Aso International

Basic Information

Stock Code: 9340
Industry: Services
Category Detail: Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
Prefecture: Tokyo
Establishment Year: May 1988
Listing Year: December 2022
Official Website: https://www.aso-inter.co.jp/
TSE Information: TSE Information
Yahoo! Finance: Yahoo! Finance
Other Companies: Primex, Dentas, Hoshi Iryo Sanki, Shobido, Libero

Overview

Aso International is a specialized company in orthodontic appliance sales established in 1988, with retainers as its flagship product, and has established a firm position in the bio-pharmaceutical related industry.

Current Situation

Aso International achieved stable sales growth in 2023, maintaining a high share primarily in sales of orthodontic appliances for dental medical care. Demand for its main product, retainers, is increasing in the market, succeeding in differentiation from competitors. Provision of medical gases and materials is steadily expanding, strengthening long-term transaction relationships with medical institutions. In recent years, it has focused on product development and service expansion utilizing digital technology to improve customer satisfaction. With consideration for sustainability, it is advancing material reviews to reduce environmental impact and promotion of recycling. In the medium term, expansion of the bio-pharmaceutical related business and launch of new products are positioned at the center of its strategy. Recently, it has implemented stock splits and revisions to dividend policies to strengthen returns to investors. Moving forward, it aims for sustainable growth with an eye toward introducing advanced technologies and overseas market development.

Trivia

Interesting Facts

Boasts top-class share in the domestic retainer industry.
Headquartered in Katsushika Ward, Tokyo, with a commitment to community-oriented management.
Many dental medical products are self-developed with patents held.
Promotes joint research with medical institutions to improve product safety.
Achieved listing on the Prime Market from Tokyo Stock Exchange Mothers in 2022.
Has a track record of manufacturing over 100,000 orthodontic devices annually.
One of the few orthodontic appliance companies also engaged in medical gas supply business.
Actively introducing CAD/CAM technology for product design.
Offers customization for each product, resulting in high customer satisfaction.
Hosts dental awareness events by experts as social contribution activities.
Organizes numerous seminars for dentists every year.
Steadily advancing expansion into regions outside the Greater Tokyo Area.
Reduced defect rate through proprietary quality management system.
Comprehensive customer support for small and medium dental clinics.
Early inclusion of environmentally responsive products in the lineup.

Hidden Connections

Partially shares collaboration areas with main competitor Hoshi Iryo Sanki, advancing technological exchanges.
Deploys strategy targeting market niches as an independent company without a parent.
Providing financial support to dental-related research projects at Tokyo University of Science.
Participating in the Ministry of the Environment's sustainable medical promotion project.
Some products are exported to medical institutions in Asia.
Maintains close collaboration with related company Amifa in promotion and joint research.
Contributing to hospital infection control measures through medical gas business.
Dentists are stationed for employee training to enhance specialized skills.

Future Outlook

Growth Drivers

Increase in orthodontic demand accompanying aging population
Expansion of high-function material use in medical field
Deepening international expansion of orthodontic market
Product innovation through utilization of digital technology
Strengthening product development emphasizing sustainability
New product development through joint research with medical institutions
Diversification and expansion of sales channels
Increased demand from strengthened medical systems post-COVID
Development and securing of specialized personnel
Expansion of high-function retainer market
Increase in medical equipment adoption at regional hospitals
Early market introduction of new materials and technologies

Strategic Goals

Achieve annual sales of over 5 billion yen
Global rollout of product lineup
Realize environmental considerations for all products
Strengthen treatment support through digital technology
Expand share in medical gas business
Establish sustainable business operations
Improve employee specialized skills and retention rate
Risk diversification through multi-segmentation
Maintain customer satisfaction above 90%
Secure 10 or more patents in new product development

Business Segments

Sales to Dental Clinics

Overview

Provides orthodontic appliances and medical materials mainly to dental clinics, meeting the needs of medical sites.

Competitiveness

Extensive product lineup and specialized support system

Customers

Orthodontic Clinics
General Dental Clinics
Orthodontic Specialists
University Hospital Dental Departments
Medical Institutions

Products

Retainer Products
Orthodontic Devices
Dental Medical Gases
Dental Materials
Dental Accessories

Sales to Medical Equipment Distributors

Overview

Supports distribution networks by providing a variety of medical products to distributors.

