What Daiichi Kogyo Co. does

Daiichi Kogyo Co. (第一工業株式会社) is a privately held Japanese engineering and construction company founded in 1924 and headquartered in Tokyo. It operates two core business divisions. The Environmental Equipment Division designs, constructs, and maintains HVAC, plumbing and sanitation, fire protection, and renovation systems for commercial, institutional, and government facilities; notable projects include the National Diet Building, Tokyo Dome, Tokyo Midtown, Narita International Airport, JAXA Tsukuba, RIKEN, Keio University, and the Kyoto National Museum. The Transport Systems Division manufactures and installs proprietary sorting equipment — Wave Sorter (7,200+ units/hour parcel sorting), Sunflap Sorter (book sorting), Vertical Crossbelt Sorter, Wing Sorter (5,700+ units/hour newspaper sorting), Fin Sorter, and Fit Sorter (layout-free tilt tray) — deployed across Japan Post Yu-Pack facilities, major delivery centers, and 100+ newspaper printing centers. The company also acquired BPS (March 2021) and Metrotech (March 2025) to build a third pillar in mailing/inserting systems, both of which were subsequently merged into the parent company.

The business model is project-based and B2B: revenue is generated through one-time construction contracts, hardware sales of sorting equipment, recurring maintenance services (legally mandated inspections, preventive maintenance, lifecycle management), and renewal/renovation projects. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. The company sells primarily through direct enterprise engagement via its 17 office locations across Japan and through direct export to India, Taiwan, Korea, Malaysia, Poland, and Denmark. GTM includes trade shows (International Logistics Exhibition, JANPS), website inquiry forms, and major recruitment campaigns on Rikunabi and Mynavi. Workforce credentials are a key operational asset, with 224 first-class pipe construction management engineers, 153 certified air conditioning/sanitation engineers, 155 Class A fire equipment engineers, and 113 water supply equipment chief engineers. Leadership transitioned in April 2025 when Sano Hiroyasu became President, with Shinohara Naohiko moving to Chairman (and later to Advisor in April 2026), formalizing a generational succession. The company operates an India subsidiary (DAIICHI KOGYO INDIA Pvt Ltd, established 2012) and reported FY2025 completed construction value of ¥20,652 million with 394 employees as of March 2025. A ransomware incident in March 2026 entered through a VPN device; the company reported to the police and Personal Information Protection Commission with no external data leakage confirmed.

Name

Daiichi Kogyo Co.

Legal name

第一工業株式会社

Website

https://ichiko.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1924

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Daiichi Kogyo Co. is a 100-year-old privately held Japanese engineering firm providing HVAC, plumbing, and fire protection construction for institutional buildings, plus proprietary automated sorting systems (Wave, Fin, Fit, Wing, Sunflap, Vertical Crossbelt Sorters) for postal, delivery, publishing, and logistics operators domestically and across Asia and Europe.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Material Handling Equipment

NAICS

Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors (238220), Air-Conditioning and Warm Air Heating Equipment and Commercial and Industrial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing (333415), Industrial Machinery Manufacturing (3332)

SIC

Air-Cond & Warm Air Heatg Equip & Comm & Indl Refrig Equip (3585), Construction, Mining & Materials Handling Machinery & Equip (3530)

akta.pro primary industry

HVAC & Refrigeration Contracting (IMAFALAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Refrigeration Systems Maintenance (Commercial/Industrial) (BPABACAI)

Keywords

• HVAC construction services
• Parcel sorting equipment
• Building environmental equipment
• Material handling systems
• Mailing system equipment

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices16 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Environmental Equipment Construction (空気調和設備・給排水衛生設備): Design, construction, and maintenance of HVAC, plumbing, sanitation, fire protection, and related building environment systems. Revenue recognized through project-based construction contracts for new buildings and renovation projects.
2. Transport System (搬送システム): Sale and installation of automated sorting systems (sorters, conveyors, space-saving rail systems) and mailing equipment (envelope inserters, sealing machines). Revenue from equipment sales, system installation, and after-sales maintenance contracts.
3. Maintenance Services (メンテナンスサービス): Ongoing maintenance services for installed HVAC, plumbing, and transport equipment including legally mandated inspections, preventive maintenance, equipment replacement, and lifecycle cost management services.
4. Renewal Business (リニューアル事業): Building equipment renovation and upgrade services, including energy-efficient system replacement, modernization of aging equipment, and system optimization for existing facilities.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Daiichi Kogyo Co. designs, manufactures, and installs automated sorting and material handling systems (sorters, conveyors, ceiling rail transport, envelope inserters) for logistics, postal, publishing, and manufacturing operators. The company also provides design, construction, and maintenance of building environmental systems including HVAC, plumbing/sanitation, and fire protection for commercial, institutional, and government buildings. Services span the full project lifecycle from planning and design through installation, renewal, and ongoing maintenance.

