ILEX

What ILEX does

ILEX Inc. (株式会社アイレックスス) is a privately held Japanese manufacturer founded in 1996 and headquartered in Suita City, Osaka Prefecture, that develops and sells professional pet grooming shower systems, related care products, and supplements to pet grooming salons and veterinary hospitals. The company's proprietary core technology centers on nanobubble ozone water generation, anchored by Japanese Patent No. 3287349 (filed July 10, 2001) covering a special mixing nozzle that combines water from a shower hose with ozone to produce ozone nanobubble water. Using a high-speed shearing method, ILEX claims its systems generate 36 times more bubbles than aspirator alternatives, with 1 liter containing 950,000 ultra-fine bubbles, and a glass-coated discharge ozone generator that requires no electrodes, UV lamps, catalysts, or desiccants. The product portfolio spans flagship shower systems (Ozone Pet Shower, Quattro System, ILEX FINE, CURE3/CURE4, MW-1), shampoo machines (BS-1, BS-2S), accessories (Nano Cube, Ozone Pet Washer, FRP treatment tables), and a broad care line including ceramide shampoo series, foam packs (Honey, Ghassoul, Argan, Premium, Rinse), supplements (NKD Syrup, Lifeline, Kaikai Syrup, Ceramide Collagen), and specialty sprays.

ILEX operates a direct-to-customer model with no dealer network, selling via phone, FAX, online inquiry, and the ilex-shop.com e-commerce site, and runs a nationwide free demo machine lending program that allows prospective buyers to trial equipment before purchase. Its go-to-market is heavily event-driven: it has been the official sponsor of FCI Japan International Dog Shows and JKC grooming competitions annually since 2015, sponsored the 1st FCI Grooming World Championship in 2023, and runs an ILEX Global Ambassador program supporting groomers in international contests (including a BEST IN K-GROOMING win at HYPONIC 2026 POLAND). An advisory board of veterinary dermatology specialists lends clinical credibility and feeds product feedback into the design cycle. Revenue derives from one-time hardware purchases, recurring care product and supplement sales, and an optional maintenance service (overhaul cleaning every 2–3 years at a base fee of 20,000 yen plus parts), with cumulative 8,000+ units installed in Japan and distribution in approximately 16 countries. The company celebrated its 30th anniversary in July 2026 and operates as an independent, founder-managed private corporation with no external investors, parent company, or public financial disclosure.

Name

ILEX

Legal name

株式会社アイレックス

Website

https://ilex.ac

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ILEX Inc. is a privately held Japanese manufacturer (founded 1996, Osaka) of professional pet grooming shower systems built on patented nanobubble ozone technology, selling directly to pet grooming salons and veterinary hospitals across approximately 16 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pet Grooming Equipment

NAICS

Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services (812910), Toilet Preparation Manufacturing (325620), Soap and Cleaning Compound Manufacturing (32561)

SIC

Soap, Detergents, Cleang Preparations, Perfumes, Cosmetics (2840), Perfumes, Cosmetics & Other Toilet Preparations (2844)

akta.pro primary industry

Standard Full-Service Dog Grooming (HSANAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Bath & Brush Packages (HSANAAAC)

Keywords

• Pet grooming equipment
• Ozone shower systems
• Nanobubble technology
• Veterinary bathing equipment
• Pet care products

Headquarters

HQ city

Suita

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Shower Equipment Sales: Sale of core products including Ozone Pet Shower, Quattro System, CURE3/4 carbonated bath systems, MW-1 micro-bubble systems, and related shower equipment. One-time purchase model with optional maintenance services.
2. Care Products: Sale of care products including ceramide shampoo series, foam packs (honey, ghassoul, argan), apple wash series, bear grass bath products, barrier spray, skin care spray, and other pet grooming care items.
3. Supplements: Sale of pet supplements including Lifeline series, NKD Syrup, and related health products for pets.
4. Maintenance and Repair Services: Overhaul (decomposition cleaning) services offered every 2-3 years. Base fee of 20,000 yen plus parts. Loaner machine provided during repair period.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

