■Company Overview and Business Description
1. Company Overview
Apple International ＜2788＞ began a used car export business to Southeast Asian countries in 1996 as a pioneer in used car exports. After that, in addition to the used car purchase and sale business, it also played a part in the automobile distribution market, such as carrying out an auto auction business. Overseas, we are developing new businesses due to the trust we have built up and the expansion of human networks. Currently, the main body of the company group is exporting used cars from Japan, and consolidated subsidiaries operate a franchise chain headquarters for used car purchase and sale business within Japan, and group companies operate directly managed stores as member stores.
Our corporate philosophy is “We at Apple have found value in building trust from customers and society while sharing joy with people overseas, and have been developing automobile-related businesses globally to make our dreams come true.” That's it. The corporate slogan is “FORWARD THE FUTURE” with the aim of “challenging people to society and continuing to create new value, opening up a new future, and contributing to social development.”
2. HISTORY
The company was established in 1996/1 in Yokkaichi City, Mie Prefecture for the purpose of buying and selling used cars. Motorization is booming in Southeast Asian countries, and used car export businesses began in Thailand and Hong Kong in December of the same year to meet the needs of overseas importers. Currently, the company, which is the main body, is developing a used car export business from Japan to Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, etc., mainly in Thailand. In 2016/11, the Tokyo head office was established in Chuo-ku, Tokyo, and a two-head office system was established.
It was listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Mother's Market in 2003/12, and the market was changed to the 2nd section of the same market in 2015/5. Also, it transitioned to the standard market due to the same market classification review in 2022/4.
The company is trying to expand its business scale and domain through M&A, and acquired shares of Car Consultant Maple Co., Ltd., which buys and sells automobiles in 2001/11, and Apple Auto Network Co., Ltd., the Apple franchise headquarters, in 2004/5. Currently, both companies are consolidated subsidiaries. Also, in 2007, Apple Auto Auction (Thailand) was established in Bangkok as a joint venture to operate auto auction venues, and the auto auction business began in Thailand in 2008. The company owns 34.4% of the shares of the joint venture and is an affiliate company applying the equity method. All shares of Honda Shop Hinaga Co., Ltd. were acquired in 2021 and made into a subsidiary, but they have not been consolidated.
(Written by FISCO Guest Analyst Ken Segawa)