Maruto Refrigeration Co.

What Maruto Refrigeration Co. does

Maruto Refrigeration Co. (丸都冷蔵株式会社) is a Japanese seafood processing manufacturer founded in 1959 and headquartered in Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture. The company operates as a subsidiary of Daito Gyorui Co., Ltd. within the Umios Group — Japan's largest seafood industry conglomerate — and processes primarily squid (ikaring IQF, peeled squid, squid strips, seasoned squid steaks, dried squid), mackerel fillets, sardines, and ship-frozen dried squid sourced from Hachinohe Port and international suppliers in Canada, Peru, Chile, Argentina, China, and Norway. Its core technology stack centers on a -42°C rapid-freezing IQF line, automated size sorting, computer-controlled weighing and packaging, and a combined 3,500-ton cold/refrigerated storage facility with 60 tons per day freezing capacity.

The company's commercial model is sales-led and B2B-dominant. Products are sold to three primary segments — restaurant/food service operators, frozen food manufacturers (including pizza topping suppliers and seafood-mix ingredient buyers), and household consumers — through indirect channels comprising central wholesale markets, regional receivers, and trading companies, supplemented by direct phone/email inquiries for custom orders. Differentiators include custom processing (kanoko cuts, strips, dice, rings, boiling at 90°C+, original seasoning formulations), private-label capability, and JFS-B food safety certification obtained in April 2023 — a credential held by only 12 companies in Aomori Prefecture. Approximately 68 employees (April 2023) operate across sales, production, quality control, cold storage, engineering, and administration, with a related entity (Tsukiji Fresh Maruto Co., Ltd.) operating from Toyomi, Tokyo. Revenue is not publicly disclosed.

Name

Maruto Refrigeration Co.

Legal name

丸都冷蔵株式会社

Website

https://marutoreizo.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1959

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Maruto Refrigeration Co. is a 1959-founded Japanese seafood processor in Hachinohe that produces IQF squid, mackerel, and sardine products for restaurant chains, frozen food manufacturers, and households under the Umios Group.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Seafood Processing

NAICS

Seafood Product Preparation and Packaging (31171)

SIC

Prepared Fresh Or Frozen Fish & Seafoods (2092)

akta.pro primary industry

Frozen Meat, Poultry & Seafood Manufacturing (AFAKACAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Freezing & Cold-Chain Seafood Processing (IQF, Blast Freezing, Glazing) (AFANADAE), Refrigerated Meat & Seafood (Processed/Packaged) (CRADACAK), Smoked, Cured & Salted Seafood (Lox, Kippers, Bacalao) (AFANADAF)

Keywords

• Seafood processing
• Frozen seafood products
• IQF squid products
• Cold chain storage
• Aquatic product manufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Hachinohe

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Processed Seafood Product Sales: Manufacturing and sale of processed aquatic products including IQF squid, squid steaks, mackerel fillets, dried squid, and frozen seafood. Products sold to restaurant industry, frozen food manufacturers, and household consumers through central markets, regional receivers, and trading companies.
2. Cold Storage and Refrigeration Services: Cold storage and refrigeration services with 3,500t storage capacity and 60t/day freezing capability. Storage services for aquatic products sourced from Hachinohe Port as well as imported materials from Canada and other countries.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Maruto Refrigeration Co. is a seafood processing manufacturer that performs primary processing on squid, mackerel, sardines, and other aquatic products landed at Hachinohe Port and imported from countries including Canada, Peru, Chile, Argentina, and Norway. The company uses -42°C rapid freezing and IQF (Individual Quick Freeze) technology to produce a portfolio of processed and frozen seafood products — peeled squid, squid rings, squid strips, squid steaks, dried squid, mackerel fillets, frozen sardines, and ship-frozen squid — and provides cold storage and refrigeration services via its 3,500-ton facility with 60 tons/day freezing capacity. Products are distributed nationwide in Japan to restaurant chains, frozen food manufacturers, pizza topping producers, and households.

