President Kono Akihiko (河野映彦) of アップガレージグループ discusses plans to expand its reuse business, centered on franchise operations and its proprietary platform. For the fiscal year ending March 2026, revenue reached ¥15.384 billion and operating profit ¥1.1 billion, both record highs, while the company aims to expand its domestic store network from just under 290 stores to 500.
Founded in 1999, アップガレージグループ grew around the reuse of used automotive parts. Management changed to its current president, Kono Akihiko (河野映彦), when he became president in April 2023. The company anticipated demand for trade-in parts and tires generated when used cars were sold, and built the foundation for its current reuse business and franchise model.
In addition to operating a store network combining directly operated and franchise locations, the company sells its B2B platform, “NEXLINK,” to external customers, establishing an integrated system for managing orders related to the procurement and wholesale distribution of new tires and consumables. The company handles on-site inventory management and compatibility checks, supporting greater operational efficiency for its partner companies.
For the fiscal year ending March 2026, revenue was ¥15.384 billion, up 10.0% year on year, and operating profit was ¥1.103 billion, up 5.7%, marking a record high for the fifth consecutive fiscal year since listing. While maintaining just under 290 stores in Japan, the company expects to expand to a network of 500 stores over the longer term and plans to continue opening 15–20 stores annually.
While recognizing the growth potential of the reuse market, the company identifies as an issue the fact that its group is currently the only major player in Japan and accounts for slightly more than one-third of the market. It believes that greater competition will lead to market expansion. E-commerce accounts for approximately 25% of sales, but the company positions e-commerce as a gateway for attracting customers to its physical stores.