Product overview

Daiichi Kogyo Co. operates two core business divisions providing industrial equipment and systems. The Environmental Equipment Division offers air conditioning (HVAC), plumbing/sanitation, fire protection, and renewal services along with maintenance. The Transport Systems Division manufactures sorting systems including the Wave Sorter (high-speed parcel sorting), Sunflap Sorter (book sorting), Vertical Crossbelt Sorter (mail sorting), Wing Sorter (newspaper sorting), Fin Sorter (compact sorting), and Fit Sorter (flexible layout sorting), plus supporting equipment like Space Lori ceiling conveyors and feeder machines. The company also acquired BPS (mailing/inserting systems) in 2021. Specialty technologies include ultra-low humidity systems, automotive environmental test equipment, and turbo refrigerator heat source systems. Products are marketed to logistics centers, postal services, newspaper publishers, and commercial/industrial facilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Wave Sorter (ウェーブソータ) High-speed roller rotation sorting system for delivery parcels, books, and envelopes. Processes up to 7,200+ items/hour at conveyor speeds of 90m/min and handles packages up to 50kg with gentle tilting angles to prevent item damage. Used by postal services, parcel delivery companies, and publishers.
• Sunflap Sorter (サンフラップソータ) Book sorting and accumulation automation system using barcoded tray sorting. Sorts up to 3,000 books/hour per loading station (max 9,000/hour with 3 stations). Handles items from A6 size to B5 size, thickness 5-40mm, weight 50g-2kg. Used by publishers and distribution centers.
• Vertical Cross Belt Sorter (縦型クロスベルトソータ) Vertical circulating conveyor system for mail, booklets, and small parcel sorting using ferris wheel-style circulation with upper and lower tiers. Sorting capacity of 7,200 units/hour at 72m/min conveyor speed. Features automatic container supply/discharge for full-auto operation. Used by postal services and publishers.
• Wing Sorter (ウィングソータ) Belt conveyor type sorting device for newspaper printing facilities. Short conveyors rotate to divert bundles with 5,700+ items/hour processing capability. Features simple structure reducing maintenance costs and direct drive motors for quiet operation. Used by newspaper publishers and printing centers.
• Fin Sorter (フィンソータ) Compact cross belt sorter specialized for post-drop-size parcels. Features compact design with upper/lower 2-level left-right discharge, approximately 1.1m width. Uses fin-equipped belt for stable ejection. Sorting capacity of 3,600 units/hour. Power consumption reduced by approximately 80% compared to conventional equipment.
• Fit Sorter (フィットソータ) Tilt tray type sorter with free layout capability. Adapts to horizontal, vertical, and curved lines, accommodating irregularly shaped buildings. Tray design with 3-sided enclosure handles irregular packages. Sorting capacity of 6,000 units/hour.
• Space Lori Ceiling Conveyor (スペースローリ) Ceiling-mounted rail system for heavy material transport. Supports up to 100kg per carrier with robust construction. Enables floor space optimization and allows flexible building-adapted layouts combining straight and curved sections. Used in hospitals, factories, and logistics facilities.
• Ultra-Low Humidity Technology (超低湿度技術) Specialized air conditioning technology for maintaining ultra-low humidity environments (dry rooms). Applications include lithium-ion battery manufacturing, environmental test chambers, and food/pharmaceutical production and storage facilities.
• Automotive Environmental Test Equipment (自動車関連環境試験設備) Comprehensive environmental testing facilities for motorcycle and automobile development including chassis dynamometer test rooms, engine benches, anechoic chambers, RF shielded rooms, altitude simulation chambers, cold start test rooms, and exhaust gas treatment systems. Used by automotive manufacturers and R&D centers.
• Turbo Refrigerator Heat Source System (ターボ冷凍機熱源システム) Heat source system enabling combined operation of inverter and fixed-speed turbo chillers in single-pump systems. Achieves energy savings by optimizing COP across chillers, chilled water pumps, and cooling water pumps.
• Air Conditioning Equipment (空気調和設備) Complete HVAC solutions including air-cooled heat pump multi-systems, fan coil units, ceiling radiant heating/cooling, single duct systems, large-space climate control, and ventilation equipment for removing toxic gases. Design, installation, and maintenance services for commercial, institutional, and government buildings.
• Plumbing and Sanitation Equipment (給排水衛生設備) Water supply, drainage, gas, fire protection, and sanitation systems for residential and commercial buildings, ensuring safety, hygiene, and earthquake resistance. Design, installation, and maintenance services.
• Fire Protection Equipment (防災設備) Building fire suppression and smoke exhaust systems compliant with building standards and fire service laws.
• Renewal/Renovation Services (リニューアル事業) Building renovation services updating air conditioning and plumbing systems to energy-efficient and environmentally friendly equipment, including system proposals, construction, and facility management during updates.
• Maintenance Services (メンテナンスサービス) Comprehensive maintenance services for HVAC, plumbing, and transport equipment including legally required inspections, preventive maintenance, equipment lifespan extension, and 24-hour emergency response.
• Inserting and Sealing Machines (封入封緘機) Mailing system equipment including inserting machines, sealing machines, and related postal equipment manufactured and maintained by BPS (acquired in 2021 and merged in April 2025) and Metrotech (acquired in 2025 and merged in April 2026). Used by mailrooms, financial institutions, and bulk mail operators.

