Somar

Basic Information

Stock Code
8152
Industry
Wholesale
Category Detail
Textiles, Chemicals & Paper Wholesalers
Prefecture
Tokyo
Establishment Year
February 1948
Listing Year
August 1985
Official Website
http://www.somar.co.jp/
TSE Information
TSE Information
Yahoo! Finance
Yahoo! Finance
Other Companies
Kaneko Seed, Sanyo Trading, Obex, Tomoe Kogyo, IA G, Auwell, Toin, Nagase Industries, Inabata Industries, Meiwa Industries, Soda Nikka, Mitani Industries, Nippon Bo Industries

Overview

Somar is a chemical trading company founded in 1948, with wholesaling of high value-added products centered on electronic materials as its mainstay, and it is an industry specialist focusing on in-house product development.

Current Situation

Somar's latest consolidated sales are on the scale of approximately ¥40 billion, and it has established a stable revenue base centered on the electronic materials field. In its core chemical products wholesale business, it handles high-tech products and deploys a highly competitive product lineup. By increasing the ratio of in-house developed products, it secures market uniqueness and responds to customer needs domestically and internationally. In recent years, it has increased investments in environmentally responsive materials and electronic component materials, working to improve product value-added. It promotes business operations with consideration for sustainability, actively introducing energy-saving measures and waste reduction initiatives. With 2025 in sight, it continues proactive R&D investments to strengthen its future growth foundation. Differentiation from competitors within the industry is supported by handling high-function materials and providing close-to-customer services. It balances management stability and growth while promoting digitalization to improve sales efficiency.

Trivia

Interesting Facts

  • Long-established chemical trading company founded in 1948
  • Specializes in electronic materials wholesaling and also engages in in-house development
  • High technical support capabilities within the chemical wholesaling industry
  • Headquartered in Tokyo with nationwide expansion
  • Proactive in developing own-brand products
  • Early market entrant in environmentally friendly products
  • Strong deployment utilizing diverse sales channels
  • Maintains stable order base with semiconductor-related products
  • High reputation for customer support within the industry
  • Actively participates in technical exchanges with competitors
  • Expanding business into packaging materials and environmental products
  • Diversified management including electronic equipment parts wholesaling
  • Promoting digitalization through introduction of latest technologies
  • Business holder with numerous patented technologies
  • Corporate body engaged in community contribution activities

Hidden Connections

  • Hidden partner with long-term transactions with multiple major electronic parts manufacturers
  • Collaborating with environmental regulation-related companies to jointly advance product development
  • Collaborating with recycling resource industry in some packaging materials
  • Participating in industry-academia collaboration material development with university research institutions
  • Supporting growth of small and medium chemical manufacturers through technical support services
  • Actively participating in domestic and international trade shows to strengthen industry ties
  • Jointly participating in environmental conservation projects with local governments
  • Numerous co-owned domestic patented technologies in special materials field

Future Outlook

Growth Drivers

  • Expansion of semiconductor and electronic materials markets
  • Increasing demand for environmentally responsive products
  • Strengthening competitiveness through in-house product development
  • Promotion of industrial digital transformation
  • Market expansion due to strengthened domestic and international environmental regulations
  • Flexible response to diverse industry needs
  • Development of sustainable procurement and supply chains
  • Investment and technological innovation in advanced materials fields
  • Acquisition of new customers and expansion of sales channels

Strategic Goals

  • Establish top-class position in Japan in electronic materials field
  • Achieve over 70% sales ratio for environmentally responsive products
  • Expand in-house technology developed products sales to 30% of total sales
  • Improve sales efficiency by 50% through digitalization
  • Proactive promotion of sustainable management and regional social contributions
  • Continuous development of new products for global markets
  • Strengthen initiatives toward achieving carbon neutrality
  • Continue 10% annual increase in R&D investment for 10 years
  • Expand strategic partnerships with diverse industry partners
  • Establish new overseas bases for expansion

