Hakuyosha

Basic Information

Stock Code
9731
Industry
Services
Category Detail
Lifestyle Services
Prefecture
Tokyo
Establishment Year
May 1920
Listing Year
May 1949
Official Website
http://www.hakuyosha.co.jp/
TSE Information
TSE Information
Yahoo! Finance
Yahoo! Finance
Other Companies
Kyokuto, KTK, WASH House, Tomita, Futon Makimaki no Jiro, NJ, Tokai

Overview

Hakuyosha is a leading service industry company and the largest player in Japan's dry cleaning sector, founded in 1920. It operates nationwide and also provides industrial linen supply services.

Current Situation

Hakuyosha, as the largest company in the dry cleaning industry, has achieved consolidated sales of approximately 49 billion yen and operating profit of about 1.4 billion yen. It maintains a wide network of stores nationwide and is strengthening its industrial linen supply business. With roots dating back to its founding in 1906, it is a historic company and a pioneer in dry cleaning technology in Japan, being the first to succeed with it. In recent years, it has been effectively utilizing assets, such as through property transfers in redevelopment areas. Through group companies, it pursues regionally focused operations in areas like Hokkaido and Shizuoka, aiming for stable growth with consideration for sustainability. Moving forward, to address diversifying customer needs, it is focusing on expanding multifaceted services and strengthening the linen supply business. Human resource development and brand image enhancement are also key priorities. Challenges ahead include price competition with rivals and responding to new market entrants.

Trivia

Interesting Facts

  • The company that first introduced dry cleaning technology in Japan.
  • Founder Kenji Igarashi was a Christian with deep ties to Mitsukoshi.
  • The company name uses the old character '舍' deliberately to signify humility.
  • Long-established company with the industry's widest nationwide store network as the top player.
  • Pursuing regional closeness in Hokkaido and Shizuoka through group companies.
  • Record of selling Yodoyabashi Building to Sumitomo Corporation for 1.1 billion yen.
  • Established brand power and technological prowess in the cleaning industry.
  • Holds high market share in uniform rentals as well.
  • Merged with Sapporo Hakuyosha Co., Ltd. in 2022 to promote integration.
  • Expanding delivery cleaning business to meet diverse customer needs.

Hidden Connections

  • The founder received support from Mitsukoshi's managing director to become independent.
  • Strong ties with Matsuzakaya, with the first agency store in Nagoya.
  • Shizuoka Hakuyosha is a separate company unrelated to Hamamatsu Hakuyosha.
  • Hokkaido Linen Supply was originally part of JR Hokkaido Group but is now under Hakuyosha.
  • Joint investment with Matsuzakaya-related company in Sakae Linen Supply.
  • Focusing on asset management following the Yodoyabashi Building sale.
  • Its position as a veteran in the cleaning industry leads overall quality standards.
  • Technological innovator that first succeeded with dry cleaning in Japan at founding.

Future Outlook

Growth Drivers

  • Increasing demand for delivery cleaning services
  • Demand for high-quality services amid rising hygiene awareness
  • Expansion of industrial linen supply market
  • Growing needs for eco-friendly services
  • Business efficiency via IT utilization
  • Increase in lifestyle support services for aging society
  • New store opportunities from urban redevelopment
  • Service development responding to diversifying customer needs
  • Industry-wide ripple effects from strengthened infection control
  • Enhanced regional closeness through group synergies

Strategic Goals

  • Achieve consolidated sales of 60 billion yen
  • Delivery cleaning to account for over 20% of sales
  • Reduce CO2 emissions by 30%
  • Achieve 50% renewable energy usage
  • 100% use of sustainable detergents
  • Maintain customer satisfaction above 90%
  • Revenue diversification through new service development
  • Complete digital transformation
  • Improve talent development and retention by 10%
  • Strengthen coexistence with local communities

Business Segments

Hotel Linen Supply

Overview
Provides high-quality linen supply and cleanliness to accommodation facilities.
Competitiveness
Long-standing trust and hygiene management technology
Customers
  • Hotel Chains
  • Ryokans
  • Accommodation Providers
  • Event Facilities
  • Tourism Operators
Products
  • Sheets
  • Pillowcases
  • Towels
  • Blankets
  • Yukata

Medical Institution Linen Supply

Overview
High-quality, clean linen and services for medical and nursing sites.
Competitiveness
Cleaning technology adapted for infection control
Customers
  • Hospitals
  • Clinics
  • Nursing Homes
  • Elderly Homes
  • Medical Offices
Products
  • Patient Bedding
  • Gowns
  • Medical Towels
  • Uniforms
  • Hygiene Products

Restaurant Uniform and Linen Supply

Overview
Uniform and linen supply services specialized for the food and beverage industry.
Competitiveness
Rapid delivery and cleaning quality
Customers
  • Restaurants
  • Cafes
  • Izokaya
  • Food Processing
  • Catering Companies
Products
  • Uniforms
  • Tablecloths
  • Napkins
  • Aprons
  • Kitchen Cloths