ILEX designs, manufactures, and sells professional pet grooming shower systems that generate nanobubble and micro-bubble ozone water for cleaning, deodorizing, and skin care of dogs and cats. Its product lineup includes the flagship Ozone Pet Shower, the premium Quattro System all-in-one unit, ILEX FINE ultra-fine bubble shower, CURE3/CURE4 carbonated bath systems, shampoo machines, and a complementary range of ceramide shampoos, foam packs, supplements, and other pet care consumables sold to grooming salons and veterinary clinics.

Product overview

ILEX is a Japanese pet care equipment and products company offering a comprehensive portfolio centered on shower/bathing systems and care products for professional pet grooming salons and veterinary clinics. The product lineup consists of two main categories: shower products (シャワー製品) and care products (ケア用品). Shower products include core systems like the Ozone Pet Shower (オゾンペットシャワー) for nano bubble ozone cleaning, the Quattro System (クワトロシステム) as a premium all-in-one system combining carbonated bath and micro bubbles, the ILEX FINE ultra fine bubble system, CURE3/CURE4 carbonated bath systems, Micro Bubble MW-1, shampoo machines BS-1/BS-2S, Nano Cube for facility hygiene, and the Ozone Pet Washer. Care products include foam packs (Honey, Ghassoul, Argan variants plus new Premium and Rinse formulas), Ceramide shampoo and conditioner series, tone-up clay mask, Apple Wash bio/bubble series, Kumazasa bath solution, barrier and skin care sprays, ear and face clear products, supplements including Kaikai Syrup and Lifeline series, and the Deep Moisture Mist. The company also provides accessories like medical stands and treatment tables. ILEX operates on a direct-to-customer model without agents or distributors, and has been serving the pet care industry for over 30 years since founding in 1996.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Ozone Pet Shower (オゾンペットシャワー) Professional nanobubble ozone pet shower that mixes tap water with ozone via a patented special mixing nozzle to generate ozone nano-bubble water. PSE-marked medical substance generator with automatic ON/OFF and adjustable ozone concentration. Designed for pet grooming salons and veterinary clinics.
• Quattro System (クワトロシステム) Premium total care all-in-one system combining carbonated bath, micro bubble, and carbonated micro bubble functions with switchable ozone and carbonation modes for versatile pet care. Targets professional grooming salons seeking the highest-tier offering in the ILEX lineup.
• ILEX FINE (アイレックス ファイン) Ultra-fine bubble one-pass composite shower system for pets. Leverages ILEX's ultra-fine bubble technology in a single-pass configuration for grooming and skin care.
• CURE3 (キュア3) Artificial high-concentration carbonated bath system providing carbonated spring, micro bubble, and carbonated micro bubble functions for therapeutic and cosmetic pet bathing.
• CURE4 (キュア4) Carbonated bath system featuring carbonated spring, micro bubble, and carbonated micro bubble functions for pet grooming and skin care.
• Micro Bubble MW-1 (マイクロバブルMW1) Power-free micro bubble shower system designed for simple, easy-to-use micro bubble bathing. An entry-level option for salons wanting to add micro bubble functionality.
• Shampoo Machine BS-1 (シャワーマシン BS-1) Pet washing and grooming shampoo machine for professional pet grooming operations.
• Shampoo Machine BS-2S (シャンプーマシン BS-2S) Professional shampoo machine combining carbonated bath and carbonated foam shampoo functions for efficient pet washing and coat treatment.
• Nano Cube (ナノキューブ) Nano cube unit designed for strong sterilization, deodorization, and hygiene maintenance within pet care facilities.
• Ozone Pet Washer (オゾン ペット ウォッシャー) Large-capacity washable ozone pet washing device for high-volume grooming operations.
• FRP Treatment Table (FRP製処置台) Fiberglass-reinforced plastic treatment table for pet grooming and care procedures, designed to pair with ILEX shower systems.
