Daifuku President Terai Tomoaki (寺井 友章) said operating profit for the fiscal year ending December 2026 is expected to reach ¥113.0 billion and orders received ¥860.0 billion–¥900.0 billion, both record highs. He said expanding demand for semiconductor transport systems and the spread of automation will support growth.
Daifuku, a comprehensive material-handling equipment manufacturer, is pursuing growth through 4 core businesses. Orders for storage and transport systems for semiconductor plants are increasing against a backdrop of rising demand for AI semiconductors, with Taiwan, South Korea and China major sources of orders. Automation in the logistics and manufacturing industries is performing well in Japan and the United States, while rising wages and labor shortages are driving demand for automation. Automation investment is also advancing at airports.
Regarding the semiconductor cycle, President Terai Tomoaki (寺井 友章) said demand is expected to continue expanding. Semiconductor applications are spreading to data centers and smart devices, and the company expects demand to continue for the next 2–3 years, including the installation of transport equipment after plants are built. At the same time, semiconductors account for approximately 30–40% of revenue, and the company is diversifying risk by combining this business with its other operations.
While citing the rise of Chinese competitors, the company identifies its more than 30 years of semiconductor expertise and transport-control technology for large-scale systems as strengths. At large plants, transport vehicles can travel approximately 30,000 kilometers a year, and the company has enhanced reliability over a short period.
The company is placing emphasis on India as a growth market. It expects demand for automated warehouses to expand, along with the cold-chain and e-commerce markets, and plans to accelerate its expansion in Asian countries such as Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam. In robotics, it is advancing trials starting with simple tasks performed collaboratively by people and robots, with the integration of entire systems optimized for each application serving as a key strength.
In 10 years, the company aims to become the world's No. 1 solutions provider and further strengthen its 4 businesses. It also outlined plans to use M&A strategically to enhance its presence in global markets.