Industrial Cleaning and Hygiene Product Rental

Overview
Diverse rental services for cleaning equipment and hygiene devices.
Competitiveness
Wide range of rental items and maintenance system
Customers
  • Offices
  • Factories
  • Stores
  • Facility Management Companies
  • Public Facilities
Products
  • Mops
  • Mats
  • Air Purifiers
  • Water Purifiers
  • Consumables

Bedding and Seating Cleaning Service

Overview
High-quality cleaning for transportation bedding and seat fabrics.
Competitiveness
Specialized cleaning technology for large bedding
Customers
  • Railway Companies
  • Airlines
  • Bus Companies
  • Hotels
  • Nursing Facilities
Products
  • Bedding Sets
  • Seat Covers
  • Pillows
  • Blankets
  • Handrail Covers

Uniform Rental and Maintenance

Overview
Uniform rental and laundry management services for companies.
Competitiveness
Product lineup adaptable to various industries
Customers
  • Manufacturing
  • Construction
  • Services
  • Logistics
  • Food and Beverage
Products
  • Workwear
  • Safety Clothing
  • Suits
  • Cold Weather Gear
  • Hats

Real Estate Management and Environmental Hygiene Services

Overview
Provision of hygiene-related equipment and cleaning support for real estate assets.
Competitiveness
Extensive lineup of environmentally friendly products
Customers
  • Real Estate Companies
  • Apartment Management Companies
  • Commercial Facilities
  • Public Facilities
  • Office Buildings
Products
  • Cleaning Equipment Rental
  • Environmental Hygiene Equipment Installation
  • Air Purification Equipment
  • Hygiene Consumables Supply
  • Maintenance

Competitive Advantage

Strengths

  • Brand strength as the industry leader
  • High-quality cleaning through technological innovation
  • Nationwide store network and group structure
  • Diversified service and product lines
  • Reliability based on long history
  • Strong customer base in industrial linen supply
  • High hygiene management standards
  • Strong sales base centered in the Tokyo metropolitan area
  • Financial stability through asset management
  • Flexible response to diverse customer needs
  • Embedded sustainability awareness
  • High-quality human resource development system
  • Operational efficiency improvements via IT
  • Strong customer loyalty
  • Regional closeness through group company collaboration

Competitive Advantages

  • Technological superiority from being the first in Japan to succeed with dry cleaning
  • Stable revenue base from nationwide chain operations
  • Diverse expansion in industrial linen supply business
  • Region-specific strategies leveraging group companies
  • Trust earned as a long-established brand
  • Advanced hygiene management and infection control technology
  • Diversified customer touchpoints through wide sales channels
  • Financial soundness via effective asset utilization
  • Greater service diversity and depth compared to pure-play competitors
  • One-stop service provision to client companies
  • Strong transaction relationships with long-term customers
  • Market leadership in branded uniform rentals
  • Speed in introducing environmentally friendly products
  • Cost competitiveness through IT and logistics optimization
  • High-quality service delivery by expert teams

Threats

  • Intensifying price competition within the dry cleaning industry
  • Increased competition from new entrants
  • Risk of cost increases due to stricter environmental regulations
  • Burden of responding to diversifying customer needs
  • Concerns over service quality decline due to labor shortages
  • Risk of corporate client reductions from economic fluctuations
  • Instability in raw material prices due to environmental changes
  • Business impacts from infectious diseases or hygiene crises
  • Risk of revenue decline from customer churn
  • Growing IT security risks
  • Adaptation delays to changes in distribution channels
  • Intensified store competition from urban redevelopment

Innovations

2023: Enhancement of delivery cleaning 'Rakuraku Takuhaibin' service

Overview
Expanded online ordering and delivery support to improve convenience.
Impact
Increased customer satisfaction and usage volume

2024: Introduction of eco-friendly detergents and energy-saving cleaning technology

Overview
Introduced biodegradable detergents and low-temperature cleaning to reduce environmental impact.
Impact
Successfully reduced CO2 emissions and water usage

2022: Logistics efficiency project through group company integration

Overview
Rebuilt logistics network via merger with Sapporo Hakuyosha.
Impact
Achieved 10% reduction in logistics costs and shorter delivery times

2021: Business efficiency improvement through IT system renewal

Overview
Advanced IT for order and delivery management to optimize operations.
Impact
Reduced work time by 20% and misdelivery rate

2020: Commercialization of high-performance antibacterial processing technology

Overview
Began applying high-performance antibacterial treatment to cleaned clothing.
Impact
Gained customer support through added value

Sustainability

  • Introduction of energy-saving equipment to reduce environmental impact
  • Active adoption of biodegradable detergents
  • Promotion of higher waste recycling rates
  • Community collaboration for environmental beautification activities
  • Enhanced hygiene management through strengthened infection control
  • Employee environmental awareness programs
  • 推進 of paperless operations and digitalization
  • Expansion of sustainable leasing and rental services