• IL Medical Stand (IL メディカルスタンド) Medical stainless steel stand designed for the Ozone Pet Shower, compatible with treatment tables for clinical bathing setups.
• QUATTRO+Plus Series (クワトロプラス シリーズ) All-in-one micro bubble shower system available in five models, combining micro bubbles, ozone, carbonation, and vibration water flow in a single machine with intuitive switch operation. Replaces multiple dedicated units with one device for grooming salons.
• Premium Honey Foam Pack (はちみつ泡パック プレミアム) Amino-acid beauty serum foam pack combining honey, ghassoul, and argan elements. Maintains skin barrier function while restoring coat elasticity; targets professional groomers and salons.
• Rinse Foam Pack (リンス泡パック) New-concept foam pack using plant stem cells and cashmere keratin to physically fill the coat interior, with lactic acid for water-cutting performance. Targets professional groomers seeking next-gen rinse products.
• Mashumaro Foam Pack Series (Honey / Ghassoul / Argan) Three-variant moisturizing foam pack series: Honey (standard moisturizing for show dogs and long-haired breeds), Ghassoul (refreshing, makes coat fluffy, popular for toy poodles), and Argan (extra moisturizing for long-haired dogs and winter use). Professional finishing product for salons.
• Ceramide Basic Shampoo (セラミドベーシックシャンプー) Premium ceramide-based shampoo series for skin care, available in multiple sizes including 30ml, 300ml, 1L, and 4L. Redesigned with new packaging in January 2024.
• Ceramide Care Shampoo (セラミドケアシャンプー) Ceramide-based care shampoo designed for enhanced skin and coat care during routine pet bathing.
• Ceramide Conditioner (セラミドコンディショナー) Ceramide-based conditioner applied after shampoo for post-wash coat and skin care.
• Tone Up Clay Mask (トーンアップクレイマスク) Luxury mud pack for coat and skin treatment in professional grooming settings.
• Apple Wash Series (Bio and Bubble) Gentle enzyme bath product line using apple and vegetable-derived enzymes. Apple Wash Bio is the base formulation; Apple Wash Bubble adds surfactant for a foaming visual effect while maintaining cleaning performance.
• Kumazasa Bath Solution (クマザサ温浴湯) Bamboo grass-based warming bath solution for therapeutic pet bathing treatments.
• Barrier Spray (バリアスプレー) Spray product for skin protection and barrier support for pets with sensitive skin.
• Skin Care Spray (スキンケアスプレー) General-purpose spray for routine skin care maintenance of pets.
• Ear Clear (イヤークリア) Ear cleaning product for routine pet ear hygiene maintenance.
• Face Clear (フェイスクリア) Facial cleaning product for pet facial hygiene.
• Oral Clean (オーラクリン) Oral hygiene product for routine pet dental care.
• Skin Aid (スキンエイド) Topical skin support product for pets with skin concerns.
• Deep Moisture Mist (ディープモイスチャーミスト) Fine mist spray for daily brushing comfort, protecting pets against dryness and itchiness. Contains plant stem cells and Alpine herbal serum with a soap scent. Available in 350ml spray and 1L refill pouch.
• Mellow Face (メロー フェイス) Face-specific shampoo for pet facial cleansing. Available in 1L refill, 150ml premium pump type, and refill packages.
• Kaikai Syrup by NKD Syrup (カイカイシロップ by NKDシロップ) Pet supplement syrup designed to improve allergic constitution, prevent seborrhea and dry skin, and strengthen resistance to infections by boosting immunity. Relaunched in new packaging in November 2024.
• Ceramide Collagen Supplement (セラミドコラーゲン) Collagen supplement with ceramide formulated to support pet skin and coat health from within.
• Lifeline Supplement Series (ライフライン) Pet supplement series for internal health care, positioned by ILEX as complementary to external care using the Ozone Pet Shower.
• Maintenance and Overhaul Service Periodic overhaul (decomposition cleaning) service offered every 2-3 years for ILEX shower equipment, with a base fee of 20,000 yen plus parts. A loaner machine is provided during the repair period.

