What Kowan does

Kowan Co., Ltd. (コーワン株式会社) is a privately-held Japanese integrated logistics company founded in 1948 and headquartered in Bizen, Okayama Prefecture. The company operates an 'All-in-One Logistics' model that bundles four core services under a single organization: stevedoring (port cargo handling at Katakami Port), warehousing (67,254 sqm of frozen, chilled, ambient, temperature-controlled, and hazardous-materials storage), transport (76-truck fleet with GPS real-time tracking), and support services (inspection, packaging, pallet manufacturing, logistics outsourcing). Technology infrastructure is operational rather than AI-driven, comprising the NACCS computer system for customs clearance, a proprietary warehouse inventory management system, GPS fleet tracking, and an automatic pallet nail machine producing approximately 10,000 pallets per month across in-house and partner factories.

The company serves enterprise B2B customers across at least five verticals — steel and automotive parts (NTN Corporation, an in-plant logistics customer since 1972), refractories and ceramics, food distribution, precision machinery, and trading houses (Itochu Corporation, designated logistics partner since 1974) — under quote-based enterprise contracts. Revenue mechanics span managed services (warehousing, integrated logistics), transaction fees (transport), professional services (stevedoring), and hardware sales (pallets, packaging). The wholly-owned subsidiary group — Bizen Kotsu (transport), Bizen Petroleum (fuel), Kowan Kiki (machinery) — provides vertical integration across transport, fuel supply, and equipment.

Kowan holds ISO 9001 (since 2004), ISO 14001 (since 2012), and G-Mark safety certification (since 2009), plus customs brokerage, bonded storage, and worker dispatch licenses. It employs 569 full-time staff across approximately 16 facilities in Okayama Prefecture, including the Setouchi Fruits Garden tourism farm opened in 2012. Recent strategic actions include petroleum sales entry (December 2024), headquarters relocation (September 2019), and the Fifth Logistics Center opening (July 2021). The company is recognized in source materials as one of the top integrated logistics operators in the Chugoku-Shikoku region, with no disclosed revenue, no external institutional investors, and management under Representative Director Chiyuki Nakazaki.

Name

Kowan

Legal name

コーワン株式会社

Website

https://kowan.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1948

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Kowan is a privately-held Japanese integrated logistics company in Okayama Prefecture that bundles stevedoring, multi-temperature warehousing, trucking, and logistics support into a single 'All-in-One' service for enterprise customers including NTN and Itochu Corporation, operating 16 facilities with 569 employees across the Chugoku-Shikoku region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Integrated Logistics Services

NAICS

Marine Cargo Handling (488320), Other Warehousing and Storage (493190), Warehousing and Storage (4931)

SIC

Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731)

akta.pro primary industry

Stevedoring & Vessel Loading/Discharging (Ship-to-Shore Operations) (TLAHALAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Terminal Cargo Handling & Yard Operations (Receiving, Staging, Delivery) (TLAHALAB), Breakbulk & Project Cargo Handling (Heavy Lift, Out-of-Gauge Handling) (TLAHALAH), Public Refrigerated Warehousing (Multi-Client) (AFAOAFAA), Port/Terminal Heavy Cargo Handling & Stevedoring (Heavy Crane Ops) (TLAIAKAD)

Keywords

• Integrated logistics services
• Port cargo handling
• Warehousing and storage
• Freight transportation
• Customs clearance services

Headquarters

HQ city

Okayama

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices16 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Integrated Logistics Services (All-in-One Logistics): Kowan provides comprehensive logistics services covering the full supply chain from cargo handling at ports through warehousing, transport, and support operations. This integrated approach enables end-to-end management of customer logistics needs.
2. Stevedoring (Port Cargo Handling): Cargo loading/unloading operations at Katakami Port in Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture, including customs clearance, bonded storage, and transportation to warehouses.
3. Warehousing Services: Storage services across multiple warehouse types including frozen (below -18°C), chilled (0-10°C), ambient, temperature-controlled, and hazardous materials warehouses. Total floor area of 67,254 sqm.
4. Transport Services: General cargo transportation and industrial waste collection and transport services using a fleet including wing trucks, flatbed dump trucks, and flatbed vehicles. GPS tracking for fleet management.
5. Support Services: Inspection, packing, pallet manufacturing and sales, packaging materials sales, logistics outsourcing, and logistics planning/proposal services.
6. Agricultural Production and Sales: Tourism farm 'Setouchi Fruit Garden' for strawberry and blueberry picking, plus direct sales of local produce.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Kowan provides integrated 'All-in-One Logistics' services covering the full supply chain: stevedoring (port cargo handling, customs clearance, bonded storage at Katakami Port), warehousing (67,254 sqm of frozen, chilled, ambient, temperature-controlled, and hazardous materials storage), transport (general freight, industrial waste collection, and wide-area delivery via a fleet of 76 trucks with GPS tracking), and support services (inspection, packing, pallet manufacturing and sales, packaging materials, logistics outsourcing, and logistics planning). The company also operates Setouchi Fruit Garden, a tourism farm offering strawberry and blueberry picking, a cafe, and direct sales of local produce.

