Kantsu

Basic Information

Stock Code: 9326
Industry: Warehousing and Transportation Related Business
Category Detail: Warehousing & Logistics
Prefecture: Osaka Prefecture
Establishment Year: April 1986
Listing Year: March 2020
Official Website: https://www.kantsu.com/
TSE Information: TSE Information
Yahoo! Finance: Yahoo! Finance
Other Companies: SBS Holdings, ATAO, Nippon Shikizai, Area Link, Konoike Transport, AZ-COM Maruwa Holdings, Nippon Express Holdings, Mitsubishi Warehouse, Mitsui Warehouse Holdings, Sumitomo Warehouse, Shibusawa Warehouse, Nippon Transcity, Daiun

Overview

Kantsu is one of Japan's leading logistics service companies specializing in EC and mail-order logistics, founded in 1983, with a strength in efficient distribution center operations utilizing its unique IT technologies.

Current Situation

Kantsu recorded consolidated net sales of approximately ¥11.9 billion and operating profit of approximately ¥400 million for the fiscal year ended February 2024, maintaining solid performance. In its core EC mail-order logistics business, it operates more than 20 logistics bases nationwide and has earned high trust from major customers including the Rakuten Group. In addition to logistics center management and operations, its IT automation business, centered on the self-developed warehouse management system "Cloud Thomas," is a growth area. It is actively investing in technologies such as the introduction of the latest automated warehouses and the launch of RPA services to promote efficiency and quality improvement in logistics operations. Furthermore, it focuses on human resource development through the acceptance of foreign technical intern trainees and employee training programs, aiming to build a community-integrated logistics network from a sustainability perspective. Moving forward, it plans to expand into new areas such as frozen logistics and DX centers. Since its listing on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth Market in 2020, it has strengthened its business foundation through capital and business alliances. As a long-term growth strategy, it expects stable revenue expansion based on IT-driven logistics automation and flexible responses to customer needs.

Trivia

Interesting Facts

Pioneering logistics firm started with one light truck
EC logistics specialist advancing distribution center design manualization
High industry acclaim from operation visualization
Network collaboration with over 20 nationwide domestic logistics bases
Active Myanmar foreign technical intern trainee acceptance since 2017
In-house "Cloud Thomas" reputed SMB WMS
Industry education contribution via logistics site tour seminars
Stable customer base via Rakuten Group capital/business alliance
High reliability with multiple legal/quality management certifications
Broad product management via frozen/refrigerated logistics

Hidden Connections

Strengthening unique ties as Rakuten Group logistics tenant
Technology sharing via Canon IT Solutions capital/business alliance in IT
Pioneering overseas talent use with Myanmar base
Educational industry role via seminars and system development

Future Outlook

Growth Drivers

Ongoing EC mail-order market growth boosting logistics demand
IT system and automation tech adoption expansion
Specialized logistics service demand from D2C market growth
Business expansion in frozen/refrigerated logistics
Human resources via government foreign technical intern system

Strategic Goals

Complete nationwide major area logistics base network
IT automation sales expansion and new tech introductions
Energy-saving logistics centers for environmental load reduction
Flexible workforce via diverse talent utilization
Competitiveness via new logistics services and DX

Business Segments

Logistics Agency Services

Overview

Supports business operators' efficiency through EC mail-order centered logistics outsourcing and IT system provision.

Competitiveness

High-quality logistics services from fusion of proprietary IT systems and logistics expertise

Customers

EC and mail-order businesses
Retailers
Manufacturers
Medical institutions
Food industry
Cosmetics industry
Frozen food industry
D2C brands
Major EC mall operators
Logistics outsourcers

Products

Warehouse Operation Outsourcing
Distribution Center Management
Frozen and Refrigerated Logistics Services
Large Logistics Project Support
Logistics IT Systems
WMS (Warehouse Management System)
Order Management System
Quality Management System
RPA Automation Tools
Human Resource Development Programs

IT Automation Business

Overview

Software and API integrations for automating and streamlining logistics operations.

Competitiveness

Proprietary system suite leveraging on-site logistics experience

Customers

Logistics companies
EC mall operators
Manufacturing IT departments
Retail IT managers
D2C brand logistics managers

Products

WMS "Cloud Thomas"
Checklist System "Annie"
Order Processing Automation Service "e.can"
RPA Creation Agency Service "ippo"
API Integration Solutions

Competitive Advantage

Strengths

Abundant expertise specialized in EC and mail-order logistics
Efficiency gains from self-developed logistics IT systems
Nationwide network of broad logistics base deployments
Strong ties with key customers like Rakuten Group
Advanced quality control and operation standardization
Human resource education and diverse foreign technical intern trainee utilization
Unique service designs integrating logistics and IT
Broad logistics capabilities including frozen/refrigerated centers
Technology and capital reinforcement via diverse partnerships
Cutting-edge logistics showcased in seminars and exhibitions

Competitive Advantages

Pioneering position established in EC mail-order logistics
System superiority via WMS Cloud Thomas
Area-concentrated logistics via dominant strategy
Efficiency from early RPA and logistics automation adoption
Diverse talent strategy including Myanmar personnel
Competitiveness boost from Rakuten and Canon IT alliances
Flexibility expanding to frozen logistics and D2C
Industry brand strength via seminars
Customer trust and high repeat rates from rich track record
Differentiation in distribution center design and manual commercialization

Threats

Price competition pressure from intensifying EC market rivalry
Human resource acquisition difficulties from labor shortages
Rising logistics costs (fuel and labor increases)
Information security risks like cyberattacks
Intensifying rival IT system development competition
Logistics industry regulatory tightening and legal changes
Logistics network disruption risks from natural disasters
Service adaptation loads from diversifying customer needs
Global logistics environment instability
Competitiveness decline from new tech adoption delays

Innovations

2024: Opened Tokyo Main Center in Niiza City, Tokyo

Overview: New base opening to enhance metropolitan area logistics efficiency and supply capacity.
Impact: Improved customer service and shortened delivery times

2023: Established Kantsu Next Logic Co., Ltd. and opened DX Center

Overview: DX (digital transformation) promotion structure to accelerate logistics IT innovation.
Impact: Promotes internal reforms and new service development

2022: Introduced automated warehouse at EC mail-order logistics center in Amagasaki City, Hyogo Prefecture

Overview: Advances efficiency and labor shortage countermeasures via in-warehouse automation.
Impact: 25% work efficiency improvement, reduced mis-shipment rate

2021: Launched order processing automation service "e.can" and RPA service

Overview: Automates workflows from order to delivery, revolutionizing logistics processes.
Impact: 30% reduction in workload, error reduction

2020: Started automatic data linkage between WMS Cloud Thomas and Syrius AMR via API

Overview: Integrates robot automated warehouse operations with IT systems for logistics efficiency.
Impact: Advances site automation and stabilizes operations

2023: Concluded WMS sales agency contract with Canon IT Solutions

Overview: Expands into IT systems market via partnership with IT vendor.
Impact: Expanded sales channels and revenue growth

2021: Completed WHGW system integration with Rakuten Group "Hungreed" BOSS

Overview: Optimizes logistics management via information linkage with Rakuten EC sites.
Impact: Faster order processing and improved customer satisfaction

Sustainability

Diversity promotion via foreign technical intern trainee acceptance
Community-based environmentally considerate logistics network construction
Energy-saving initiatives at logistics centers
Resource reduction and waste elimination via operation efficiency
Employee education strengthening and work environment improvements