| KITZ (6498) |
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Company |
KITZ CORPORATION |
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Code No. |
6498 |
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Exchange |
TSE 1st Section |
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Industry |
Machinery (Manufacturing) |
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President |
Yasuyuki Hotta |
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HQ Address |
1-10-1 Nakase, Mihama-ku, Chiba, 261-8577, Japan |
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Year-end |
March |
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URL |
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* Share price as of closing on May 30, 2012. Number of shares outstanding as of most recent quarter end, excluding treasury shares.
ROE and BPS are calculated by using actual amounts during or at the end of the previous term. |
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* Estimates are those of the Company.
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| Key Points |
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| Company Overview |
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<Corporate History>
KITZ was originally established in January 1951 under the name of Kitazawa Mfg. Works for the manufacture and sales of various valves (In September 1962, the Company' s name was changed to Kitazawa Valve Co., Ltd.). In April 1951, the Nagasaka Plant in Yamanashi Prefecture was completed and it started manufacturing of bronze valves.KITZ established its operating base during the high economic growth period of Japan based on the principle of "always producing better quality products, cheaper and more quickly." After listing on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Second Section in April 1977, KITZ moved its shares to the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange in September 1984. In August 1995, KITZ made a full scale entry into water works market though its acquisition of Shimizu Alloy Mfg. Co., Ltd. as its subsidiary. After 2001, KITZ promoted a management style that focused upon cash flow in addition to pursuing a strategy of "selection and concentration." While KITZ acquired the semiconductor manufacturing equipment related business from the former Benkan Group in November 2001 and the valve business from Toyo Valve Co., Ltd. in March 2004, it spun off its Brass Bar Manufacturing Business to become KITZ Metal Works Corporation. From 2005 to 2006, KITZ fortified its Brass Bar Manufacturing Business through the acquisition of the brass bar manufacturing business of Kyoto Brass Co., Ltd. and the assets of Kichou Brass Bar Manufacturing Co., Ltd.. Currently, KITZ has become one of the leading valve manufacturing companies in Japan, and is seeking to raise its presence on a global basis by expanding its businesses in the United States, Europe, and Asia. "KITZ brand" products have come to be highly regarded by customers not only in Japan, but also from around the world.  <Overview of KITZ' s Business Segments>
KITZ' s business is divided into the Valve Manufacturing, Brass Bar Manufacturing, and Other Business segments. During fiscal year March 2012, each of these divisions accounted for 72.8%, 18.5% and 8.7% of total sales, respectively.
Valve Manufacturing Business
Valves are used to "pass," "stop," and "control the flow" of fluids and gases in various pipe systems (Water, air, gas and other substances), and they are used in office and residential facilities, water works facilities, fresh and sewage water facilities, fire prevention facilities, machinery and industrial use manufacturing equipment, and chemical, medical, petrochemical product manufacturing facilities, semiconductor manufacturing facilities, petroleum refining and other industrial complexes, and other various applications. KITZ is one of the leading valve manufacturers in the world with high market shares of corrosion resistant bronze and highly economic brass valves, and stainless steel valves. The Company boasts of integrated manufacturing processes including the casting process, and it became the first company in Japan to acquire the "ISO9001 International Quality Standard Certification." With a strong lineup of various types of valves made of various materials, KITZ provides its products to a wide range of fields including facilities in the construction and plant engineering industries, in addition to applications in the environment, energy, and semiconductor realms. The Company is also pursuing a strategy to increase the global cost competitive nature of its products by fortifying its overseas manufacturing facilities. During fiscal year March 2012, overseas sales accounted for about 30% of total sales.
 Brass Bar Manufacturing Business
KITZ combines copper with zinc to create brass, tin and phosphorous to create phosphor bronze, and nickel and zinc to create nickel silver, which are then used in the dissolving, casting, rolling, pulling, forging or cold forming processes to create sheets, strips, pipes, bars, wires and other forms. The KITZ Group' s brass bar business is the realm of KITZ Metal Works Corporation and uses the raw material of brass in the manufacture of brass bars, which it also sells. (Brass bars are used not only as materials for valves, but also in the manufacture of water faucets, gas equipment, electrical appliances and other various products.)