Quantifiable outcome

• Wave sorter doubles sorting capacity from ~4,000 to 9,000 units/hour, enabling consolidation of two distribution bases into one
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability3 records

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• 株式会社メトロテック (Metrotech Corporation)coreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 31 March 2025Acquired 100% of Metrotech Corporation shares from Imura Corporation in March 2025. Metrotech manufactures envelope inserter equipment (mailing systems). Metrotech was merged into Daiichi Kogyo in April 2026.
• 株式会社ビー・ピー・エス (BPS Corporation)coreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 18 March 2021Acquired 100% of BPS Corporation shares in March 2021. BPS manufactures and maintains mailing systems including envelope inserters and sealers. The acquisition was designed to establish BPS as the company's third business pillar alongside environmental equipment and transport systems. BPS was merged into Daiichi Kogyo in April 2025.
• Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Private Ltd. (HMSI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInstalled electrical equipment and HVAC systems at HMSI Technical Center, Manesar factory in India. This represents a key international project for the environmental equipment business.
• Logistics center operators in Taiwan and KoreaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWave sorter and other sorting equipment installed at logistics centers in Taiwan and Korea as part of international expansion of transport system business.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Kyudenko Co., Ltd. Large Japanese facilities engineering and electrical/HVAC contractor. Comparable to Daiichi Kogyo's environmental equipment business in commercial and institutional building markets.
• Beumer Group GmbH & Co. KG: Global supplier of intralogistics systems including parcel and postal sortation. Competes with Daiichi Kogyo in international sorter markets (Taiwan, Korea, Europe) where Daiichi exports its Wave and other sorters.
• Murata Machinery, Ltd. Manufacturer of logistics systems, automated sorters, and conveying equipment. Overlaps with Daiichi Kogyo's sorter product lines (cross-belt, tilt-tray) for postal and parcel operations.
• Daifuku Co., Ltd. Global leader in material handling systems including sortation, conveyors, and warehouse automation. Comparable to Daiichi Kogyo's Transport Systems Business at a much larger scale across multiple logistics segments.

Direct peers

• Quadient (formerly Neopost): Global provider of mailing, envelope inserting, and shipping automation solutions. Comparable to Daiichi Kogyo's BPS/Metrotech mailing systems product line as a third-pillar business.
• Sanki Engineering Co., Ltd. Major Japanese building services contractor specializing in HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and facility maintenance. Closely comparable to Daiichi Kogyo's environmental equipment, renewal, and maintenance services lines.
• Okura Yusoki Co., Ltd. Japanese manufacturer of conveyor systems, sorters, and material handling equipment for postal, distribution, and manufacturing applications. Closely comparable to Daiichi Kogyo's sorter portfolio.
• Takasago Thermal Engineering Co., Ltd. Japan's largest HVAC and building-environment engineering contractor. Directly comparable to Daiichi Kogyo's Environmental Equipment Business (HVAC, plumbing, sanitation, fire protection) for commercial, institutional, and industrial facilities.
• Shinryo Corporation: Large Japanese HVAC and building-environment engineering firm serving commercial, industrial, and cleanroom clients. Comparable to Daiichi Kogyo across HVAC construction and specialty environmental control.
• Toyo Kanetsu Co., Ltd. (Logistics Solutions): Provider of material handling and logistics systems including sortation for postal and distribution markets in Japan. Comparable to Daiichi Kogyo's Transport Systems Business and conveyor product lines.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries3 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 Daiichi Kogyo Co.