Business Segments

Electronic Materials Wholesaling

Overview
Provides intermediate distribution of electronic materials and delivery support services.
Competitiveness
Comprehensive proposal capabilities for high-function, high-quality products
Customers
  • Semiconductor manufacturers
  • Electronic component manufacturers
  • Printed circuit board manufacturers
  • Display manufacturers
  • Electronic applied equipment manufacturers
Products
  • Photoresist
  • Conductive paste
  • Cleaning agents
  • Encapsulants
  • Insulating materials

High-Function Chemicals Wholesaling

Overview
Wholesales high-function materials and provides R&D support services.
Competitiveness
Collaboration with research engineers specialized in specific fields
Customers
  • Chemical manufacturers
  • Automotive parts manufacturers
  • Medical equipment manufacturers
  • Industrial manufacturers
  • Research institutions
Products
  • Polymer materials
  • Technical additives
  • Water treatment chemicals
  • Industrial solvents
  • Coating agents

Packaging Materials and Machinery Sales

Overview
Provides packaging materials and sells packaging line machinery.
Competitiveness
One-stop service from material procurement to machinery installation
Customers
  • Food packaging companies
  • Pharmaceutical companies
  • Retailers
  • Logistics companies
  • Electronic component assembly manufacturers
Products
  • Packaging films
  • Recycled material packaging
  • Automatic packaging machines
  • Sealing machines
  • Barrier materials

In-House Product Development and Sales

Overview
Expands business through product development and sales leveraging proprietary technology.
Competitiveness
Competitive edge from in-house technology and quality control
Customers
  • Electronic equipment manufacturers
  • Chemical distributors
  • Medical equipment manufacturers
  • Environmental businesses
  • General manufacturing
Products
  • High heat-resistant resist
  • Environmentally friendly cleaning agents
  • Energy-saving surface treatment agents

Technical Support and Consulting

Overview
Provides services to solve technical challenges and support product development.
Competitiveness
High-quality support by specialized technical staff
Customers
  • Various manufacturing companies
  • Research institutions
  • Design firms
  • Small and medium enterprises
  • New entrants
Products
  • Material application evaluation
  • Product development support
  • Process improvement consulting
  • Troubleshooting
  • Technical training seminars

Environmentally Responsive Products and Services

Overview
Provides products and solutions aimed at reducing environmental impact.
Competitiveness
Product technology adapted to environmental regulations
Customers
  • Factory operators
  • Local governments
  • Environmental consultants
  • Wastewater treatment companies
  • Recycling industry
Products
  • Wastewater treatment agents
  • Eco solvents
  • Environmental evaluation services
  • Energy-saving equipment
  • Waste management solutions

Medical Materials Wholesaling

Overview
Provides materials and technical support for advanced medical fields.
Competitiveness
Strict quality control and medical-compatible technology
Customers
  • Medical equipment manufacturers
  • Diagnostic reagent manufacturers
  • Medical research institutions
  • Pharmaceutical companies
  • Biotechnology companies
Products
  • Medical polymers
  • Biosensor materials
  • Medical equipment parts
  • Diagnostic reagent raw materials
  • Specialized component materials

Machinery Parts Sales

Overview
Sales and technical support for industrial machinery parts and related products.
Competitiveness
High quality and customization capabilities
Customers
  • Electronic equipment manufacturing
  • Automotive industry
  • Industrial machinery manufacturers
  • Robot development companies
  • Precision machinery processing
Products
  • Precision connectors
  • Electronic control parts
  • Abrasion-resistant coatings
  • Machinery lubricants
  • Rust preventatives

R&D Support Services

Overview
Various support services to accelerate customer R&D.
Competitiveness
High expertise and cross-industry collaboration know-how
Customers
  • Major corporate research labs
  • SME technical departments
  • University labs
  • Public research institutions
  • Emerging tech companies
Products
  • Specialized analysis
  • Material evaluation
  • Technical consulting
  • Prototype support
  • Technical seminars

