What ACT ISHIHARA does

ACT ISHIHARA (株式会社アクト石原) is a Japanese privately-held packaging manufacturer founded in 1924 in Osaka and currently headquartered in Takatsuki, Osaka Prefecture. The company produces a multi-material packaging portfolio spanning corrugated cardboard boxes, plastic corrugated board (Pladan), wooden boxes and pallets, and coated paperboard packaging, serving primarily B2B customers in automotive, electrical/electronics, manufacturing-distribution, and consumer-goods verticals across Japan, Thailand, the Philippines, Singapore, and Malaysia. Self-described as a "Total Packaging Company," the group operates approximately 270 employees across wholly-owned subsidiaries handling printing (ACT Printing), corrugated production (Kinu Package, acquired 2021), in-house delivery logistics (Happy Stones), real estate (ACT Ishihara HD), and overseas manufacturing.

The technology base is anchored in automated manufacturing: corrugated lines feature vision-based inspection, automated sheet feeding, and robotic pallet stacking; the Takatsuki facility runs on solar power installed in 2013; resin products use vacuum forming for low-cost tooling; and the quality system holds ISO 9001 (since 2003), KES Step 2 environmental certification (since 2002), FSC forest certification for Takatsuki (2018), and the 2012 Osaka Manufacturing Excellence Award. Recent capex includes a new Flexo Forming Gluing (FFG) line completed March 2026 and a reserved land parcel for a new Kanto factory announced April 2026.

The revenue model is quote-based and project-driven, with field sales staff visiting customer sites to propose custom packaging solutions; no public pricing exists, and products are made-to-order across small and large lot sizes. Pricing includes multi-year contracts on integrated solutions spanning manufacturing, export packaging with fumigation treatment, and reusable returnable cases for precision automotive components. The company remains family-controlled under the Ishihara family (Representative Director Ishihara Itsuki, Managing Director Ishihara Shinya), with no disclosed external investors, public listing, or PE/VC participation.

Name

ACT ISHIHARA

Legal name

株式会社アクト石原

Website

https://act-i.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1924

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

ACT ISHIHARA is a Japanese B2B packaging manufacturer founded in 1924, producing corrugated boxes, plastic corrugated board (Pladan), wooden packaging, and coated paperboard for automotive, electrical, manufacturing, and consumer-goods customers across Japan and Southeast Asia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Packaging Manufacturing

NAICS

Other Paperboard Container Manufacturing (322219), Packaging and Labeling Services (561910)

SIC

Paperboard Containers & Boxes (2650), Papers & Allied Products (2600), Wholesale-Paper & Paper Products (5110)

akta.pro primary industry

Corrugated Packaging & Boxes (RSC, die-cut, bulk bins) (IMAMAHAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Specialty Paper Packaging (Gift Boxes, Luxury Cartons, Composite Paper Cans) (IMALACAI), Consumer Products Injection Molding (Housewares, Toys, Personal Care) (IMANAFAE), Paper-Based Packaging & Single-Use Paper Products (Paper Bags, Wraps, Cartons) (CRADALAL), Packaging Papers & Converted Paper Distribution (Corrugated sheets/boxes, Paper bags, Labels, Stationery) (IMAMAIAI)

Keywords

• Industrial packaging manufacturing
• Corrugated cardboard boxes
• Wooden packaging products
• Plastic corrugated board
• Export packaging solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Takatsuki

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices7 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. Packaging Material Manufacturing and Sales: Core revenue from manufacturing and sales of wood boxes, corrugated boxes, synthetic resin cases (Pladan), pallets, and coated paperboard packaging. Both standard and custom-made products. Includes export packaging with fumigation treatment.
2. Synthetic Resin Raw Material Sales: Sales of synthetic resin raw materials as a related business.
3. Logistics Equipment and Materials Sales: Sales of lift equipment, packaging machines, roller conveyors, tape, bands and other packaging materials. Also includes building material protective sheets.
4. General Freight Transportation: General cargo automobile transport business and automobile transport handling business for logistics services.
5. Real Estate Rental and Management: Real estate rental and management services through subsidiary.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

ACT ISHIHARA manufactures and sells a comprehensive range of industrial packaging products including wooden boxes and pallets, corrugated cardboard boxes, plastic corrugated board (Pladan) cases, coated paperboard packaging, and related packaging materials and equipment. The company provides total packaging solutions via in-house integrated production covering design, manufacturing, and delivery, with custom-made offerings tailored to specific customer specifications across automotive, electrical, manufacturing, distribution, and consumer products industries.