Other
KITZ operates sports and fitness clubs, hotels and restaurants within this segment.
<Valve Manufacturing Business Conditions>
According to data from the Japan Valve Manufacturers' Association, Japan' s valve production rose by 5.8% to ¥392.2 billion in 2010 from 2009 on the back of a recovery from the depressed demand seen in the wake of the global economic weakness caused by the Lehman Shock. Imports and exports also underwent a similar recovery, with both exports and imports recording large increases. The East and Southeast Asian markets were the strongest drivers of growth for both imports and exports.
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| KITZ Group Long Term Management Plan "KITZ Global Vision 2020" and Measures in Fiscal Year March 2013 |
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(1) KITZ Group Long Term Management Plan "KITZ Global Vision 2020"
① Qualitative Targets
KITZ maintains the theme of "evolving to become a truly global company" and maximizing corporate value while realizing its responsibilities to its various stakeholders.
 ② Quantitative Targets
KITZ has established targets for sales and operating profit of ¥250.0 and¥20.0 billion respectively during fiscal year March 2021. At the same time it has a target of raising overseas sales to account for 50% of total sales. Furthermore it targets a reduction in interest bearing liabilities from ¥27.5 billion in fiscal year March 2010 to ¥24.0 billion, a subsequent improvement in net asset ratio from 54.3% in fiscal year March 2010 to 70%, and an improvement in capital efficiency with a rise in return on equity from 6% in fiscal year March 2010 to 7%.
(2) Measures Designed to Help Achieve the "KITZ Global Vision 2020" in Fiscal Year March 2013
① Aggressively Develop the Domestic Market
KITZ expects to focus its efforts upon businesses where the potential for growth is large including the bronze/brass valves, where the variety of uses and price range is large, butterfly valves, high value added petrochemical and general chemical application use stainless steel ball valves, and ductile iron valves.KITZ will also devote efforts to developing the various bronze/brass valve markets for KITZ, Toyo Valve Co., Ltd., and Miyoshi Valve Co., Ltd. branded products by leveraging the strengths of each respective company' s products.   ② Profitability Improvements of Plant Projects
In order to strengthen competitiveness and profitability in important markets including the petroleum refining, petrochemical, gas processing and other large plant projects, KITZ created a project division headed up by directors in December 2011. The project division is a specialized structure that is comprised of marketing, engineering (Design, technology, quality control) and administrative division functions for large plant projects, and is involved from the estimate creation process to help raise the accuracy of cost and other calculations to raise profitability of large projects. During fiscal year March 2013, a ¥500 million improvement in profitability of all projects is anticipated.
③ Aggressive Development of Overseas Markets
KITZ will concentrate its resources upon the China and ASEAN regions, where the potential for growth in its businesses is large. With regards to China, the KITZ brand will be introduced for machinery and construction industry applications and other industrial applications, the Perrin GmbH brand for coal chemistry and petrochemical industry applications, and the KITZ SCT brand for semiconductor related applications.
