Japan 4 Shutter Makers Post Wide Profit Decline in F2008

Japanese major 4 shutter makers were suffered from wide profit decline in a full fiscal year ended in March 2009. Bunka Shutter posted annual operating loss for the first time and the rest makers reported year-on-year lower profits due to demand deterioration in the second half year. The 4 makers aim profit recovery through fiscal 2009 ending in March 2010 with low material costs and business optimizing efforts.

Sanwa Holdings, Japanese largest shutter maker, posted year-on-year lower revenue and profit in fiscal 2008. The profitability was impacted by material cost upsurge in the first half year and shipment slowdown in the second half year. The firm posted operating loss for the residential material business and year-on-year lower profit for the commercial building business.

Bunka Shutter’s profit widely decreased for the shutter business, the firm’s main business, while the firm posted loss for the architectural material business. Under the severe business condition, the firm concluded a capital alliance contract with Fuji Sash to improve both companies’ profitability by tie-up synergies.

Toyo Shutter posted year-on-year lower revenue and profit in fiscal 2008 when shutter sales declined due to slowdown of private sectors’ capital expenditure. The profit was also impacted by severe sales competition.

TOSTEM Suzuki Shutter posted 2-digit year-on-year profit decrease with slight revenue increase in fiscal 2008. Order receipts for heavy shutters declined.