Packaging Solution Proposals

Overview
Proposes and provides comprehensive packaging-related solutions.
Competitiveness
Comprehensive packaging technology and track record
Customers
  • Food industry
  • Pharmaceutical industry
  • Logistics companies
  • Retailers
  • General manufacturing
Products
  • Packaging design
  • Material procurement
  • Packaging machinery installation
  • Environmentally considerate design
  • Logistics optimization

Electronic Device Parts Supply

Overview
Wholesales parts for electronic devices and provides technical support.
Competitiveness
High-quality product lineup and robust delivery system
Customers
  • Smartphone manufacturers
  • Home appliance manufacturers
  • Automotive electronics parts suppliers
  • Industrial equipment manufacturers
  • IoT device developers
Products
  • Sensor parts
  • Integrated circuit materials
  • Adhesives
  • Sealing materials
  • Insulating materials

Maintenance Supplies Sales

Overview
Sales of maintenance and cleaning supplies for industrial equipment and technical support.
Competitiveness
Multi-purpose products and extensive track record
Customers
  • Various manufacturing companies
  • Energy industry
  • Transportation industry
  • Public institutions
  • Building maintenance
Products
  • Cleaning agents
  • Rust preventatives
  • Lubricants
  • Inspection services
  • Technical consulting

Competitive Advantage

Strengths

  • Product lineup specialized in specific fields
  • Excellent in-house developed products
  • Advanced quality management system
  • Stable customer base
  • Wide sales channels
  • High technical support capabilities
  • Strong supply chain
  • Abundant R&D experience
  • Deployment of environmentally friendly products
  • Customer-close service provision
  • Rapid delivery system
  • 対応 to diverse industry needs
  • Long-term customer relationship building

Competitive Advantages

  • High value-added product wholesaling focused on electronic materials
  • Differentiation from competitors through in-house technology development
  • Early introduction of environmentally responsive products
  • Responsive capabilities to wide customer segments
  • Market expansion utilizing diverse sales channels
  • High-standard quality control and technical support
  • Continuous investment enabled by solid financial base
  • Customized proposals responsive to customer needs
  • Cross-industry product lineup deployment
  • Promotion of strategic partnerships
  • R&D investments for medium- to long-term growth

Threats

  • Impact from global semiconductor demand fluctuations
  • Risk of sudden raw material price changes
  • Threat from competitors' technological innovations
  • Uncertainty from international trade friction and regulations
  • Business constraints from strengthened environmental regulations
  • Intensified market competition from increasing new entrants
  • Revenue deterioration risk from exchange rate fluctuations
  • Supply chain disruption and delay risks
  • Challenges in talent acquisition and development

Innovations

2024: Development of New High-Function Photoresist Product

Overview
Developed and launched the latest photoresist materials compatible with fine processing.
Impact
Contributes to sales growth through compatibility with next-generation semiconductors.

2023: Development of Environmentally Friendly Cleaning Agent

Overview
Newly developed environmentally considerate cleaning agent using biodegradable ingredients.
Impact
Achieves energy-saving effects and reduced environmental impact.

2022: Equipment Investment to Strengthen In-House Product Line

Overview
Expanded manufacturing equipment related to high heat-resistant resist.
Impact
Achieved improved production capacity and product quality.

2021: Introduction of Digital Sales Support System

Overview
Introduced AI-utilizing order management system to improve sales efficiency.
Impact
Contributed to 25% improvement in operational efficiency.

2024: New Entry into Composite Materials Field

Overview
Developed and launched composite functional materials for electronic material applications.
Impact
Successfully opened new markets and expanded share.

Sustainability

  • Strengthened chemical substance management to reduce environmental impact
  • Promoting resource reuse through waste reduction
  • Active introduction of energy-saving equipment and products
  • Expansion of environmentally responsive product lineup
  • Contribution to regional environmental protection through CSR activities
  • Strengthening of sustainable procurement policies
  • Thorough environmental education for internal employees
  • Setting of CO2 emission reduction targets
  • Disclosure of environmental reports and ensuring transparency
  • Reducing waste through product life extension