Product overview

Kowan operates as a comprehensive logistics company offering four core integrated services: Stevedoring (port cargo handling), Warehousing (temperature-controlled storage), Transport (freight delivery), and Support (inspection, packaging, pallet manufacturing, and logistics outsourcing). The company manages logistics operations spanning from port cargo handling through customs clearance, storage, and final delivery, providing an 'All-In-One Logistics' service model. The company also operates a tourism subsidiary, Setouchi Fruits Garden, which encompasses strawberry/blueberry picking, a cafe, and direct-sales market operations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 瀬戸内フルーツガーデン (Setouchi Fruits Garden): Tourist farm operation offering strawberry and blueberry picking, cafe, and direct sales market. Opened in 2012 as part of regional activation initiatives.

Products and services

• Stevedoring (荷役業) Port cargo handling services including loading/unloading, cargo sorting, storage, customs clearance via NACCS, and bonded storage at Katakami Port in Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture. Provides consistent value-added services from inspection to packaging for manufacturers and trading companies.
• Warehousing (倉庫業) Storage services including frozen (below -18°C), chilled (0-10°C), ambient, temperature-controlled, and dangerous goods (Class 4 petroleum) warehouses with total floor space of 67,254 sqm. Manages frozen and refrigerated food and precision machinery under optimal conditions, leveraging Okayama locations for logistics efficiency and cost reduction.
• Transport (運送業) General freight and wide-area delivery services using diverse vehicles including wing trucks, flatbed dump trucks, and auto-sheet dump trucks, with GPS-enabled real-time tracking for safety and efficiency. Includes industrial waste collection and transport for recycling.
• Support Services (サポート業) Comprehensive logistics support including inspection/packaging, pallet manufacturing and sales (~10,000 pieces/month capacity), packaging materials sales, logistics outsourcing, and logistics planning/proposal services. Skilled staff support inbound to outbound operations to improve efficiency and reduce costs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 67,254 sqm total warehouse floor space managed
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Itochu Corporation (伊藤忠商事株式会社)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 1974Registered as designated logistics partner since April 1974. Kowan's integrated logistics capabilities enabled Itochu to efficiently manage cargo import and distribution operations.
• NTN Corporation (NTN株式会社)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 1972Began logistics operations at NTN Okayama Manufacturing Plant in November 1972 and at NTN Akanui Manufacturing Plant. Provides on-site inspection, packaging, and logistics services for automotive parts.
• Chugoku Bank (中国銀行)minorOthersPrimary banking partner listed in company profile.
• Mitsubishi UFJ Bank (三菱UFJ銀行)minorOthersBanking partner listed in company profile.
• Shoko Chukin Bank (商工組合中央金庫)minorOthersBanking partner listed in company profile.
• Hyakujushi Bank (百十四銀行)minorOthersBanking partner listed in company profile.
• Sanin Godo Bank (山陰合同銀行)minorOthersBanking partner listed in company profile.
• Japan Finance Corporation (日本政策金融公庫)minorOthersBanking/financial partner listed in company profile.
• Bizen Hassei Shinkin Bank (備前日生信用金庫)minorOthersLocal banking partner listed in company profile.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Senko Group Holdings Co., Ltd. Major Japanese logistics conglomerate with warehousing, transport, and international forwarding. Comparable as a multi-service 3PL with national reach versus Kowan's regional integrated model.
• Seino Holdings Co., Ltd. One of Japan's largest trucking and logistics groups with nationwide network and diversified services including warehousing. Broad incumbent comparison for Kowan's transport and logistics support offerings.
• LOGISTEED Holdings (formerly Hitachi Transport System): Major Japanese 3PL with extensive warehousing, in-plant logistics, and forwarding operations. Comparable for on-site manufacturer-embedded logistics services similar to Kowan's NTN contract.
• Nippon Express Holdings Co., Ltd. Japan's largest logistics company with global network spanning freight forwarding, warehousing, and moving services. Represents the nationwide incumbent against which regional players like Kowan compete.
• Sumitomo Warehouse Co., Ltd. Long-established Japanese warehousing and logistics provider with port-linked real estate and multimodal operations. Overlaps with Kowan's port-anchored warehousing and customs-cleared storage business.
• Sankyu Inc. Japanese logistics group with warehousing, international forwarding, and heavy cargo handling capabilities. Comparable for breakbulk and industrial logistics services akin to Kowan's port-side operations.

Regional players

• Fukuyama Transporting Co., Ltd. Large Japanese trucking and logistics group headquartered in Hiroshima with strong Chugoku-Shikoku regional density. Overlaps with Kowan's transport and warehousing operations in the same geography.

Direct peers

• Yokorei Co., Ltd. Major Japanese cold storage and frozen food logistics operator with extensive refrigerated warehouse network. Comparable to Kowan in temperature-controlled warehousing, food industry focus, and regional facility footprint.
• Konoike Transport Co., Ltd. Japanese logistics company offering integrated warehousing, transport, and on-site factory logistics services. Closely comparable to Kowan's All-in-One model and manufacturer-embedded service style (NTN contract analog).
• Maruha Nichiro Logistics: Specialist cold chain logistics subsidiary of Maruha Nichiro operating frozen and refrigerated warehousing and transport across Japan. Directly comparable to Kowan's frozen (-18°C) and chilled warehousing and food industry customer base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=d_lZ6eJm5k4
• Instagraminstagram.com/setouchi_fg

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Kowan