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| Fiscal Year March 2012 Earnings Results |
 Sales Rise 2.3%, Ordinary Profit Fall 26.0%
Sales rose by 2.3% year-over-year to ¥108.44 billion. Sales of the main product of valves in North America and China rose, along with higher sales of brass bars on the back of strong sales during the first half. However the impact of the stronger yen and intensifying sales competition was compounded by increases in copper prices and unprofitable work on large plant projects causing profitability in the Valve Manufacturing Business to deteriorate. Copper market volatility led to translation losses on materials which caused profits of the Brass Bar Manufacturing Business to decline by just below 60%. Consequently, operating profit fell by 26.9% year-over-year to ¥4.63 billion. However the decline in impairment losses from ¥496 million in the previous term to ¥62 million, and disappearance of asset retirement obligation (¥392 million in the previous term) allowed extraordinary income to improve, which in turn contributed to a smaller margin of decline in net income of 19.0% year-over-year. A dividend payment of ¥4 per share is expected to be paid to shareholders as of the term end, combined with the ¥0.5 increased midterm dividend for a full year dividend payment of ¥7.5 per share.KITZ used foreign exchange rates of ¥79.45 per US Dollar, (Actual rate of ¥87.32 in the previous term), and ¥111.17 per Euro (Actual rate of ¥115.06 in the previous term). Also the Company used a price assumption of ¥717,000 per ton (¥738,000 per ton in the previous term) for electrolytic copper. The divergence from estimates is greater with regards to profits because of the settlement of unprofitable projects at the end of the term and valuation losses on inventories.  Valve Manufacturing Business
Sales rose by 3.8% year-over-year to ¥78.97 billion while operating profit fell by 15.1% year-over-year to ¥6.91 billion. Within this total, sales within Japan rose by 2.8% year-over-year to ¥55.02 billion. Sales of products to semiconductor related applications declined due to postponement in capital investments by semiconductor manufacturers in Korea and consigned manufacturers in Taiwan. At the same time, sales to general chemical, food and paper, and gas industry applications rose by 19%, 17% and 17% respectively on the back of the extraordinary demand in the aftermath of the earthquake disaster. Also, Shimizu Alloy Mfg. Co., Ltd., which saw a 13 month fiscal year due to a change in its accounting period, recorded a 9% year-over-year increase in sales of products to water work related applications. Sales to construction facility applications remained in line with the previous term.At the same time, overseas sales rose by 6.2% year-over-year to ¥23.95 billion. Considering changes in accounting periods, which led to shortened 10 month fiscal years for subsidiaries in both Thailand and Taiwan, the 19% year-over-year decline in sales within ASEAN is deemed to have been flat in real term after the impact of the shortened fiscal year is considered. Sales of products in North America rose by 16% year-over-year on the back of recoveries in petroleum refining and petrochemical industries. Sales in China also rose by 57% year-over-year due to strong demand for general use valves from construction facility applications. With regards to profits, increases in volumes and declines in materials costs were negated by the strong yen, intensifying competition that drove product pricing lower, rising copper prices, and the occurrence of large unprofitable projects (Depressed profits by ¥800 million) in the Middle East.  Brass Bar Manufacturing Business
Sales and operating profit declined by 0.8% and 57.8% year-over-year to ¥20.06 billion and ¥260 million respectively. During the first half, sales volumes increased despite the higher copper prices, but sales volumes declined during the second half despite a sudden decline in prices. Consequently full year sales were basically in line with the previous year' s levels, but translation losses on materials led to a large decline in profits.
Other
Sales declined by 3.3% year-over-year to ¥9.404 billion, while operating profit rose by 12.8% year-over-year to ¥354 million. Both hotel and fitness club businesses were negatively impacted by the Great East Japan Earthquake. However, sales of the fitness club business declined, but operating profit rose due to the positive contribution from power saving efforts and reductions in sales promotional costs.
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| Fiscal Year March 2013 Earnings Estimates |
 Sales and Ordinary Profit Expected to Rise by 3.3% and 41.3%
KITZ calls for sales to rise by 3.3% year-over-year to ¥112.0 billion during the fiscal year March 2013. While weak demand and weak prices of copper are expected to contribute to a decline in sales of Brass Bar Manufacturing Business sales, sales of valves in overseas markets are expected to rise. Unprofitable projects are also expected to be eliminated through increases in pricing, and profits are expected to rise by over 30% in the Valve Manufacturing Business. KITZ projects a ¥1.5 increase in dividends to ¥9.0 per share (Midterm and term-end dividend of ¥4.5 each).
