollout of regional revitalization model centered on Suzu City
  • Build and expand sustainable brands in the market
  • Achieve domestic top-class pharmaceutical R&D capabilities
  • Improve business efficiency and customer satisfaction through DX promotion
  • Stabilize earnings through diversification and pioneer new markets
  • Maintain regional top-level disability employment rate
  • Achieve environmental burden reduction targets and advance manufacturing processes
  • Maximize group synergies through strengthened collaboration among affiliates
  • Develop innovative products in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and health foods fields

Business Segments

Pharmaceutical Wholesale

Overview
Stably supplies a wide range of pharmaceuticals and health-related products to medical institutions.
Competitiveness
High handling ratio of own affiliated products
Customers
  • Hospitals
  • Pharmacies
  • Clinics
  • Pharmacy Chains
  • Medical Institutions
Products
  • Generic Drugs
  • External Medications
  • Oral Medications
  • Medical Pharmaceuticals
  • Caregiving Supplies
  • Health Food Raw Materials

Chemical Products Wholesale

Overview
Handles intermediate distribution of various chemical products essential for the industrial sector.
Competitiveness
Expertise in industrial chemicals and stable supply
Customers
  • Industrial Manufacturers
  • Manufacturers
  • Research Institutions
  • Chemical Sales Companies
Products
  • Basic Chemicals
  • Derivatives
  • Industrial Raw Materials
  • Surface Treatment Chemicals

Health Foods and Cosmetics Manufacturing

Overview
Plans and manufactures high-quality products centered on own brands.
Competitiveness
Strength in flagship brands and cosmetics
Customers
  • Retailers
  • Drugstores
  • Mail Order Companies
  • Health Food Sales Companies
Products
  • Skincare Products
  • Makeup Bases
  • Health Supplements

Regional Revitalization Business

Overview
Contributes to regional industry development and resolution of social issues, centered on Suzu City.
Competitiveness
Community-rooted social contribution business
Customers
  • Local Governments
  • Agricultural Corporations
  • Local Companies
Products
  • Local Agricultural Products
  • Regional Development Funds

Competitive Advantage

Strengths

  • Diversified product lineup
  • Strengthened collaboration with group companies
  • Deep ties with local communities
  • Stable financial base
  • Geographically dispersed multi-base system
  • Abundant track record in pharmaceutical wholesale
  • Improved R&D capabilities
  • Ownership of brand agency rights
  • Employee expertise and experience
  • Management focused on sustainability

Competitive Advantages

  • Differentiation through high handling ratio of own affiliated products
  • Improved management efficiency via holding company transition
  • Realized regional revitalization through head office relocation to Suzu City
  • Advanced into manufacturing field beyond pharmaceutical wholesale for broad responsiveness
  • Market superiority as exclusive Japanese agent for external anti-inflammatory analgesics
  • Diverse customer base in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics
  • High social evaluation through disability employment and agricultural support
  • Retention of well-equipped R&D subsidiary
  • Unified and efficient services through integration of related subsidiaries
  • Market coverage via diverse sales channels

Threats

  • Intense price competition in the pharmaceutical market
  • Risk of stricter regulations on generic drugs
  • Shrinkage of sales channels due to population decline in regional economies
  • Further market share expansion by major competitors
  • Risk of fluctuations in raw material prices
  • Impact from pharmaceutical safety issues
  • Intensified competition due to increasing new entrants
  • Business structure changes due to regulatory revisions
  • Disruptions in logistics and supply chains from natural disasters
  • Decline in competitiveness due to delays in IT and digitalization

Innovations

2021: Transition to Holding Company Structure and Name Change

Overview
Implemented reorganization to holding company structure for management efficiency.
Impact
Achieved business diversification and organizational efficiency.

2020: Entry into R&D via Sperapharma Subsidiary

Overview
Fully entered pharmaceutical R&D business to pioneer new markets.
Impact
Expected to strengthen new product development capabilities.

2020: Full Subsidiary of Iwaki Pharmaceutical Sakura Factory

Overview
Aimed to build efficient manufacturing system and strengthen supply capacity.
Impact
Established stable quality manufacturing system.

2020: Maruman H&B Subsidiary

Overview
Strengthened product lines and expanded sales channels in health foods.
Impact
Reinforced health-related business and contributed to sales growth.

2021: Partial Relocation of Head Office Functions to Suzu City

Overview
Established local base and relocated functions for regional revitalization.
Impact
Created sustainable benefits for both regional economy and the company.

Sustainability

  • Regional revitalization business development in Suzu City, Ishikawa Prefecture
  • Support for crop cultivation through disability employment
  • Promotion of environmentally considerate manufacturing processes
  • Building sustainable pharmaceutical distribution
  • Strengthened collaboration with local companies and governments
  • Contributions to job creation in local communities
  • Formation of sustainable brands through internal public recruitment
  • Environmental burden reduction activities in collaboration with business partners
  • New product development utilizing local resources
  • Strengthened compliance adherence