Rapid R&D driven by market needs and expansion of the product lineup

「Expanding sales of high-value-added products such as the new product “MIRAI” (ham and sausages made only from pork and salt), which will increase the proportion of high-value-added products and expand profit」

「Using the company’s proprietary production method, these products draw out the natural umami of the pork and are carefully crafted to pursue superior taste. They were completed after approximately 3 years of research and development. The number of stores carrying the MIRAI series has been increasing, and production volumes have risen accordingly. In March this year, the company additionally launched bologna sausages to expand the product lineup and is working to further increase sales volumes.」

「This product and its current performance are expected to make it a future core earnings driver for the Company. While actively investing in equipment to increase production, we intend to strengthen sales activities and expand sales.」

「Sales exceeded the previous-year period as the new, high-value-added “MIRAI” products were well received by health-conscious consumers and grew significantly, while the company also worked to reduce costs and improve productivity.」

「The company launched the “MIRAI” series, made using only domestically produced pork and salt, with 3 products: loin ham, bacon and coarse-ground pork sausages. Using the company’s proprietary production method, these products draw out the natural umami of the pork and are carefully crafted to pursue superior taste. They were completed after approximately 3 years of research and development.」

「Total research and development expenses for the six-month interim consolidated period were ¥111 million. There were no significant changes or other matters of significance in research and development activities during the interim consolidated period.」

「Going forward, we will continue to identify market needs from a consumer perspective and with a market-in approach, promote coordination among the procurement, manufacturing and sales divisions, and develop products that customers will appreciate. Research and development expenses for the consolidated fiscal year were ¥197 million, primarily comprising research expenses for the processed foods business.」

「Total R&D expenses for the cumulative second quarter were ¥106 million. There were no material changes or other significant developments in R&D activities during the cumulative second quarter.」

「Total R&D expenses for the cumulative third quarter were ¥163 million. There were no material changes or other significant developments in R&D activities during the cumulative third quarter.」

「Total R&D expenses for the cumulative second quarter were ¥106 million. There were no material changes or other significant developments in R&D activities during the cumulative second quarter.」

「Going forward, the company will identify market needs based on a market-in approach, coordinate across its procurement, manufacturing and sales divisions, and continue rapid product development. R&D expenses for the current consolidated fiscal year were ¥210 million.」

「Total R&D expenses for the cumulative third quarter were ¥158 million. There were no material changes or other significant developments in R&D activities during the cumulative third quarter.」

「In the processed foods business, products including "Thin-Sliced Pastrami Ham" in the environmentally friendly Eco Tray "Vegetables Together" series, which upgraded existing products, the thick-cut steak-style "Ham Steak" made with pork shoulder loin, the new "Coarsely Ground KING Lemon & Parsley" series under last year's "Coarsely Ground KING," and the "Thick-Cut Hamburger Steak" series performed steadily.」

「Amid the spread of COVID-19, consumer purchasing behavior diversified. To respond to new demand, the company worked on developing new products, improving existing products and expanding sales.」

「Total R&D expenses for the cumulative third quarter were ¥166 million. There were no material changes or other significant developments in R&D activities during the cumulative third quarter.」

「Total R&D expenses for the cumulative second quarter were ¥110 million. There were no material changes or other significant developments in R&D activities during the cumulative second quarter.」

「Total R&D expenses for the cumulative third quarter were ¥184 million. There were no material changes or other significant developments in R&D activities during the cumulative third quarter.」

「Total R&D expenses for the cumulative second quarter were ¥119 million. There were no material changes or other significant developments in R&D activities during the cumulative second quarter.」

「Total R&D expenses for the cumulative first quarter were ¥59 million. There were no material changes in R&D activities during the cumulative first quarter.」

「During the current consolidated fiscal year, in the ham and sausage category, the company launched the “Fluffy Thin-Sliced Series” in response to demand for salads and sandwiches. The lineup comprises six varieties: loin ham, bacon, thigh ham, pastrami beef, chicken and char siu. The company also launched the honey-based “Honey Baked Series.”」

「Total R&D expenses for the cumulative third quarter were ¥182 million. There were no material changes or other significant developments in R&D activities during the cumulative third quarter.」

「Total R&D expenses for the cumulative second quarter were ¥122 million. There were no material changes or other significant developments in R&D activities during the cumulative second quarter.」

「Total R&D expenses for the cumulative first quarter were ¥60 million. There were no material changes in R&D activities during the cumulative first quarter.」

「During the current consolidated fiscal year, in the ham and sausage category, the company added a small-pack version of its existing JAS super-premium coarse-ground pork wieners, which performed well across three pack sizes: small, medium and large. To expand its wiener lineup, it launched two clear-pack versions of long wieners, and to expand its processed chicken lineup, it launched two types of salad chicken: white and smoked.」

「Total R&D expenses for the cumulative third quarter were ¥169 million. There were no material changes or other significant developments in R&D activities during the cumulative third quarter.」

「Total R&D expenses for the cumulative second quarter were ¥115 million. There were no material changes or other significant developments in R&D activities during the cumulative second quarter.」

「Total R&D expenses for the cumulative first quarter were ¥57 million. There were no material changes in R&D activities during the cumulative first quarter.」

「The company added a small-pack version of its JAS premium-class wieners to make them available to a broader range of customers. It also relaunched its next-highest-grade JAS super-premium wieners. To expand its wiener lineup, the company launched bacon-flavored sausages containing bacon pieces, as well as “White Grilled Sausage” and “Spicy Sausage for Adults” in its “Bursting Flavors” series.」

「Total R&D expenses for the cumulative third quarter were ¥181 million. There were no material changes or other significant developments in R&D activities during the cumulative third quarter.」

「Total R&D expenses for the cumulative second quarter were ¥94 million. There were no material changes or other significant developments in R&D activities during the cumulative second quarter.」

「Total R&D expenses for the cumulative first quarter were ¥60 million. There were no material changes in R&D activities during the cumulative first quarter.」

「Going forward, the company will use marketing as its foundation to identify market needs, coordinate with its procurement, processing and sales divisions, and continually conduct rapid product development. R&D expenses for the current consolidated fiscal year were ¥246 million.」