  Valve Manufacturing Business
Sales and operating profit are expected to rise by 7.2% and 30.9% year-over-year to ¥84.7 and ¥9.05 billion respectively. Sales within Japan and in overseas markets are expected to rise by 2% and 20% respectively. While declines in orders from the semiconductor manufacturing equipment and plant applications are expected near term in Japan, the spending of budgets for the Great East Japan Earthquake recovery efforts are expected to lead to recoveries in private sector capital investments and sales of valves to machinery equipment and industrial applications are expected to rise.At the same time, sales in Asia including the Middle East, North America, and Europe are expected to rise by 19% (5% on an real terms because of the changes in accounting periods), 9%, and 43% respectively. One of the growth drivers in the Asia region is expected to be China, due in part to increases in automated valves and general use valves sold to construction facility applications from the sales offices in Shanghai and Beijing, and continued favorable demand for Perrin GmbH products from applications in the coal chemical and petrochemical industries. At the same time, KITZ SCT Corporation will implement measures to expand its valve sales to the semiconductor manufacturing equipment applications. Aside from China, the full scale deployment of business in the newly opened Singapore sales facility is expected to strengthen KITZ's sales in the 10 countries within the ASEAN region. In North America, conditions within the construction facility industry remain difficult while demand continues to trend avorably from the oil and gas facility applications on the back of active development of shale gas reserves (The same three brand strategy as that used in China will be deployed including KITZ, Perrin GmbH, KITZ SCT). At the same time, the sovereign debt problems are creating uncertainty in Europe, but KITZ will endeavor to cultivate demand for its three brands including KITZ, Perrin GmbH and its subsidiary ISO in Spain. With regards to profits, positive effects from stability in prices of copper, stainless and other materials and price hikes implemented in the previous term are expected to materialize. Furthermore cost controls are now being implemented on a number of smaller projects in progress and profitability is expected to stabilize.  Brass Bar Manufacturing Business
Sales and operating profit are expected to fall by 9.3% and 6.4% year-over-year to ¥18.2 billion and ¥250 million respectively. KITZ' s assumes sales volumes to fall by 3.7% year-over-year to 3,000 tons and a price of copper of ¥700,000 per ton (¥717,000 per ton in the previous term.). Based on these assumptions, KITZ expects a sales decline to be unavoidable despite its efforts to fortify sales of special and fine materials and other higher value added products due to weakness in both demand and prices of copper. With regards to profits, KITZ will reduce costs by manufacturing billet (processing material) internally.
Other
With regards to fitness club business, a recovery from the negative impact in the previous fiscal year of the Great East Japan Earthquake is expected to allow sales to rise (¥75 million year-over-year increase to ¥5.65 billion). However, operating profit is expected to fall (¥45 million year-over-year decline to ¥285 million) due in part to increasing electric power costs. At the same time, sales and operating profit at hotels are expected to rise to ¥3.42 billion and ¥55 million, respectively, due to the disappearance of cancellations of reservations and restraint in travel by large groups and individuals seen during the previous term. Suwa Garasu Koubou Co., Ltd., which sells glass art work at its facilities in Suwa, Nagano Prefecture, was sold in June 2012.
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| Conclusions |
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Disclaimer
This report is intended solely for information purposes, and is not intended as a solicitation to invest in the shares of this company. The information and opinions contained within this report are based on data made publicly available by the Company, and comes from sources that we judge to be reliable. However we cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the data. This report is not a guarantee of the accuracy, completeness or validity of said information and or opinions, nor do we bear any responsibility for the same. All rights pertaining to this report belong to Investment Bridge Co., Ltd., which may change the contents thereof at any time without prior notice. All investment decisions are the responsibility of the individual and should be made only after proper consideration.Copyright(C) 2012 Investment Bridge Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved. For back numbers of Bridge Reports on KITZ CORPORATION (6498), please go to our website at the following url. www.bridge-salon.jp/ |
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