Competitiveness

Stable supply and rapid logistics network

Customers

Medical Equipment Dealers
Medical Materials Wholesalers
Medical Supplies Retailers

Products

Dental Medical Gases
Medical Materials
Orthodontic Appliances

Sales to Research and Educational Institutions

Overview

Supplies special appliances and materials for education and research, supporting the development of the next generation.

Competitiveness

High-specialty product development and technical support

Customers

University Dental Faculties
Research Institutes
Vocational Schools

Products

Special Orthodontic Appliances
Educational Models
Medical Materials

Medical Gas Supply

Overview

Stably supplies various medical gases needed at medical sites.

Competitiveness

Provision of high-purity gases and safety management system

Customers

Hospitals
Clinics
Dental Clinics

Products

Medical Oxygen
Nitrous Oxide
Medical Nitrogen

Competitive Advantage

Strengths

Specialization in orthodontic retainers
Extensive product lineup
Strong transaction relationships with medical institutions
High technological capabilities and manufacturing quality
Rapid logistics system
Customer support by specialized staff
Active adoption of new materials
Advantageous location in central Tokyo
Stable financial base
Diverse sales channels
Flexible customization response
Advanced precision processing technology
Sales network covering small and medium dental clinics
Product development responsive to market trends
Thorough compliance with laws and regulations

Competitive Advantages

High reliability as a specialized company focused on orthodontic appliances
Development capabilities for high-function retainers utilizing proprietary latest technology
Comprehensive strength in supplying medical materials and appliances in one package
Stable demand based on long-term transactions with major medical institutions
Rapid service provision from sales base in central Tokyo
Broad customer base with diverse sales channels
Improved product reliability through stringent quality control system
Flexible product development system responsive to changes in market needs
Differentiation through role as comprehensive trading company for medical gases and materials
Increasing investor support from strengthened shareholder returns in recent years
Diversification of revenue structure through new business ventures
Advanced customer support system by specialized staff
Sustainable product supply balancing safety and environmental considerations
Fine customization of products as a differentiating factor
Rapid adaptability to strengthened regulatory requirements

Threats

Decline in demand due to population decrease in domestic market
Price reduction offensives by competitors
Increased compliance costs from stricter medical regulations
Risk of fluctuations in raw material prices
Intensified market competition from new entrants
Inflow of low-priced overseas products
Risk of delay in responding to new technologies
Rising import costs due to exchange rate fluctuations
Risk of abnormal conditions at medical institutions such as new infectious diseases
Supply chain disruptions from natural disasters
Increased manufacturing costs from strengthened environmental regulations
Stagnation in R&D due to shortage of engineers

Innovations

2024: Development of High-Performance Bio-Material Retainer

Overview: Announced a retainer using new materials with excellent durability for comfortable long-term wear.
Impact: Improvement in customer satisfaction and strengthening of market competitiveness

2023: Launch of Digital Dental Impression Scanning Service

Overview: A service introducing digital scanning technology to improve efficiency and accuracy of dental impressions.
Impact: Shortened product development period by 30% and contributed to service quality improvement

2022: Introduction of Environmentally Friendly Medical Materials

Overview: Launched dental material products using recyclable biodegradable materials.
Impact: Reduction in environmental impact and improvement in corporate image

2024: Development of AI Treatment Effect Prediction System

Overview: Completed an AI system that supports effective retainer selection based on customer treatment history and dental condition.
Impact: Improvement in customer satisfaction and proposal accuracy

2021: Adoption of New Antibacterial Coating Technology

Overview: Began applying special coating technology with antibacterial effects to orthodontic appliance surfaces.
Impact: Enhanced safety by reducing infection risk

Sustainability

Strengthening efforts to reduce medical plastic usage
Active adoption of biodegradable materials
Promotion of energy-saving manufacturing processes
Improvement in product waste recycling rate
Implementation of environmental education programs for employees
Social contributions through regional medical support
Adoption of environmentally friendly packaging materials
Establishment of sustainable procurement standards
Resource-saving office operations
Environmental considerations from product design stage