Product overview

Maruto Refrigeration Co. is a seafood processing manufacturer that produces a diverse portfolio of aquatic processed products and frozen seafood items. Their product lineup includes squid products (ムキいか, つぼ抜きいかIQF, いか短冊IQF, イカステーキ series, ダルマ, いか一夜干し), mackerel products (サバフィレー, 冷凍さば), sardines (冷凍いわし), and ship-frozen squid (船凍するめいか series). Products are sold through central markets, regional receivers, and trading companies nationwide to the foodservice industry, frozen food manufacturers (as raw materials like seafood mix), pizza toppings, and general households. The company operates primary processing facilities including cutting, boiling (90°C+), seasoning, and rapid freezing at -42°C, with 3,500t cold storage capacity and 60t daily freezing capability.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Muki Ika (ムキいか / Peeled Squid) Squid with skin carefully peeled and kano-ko (small cuts) added, then rapidly frozen. Made from purple squid landed at Hachinohe port, with American bigeye squid variant available. Sold to restaurant chains, frozen food manufacturers, and retail buyers.
• Tsubo-nuki Ika IQF (つぼ抜きいかIQF / Cleaned Squid IQF) Squid with tentacles and entrails removed, size-sorted, and individually rapidly frozen (IQF). Made from Japanese common squid (Hachinohe port), Canadian mud squid, and Argentine red squid. Sold for easy portioning in restaurants and food service.
• Mimi-tsuki Ika Ring IQF (耳付きイカリングIQF / Squid Ring with Ears IQF) Cleaned and frozen squid funnel-carcass cut into ring shapes and individually quick-frozen. Made from Japanese common squid (Hachinohe port and China). Sold to pizza topping manufacturers and restaurant operators.
• Ika Sansaku IQF (いか短冊IQF / Squid Strips IQF) Purple squid from Hachinohe port with skin peeled, kano-ko cuts added, and cut into strips, individually quick-frozen. Recommended for stir-fry dishes. Sold to restaurant chains and frozen food manufacturers.
• Ika Gesoku Pack (いか下足パック / Squid Leg Pack) 1kg pack of squid legs with eyes and fins removed. Available in Canadian mud squid, Argentine red squid, and cut into single or double leg portions. Sold to restaurant and food service customers.
• Hiraki Ika (開きいか / Split Squid) Fresh Japanese common squid from Hachinohe port, gutted and split. Available with or without tentacles. Suitable for grilling, stir-frying, simmered dishes, and frying. Also available in Canadian mud squid. Sold to restaurant operators.
• Yari-ika Round IQF (ヤリイカラウンドIQF) Fresh spear squid from Hachinohe port, individually rapidly frozen. Can be enjoyed as sashimi or fried. Sold to restaurant operators and retail buyers.
• Yari-ika Muki Ika IQF (ヤリイカムキイカIQF / Peeled Spear Squid IQF) Fresh spear squid from Aomori prefecture with skin carefully peeled and individually rapidly frozen. Suitable for raw consumption as sashimi. Sold to high-end sushi restaurants and Japanese cuisine establishments.
• Daruma (ダルマ / Seasoned Whole Squid Snack) Japanese common squid from Hachinohe port finished with original seasoning blend. Lightly seared and enjoyed as a snack or children's treat. Premium product committed to Hachinohe port squid. Sold to retail and food service buyers.
• Ika Steak Plain (イカステーキ プレーン) Thick, tender, voluminous squid steaks made from American bigeye squid. Season to taste before eating. Sold to restaurant operators and household consumers.
• Ika Steak Stamina (イカステーキ スタミナ) Thick, tender, voluminous squid steaks made from American bigeye squid, cut into bite-sized pieces and finished with original seasoning. Spicy taste and appetizing aroma. Convenient 1kg pack. Sold to restaurant operators and household consumers.
• Ika Steak Negi-shio (イカステーキ ねぎ塩) Thick, tender, voluminous squid steaks made from American bigeye squid, cut into bite-sized pieces and finished with original seasoning featuring addictive garlic flavor. Convenient 1kg pack. Sold to restaurant operators and household consumers.
• Ika Ichiya-boshi (いか一夜干し / One-Night Dried Squid) Soft-finished one-night dried squid. Umami concentrated with moderate saltiness. Lightly grill before serving. Made from Canadian mud squid and Argentine red squid. Sold to restaurant operators and household consumers.
• Saba Fillet (サバフィレー / Mackerel Fillet) Mackerel from Hachinohe port, filleted and rapidly frozen. Good fat content recommended for vinegared mackerel, grilled fish, simmered dishes, and frying. Also available in Norwegian mackerel fillet. Sold to restaurant operators and frozen food manufacturers.
• Reitou Saba (冷凍さば / Frozen Mackerel) Fresh, fatty mackerel from Hachinohe port, rapidly frozen. Recommended for vinegared mackerel, grilled fish, and simmered dishes. Sold to restaurant operators.
• Reitou Iwashi (冷凍いわし / Frozen Sardine) Fatty, fresh sardines from Hachinohe port, rapidly frozen. Sold to restaurant operators and food processors.
• Funagate Surume Ika (船凍するめいか / Ship-Frozen Dried Squid) Japanese common squid rapidly frozen on board immediately after catching. Exceptional freshness. Can be enjoyed as sashimi, salted squid, fried, simmered, or grilled dishes. Sold to restaurant operators and wholesale distributors.
• Funagate Surume Ika IQF (船凍するめいかIQF / Ship-Frozen Dried Squid IQF) Japanese common squid rapidly frozen on board immediately after catching. Individually frozen for easy portion control. Recommended for sashimi. Used by high-end sushi restaurants and Japanese cuisine establishments.
• Cold Storage and Refrigeration Services Cold storage and refrigeration services with 3,500-ton capacity and 60 tons/day freezing capability. Storage services for aquatic products sourced from Hachinohe Port as well as imported materials from Canada and other countries. Sold to fish market operators, importers, and seafood processors.