Product overview

ACT ISHIHARA operates as a Total Packaging Company with a multi-product portfolio spanning four core product categories: (1) Corrugated Cardboard Boxes (ダンボール) with automated production lines for A-type, C-type, one-touch, and N-style boxes, plus cardboard pallets and reinforced cardboard; (2) Synthetic Resin/Pladan Products (合成树脂・プラダン) including various case types, partition boards, resin pallets, cushioning materials, and vacuum formed products; (3) Wooden Products (木製製品) including wooden boxes, pallets, and export packaging with fumigation; and (4) Coated Paperboard Packaging (コートボール) using UV and offset printing for cosmetics, food, and gifts. The company also offers portable toilets and various packaging materials and equipment. Products are produced across multiple manufacturing facilities in Japan and internationally (Thailand, Philippines), with group companies including ACT Printing (for paperboard) and Kinu Package (for additional cardboard capacity).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Corrugated Cardboard Boxes (ダンボール) A-style, C-style, one-touch, and N-style cardboard boxes manufactured using automated production lines with industry-leading quality, delivery speed, and production capacity. Features automated sheet feeding, visual inspection systems, and robotic pallet stacking. Used by manufacturers, distributors, and shipping companies across multiple industries.
• Synthetic Resin Products / Pladan (合成樹脂・プラダン) Lightweight and durable plastic corrugated sheets, PP foam sheets, and resin cases including C-type cases (fixed box), A-type cases (orange box style), movable corner cases, large heavy-duty cases, partition boards, and resin pallets. Served primarily automotive and electrical industries for precision parts storage and logistics.
• Wooden Products (木製製品) Traditional wooden boxes, pallets, and packaging products for transport and storage of heavy items. Supports small to large lot production with fumigation treatment for export packaging. Product range includes wooden pallets, heavy-duty transport boxes, precision parts packaging boxes, and lightweight wooden frame boxes.
• Coated Paperboard / Cosmetic Boxes (コートボール・化粧箱) UV printing and offset printing paperboard packaging produced by subsidiary ACT Printing. Used for food, stationery, health products, cosmetics, and gift packaging, maximizing product value through high-quality printing and diverse package designs.
• Vacuum Formed Products (真空成型) Thermoplastic molded products created using vacuum forming technology for complex shapes. Lower mold costs compared to other molding methods, suitable for high-volume production of thin molded parts like trays, blisters, and component trays.
• Portable Toilets (簡易トイレ) Assembled toilets made from polypropylene (PP) that can be set up in approximately 2 minutes. Lightweight 14.2kg design folds to 6cm thickness for storage. Available in water-flush and disposable types. Suitable for disaster relief stockpiling and emergency use.

Quantifiable outcome

• Industry-top-class quality, delivery reliability, and production capacity for corrugated boxes
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• 中小企業基盤整備機構 (SMRJ - Small and Medium Enterprise Agency)minorOthersReferenced in relation to new collaboration/connection information sheets. Company was featured in SMRJ's new collaboration initiative documentation.
• 三社との提携販売 (Unnamed Partner Manufacturers)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorResin pallet sales through partnership with major manufacturers. Proposes standard pallets suited to applications based on partnership arrangements.
• 株式会社アクト印刷coreOthersGroup company handling offset printing and paper packaging products with in-house integrated production. Located in Takatsuki, Osaka.
• 鬼怒パッケージ株式会社coreOthersGroup company for corrugated boxes and premium corrugated box production. Located in Moka, Tochigi Prefecture. Acquired into group in 2021.
• 株式会社ハッピーストーンズcoreOthersGroup company providing own-vehicle delivery services for timely delivery and improved logistics service quality.
• 株式会社アクト石原HDcoreOthersHolding company primarily engaged in real estate business and asset management.
• ACT ISHIHARA (THAILAND) CO.,LTD.coreOthersOverseas group company manufacturing plastic corrugated board and selling logistics products in Thailand. New factory built in 2016.
• ISHIP LOGIPACK INC.coreOthersOverseas group company manufacturing plastic corrugated board and Erector products in Philippines at Laguna Technopark.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Mondi plc: Global integrated packaging and paper group with significant corrugated and specialty kraft paper operations. Comparable to ACT ISHIHARA's corrugated business model, though at much larger global scale and with different geographic exposure.
• Sealed Air Corporation: Global packaging company specializing in protective packaging, food packaging, and automated packaging systems. Compares to ACT ISHIHARA on protective/industrial packaging products (film cushioning, cushioned cases) but operates at much larger scale with global brand presence.
• Rengo Co., Ltd. Japan's largest integrated packaging manufacturer producing corrugated boxes, folding cartons, and flexible packaging. Closely comparable to ACT ISHIHARA across corrugated and paper-based packaging, but operates at significantly larger scale with a broader product portfolio.
• Toppan Holdings (formerly Toppan Printing): Major Japanese printing and packaging group with strong positions in paperboard cartons, flexible packaging, and decorative boxes for cosmetics/food. Comparable to ACT ISHIHARA's coated paperboard product line, though Toppan operates at vastly greater scale.
• Smurfit Kappa Group: Global leader in paper-based packaging with corrugated, folding cartons, and packaging machinery. Comparable business model to ACT ISHIHARA across multiple packaging types, though serving a primarily European and American customer base.
• ShinMaywa Industries, Ltd. Diversified Japanese industrial group with packaging machinery and material handling operations. Tangentially comparable through packaging equipment offerings that ACT ISHIHARA also sells alongside consumables.

Direct peers

• Pack Corporation: Japanese manufacturer of plastic corrugated board (Pladan) products serving automotive parts logistics, electronics, and precision components. Highly comparable to ACT ISHIHARA's Pladan product line and target customer segments.
• Tomoku Co., Ltd. Japanese corrugated cardboard manufacturer with operations in Japan and Asia producing boxes for industrial and consumer applications. Directly comparable to ACT ISHIHARA's corrugated box business and similar customer base in automotive/electrical industries.

Emerging players

• MonotaRO Co., Ltd. Japanese B2B e-commerce platform selling packaging supplies, shipping materials, and industrial consumables directly to businesses. Adjacent peer as a digital distribution channel for packaging products, contrasting ACT ISHIHARA's traditional direct-sales model.
• Inapa Packaging: European packaging distributor offering paper, packaging supplies, and visual communication products through B2B channels. Comparable to ACT ISHIHARA's wholesale/distribution activities around packaging materials, though operating in a different geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=Qh8tNrrGA1U

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries8 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 ACT ISHIHARA