Quantifiable outcome

• 8000+ units in daily use nationwide with zero reported health incidents
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• FCI Japan / Japan Kennel Club (JKC)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2015ILEX has been an official sponsor of FCI Japan International Dog Shows and JKC-organized grooming competitions since 2015. This includes annual participation at events like the Sakura Annual Show, Royal Canin Cup, and the Trimming Competition (Trimming Contest). The company provides sponsorship, exhibition booths, and uniform provision for event participants.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Andis Company: Andis is a leading US manufacturer of professional hair clippers and pet grooming equipment (shears, dryers, tables), competing directly with ILEX in the professional pet grooming salon equipment category, though focused on clippers rather than shower systems.
• Shor-Line: Shor-Line manufactures professional animal-handling and grooming equipment including bathing tubs, tubs and grooming tables for veterinary clinics and groomers, comparable to ILEX's shower-system and treatment-table products for the same end customers.
• Chris Christensen Systems: Chris Christensen is a US premium pet grooming brand selling tools, shampoos, conditioners and coat-care products to professional groomers and show-dog handlers, overlapping with ILEX's professional groomer customer base and care-product portfolio.
• Geib Buttercut: Geib Buttercut is a long-established US maker of professional grooming shears, blades and coat-care products, competing for the same professional pet groomer wallet as ILEX with a comparable premium, professional-channel positioning.
• Tronchetti Pro: Tronchetti Pro is an Italian/European maker of professional pet grooming tables, tubs and equipment serving grooming salons across Europe, comparable to ILEX's premium shower and treatment-table products in the professional grooming category.

Broad incumbents

• Wahl Clipper Corporation: Wahl is a large, established US grooming-tools brand selling professional clippers, trimmers and pet grooming equipment globally. It overlaps with ILEX as a broad incumbent serving the same professional pet groomer customer base with a much wider product portfolio.

Emerging players

• Earthbath: Earthbath is a US natural pet care brand selling shampoos, conditioners, sprays and wipes. It overlaps with ILEX's care-product portfolio (foams, shampoos, skin sprays) and targets similar pet-owner and salon use cases, though without shower-system hardware.
• Vet's Best: Vet's Best is a US natural pet wellness brand selling shampoos, dental, hot-spot and skin-care products. It overlaps with ILEX's pet skin-care and bath-treatment line in addressing skin-condition and hygiene needs of dogs and cats.

Others

• PetEdge: PetEdge is a large US distributor and retailer of professional pet grooming supplies and equipment, including tables, tubs, dryers and care products. It is comparable to ILEX as a channel partner/professional supplier rather than a direct equipment competitor.

Regional players

• Okada Shouji / Sharp Edge Pet (Japanese grooming equipment makers): Okada Shouji and similar Japanese manufacturers sell professional pet grooming tables, dryers and tubs primarily within Japan, making them the closest geographic peers to ILEX in the Japanese professional grooming-equipment market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ilex.ac
• Instagraminstagram.com/ilex.ac?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
• Xtwitter.com/share?url=https://www.ilex.ac/&text=%E3%83%8A%E3%83%8E%E3%83%90%E3%83%96%E3%83%AB+%E3%82%AA%E3%82%BE%E3%83%B3%E3%83%9A%E3%83%83%E3%83%88%E3%82%B7%E3%83%A3%E3%83%AF%E3%83%BC+%E6%A0%AA%E5%BC%8F%E4%BC%9A%E7%A4%BE%E3%82%A2%E3%82%A4%E3%83%AC%E3%83%83%E3%82%AF%E3%82%B9

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ILEX