Quantifiable outcome

• JFS-B certification compliance achieved April 2023, covering food safety management system, hazard control, and good manufacturing practice
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 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

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered parent and minor.

• Umios株式会社 (Umios Co., Ltd.)parentStrategic or Co-development PartnerUmios is the leading company in Japan's seafood industry (水产業界最大手) and parent group of Maruto Refrigeration Co. The Umios Group encompasses the seafood processing and distribution operations.
• 株式会社築地フレッシュ丸都 (Tsukiji Fresh Maruto Co., Ltd.)minorOthersRelated company located in Toyomi-cho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo. Part of the Maruto group ecosystem.
• 大都サービス株式会社 (Daito Service Co., Ltd.)minorOthersRelated company located in Toyosu, Koto-ku, Tokyo. Part of the Daito Gyorui group ecosystem.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Trident Seafoods: US-based vertically integrated seafood processor with IQF operations producing frozen fish, shellfish, and processed seafood for foodservice and retail. Comparable to Maruto as an IQF seafood processor serving B2B and foodservice customers, though Trident is US-focused with different geographic markets and species mix.

Broad incumbents

• Nichirei Corporation: Japan's largest frozen food company with significant seafood processing operations including IQF products and B2B foodservice supply. Comparable to Maruto through its frozen seafood processing business and food-safety certified supply chain, but Nichirei's portfolio extends across poultry, vegetables, and logistics.
• Nippon Suisan Kaisha (Nissui): Major Japanese seafood and food company with primary processing of squid, salmon, and marine products plus frozen food manufacturing. Comparable to Maruto as a Japanese seafood processor with HACCP-aligned operations and foodservice/frozen-food customers, but operates at substantially larger scale across global markets.
• Maruha Nichiro Corporation: Japan's largest integrated seafood company with extensive processing, freezing, and distribution operations across multiple species including squid and mackerel. Comparable to Maruto as a Japanese seafood processor operating IQF and frozen product lines, though at vastly greater scale and with a broad product portfolio.
• Thai Union Group PCL: Global seafood processor and frozen seafood manufacturer with IQF operations across tuna, shrimp, and cephalopods, exporting worldwide. Comparable to Maruto as a seafood IQF processor serving B2B foodservice and frozen food customers, though Thai Union operates at global scale with broader species and geographic diversification.

Direct peers

• Hayashikane Sangyo Co., Ltd. Japanese seafood processor producing frozen and value-added marine products including squid, fish fillets, and processed seafood for B2B and foodservice channels. Comparable to Maruto through its Japanese primary processing operations, IQF capability, and HACCP-aligned food safety standards.
• Hoko Suisan Co., Ltd. Japanese seafood company engaged in fishing, processing, and sale of marine products including frozen squid and processed seafood. Comparable to Maruto as a mid-sized Japanese seafood processor with similar product mix around squid and frozen seafood for B2B foodservice and frozen-food manufacturer customers.
• Kyokuyo Co., Ltd. Japanese seafood processor and frozen foods manufacturer with operations in surimi, frozen seafood, and processed marine products serving foodservice and retail. Directly comparable to Maruto as a Japan-based seafood primary processor supplying IQF and frozen products to restaurant and frozen food manufacturer customers.
• Tassya Co., Ltd. Japanese frozen seafood manufacturer producing IQF and processed squid, scallop, and shrimp products for foodservice and retail. Directly comparable to Maruto as a similarly-sized Japanese IQF seafood processor specializing in cephalopods and shellfish with B2B customer focus.

Others

• Daito Gyorui Co., Ltd. Tokyo Toyosu-based seafood wholesaler and parent company of Maruto Refrigeration within the Umios Group structure. Included as a related ecosystem participant; comparable because it shares Maruto's seafood supply chain but operates in upstream wholesale distribution rather than processing.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Maruto Refrigeration Co.