同社は今後、主力の福祉事業に資源を集中投下し、さらなる事業間のシナジー強化を図っていく。特に、障害者の自立支援の場の拡充として、就労継続支援Ｂ型の18歳を超える成人の就労支援に注力していくようだ。就労移行支援事業所をより強い業態へ進化するために直近では、独自開発のｅラーニングシステムを活用し、在宅でもITスキルを学ぶ仕組みを構築している株式会社manabyとの業務提携契約を締結したほか、就労継続支援B型事業所の運営や福祉事業所における職員の業務効率化を支援している株式会社パパゲーノを、12月1日付で完全子会社化した。市場環境の追い風が続く中、M&Aを活用した非連続的な成長も続く可能性がある。株主還元では、連結配当性向30%を目標としている。AHC Group <7083>, which operates various welfare services (after-school day service, continual employment support type B, community living assistance, etc.), nursing care services (operation of day care facilities, etc.), and dining services, announced on December 25 that it confirmed compliance with all the listing maintenance criteria of the growth market as of the judgment reference date at the end of November 2024. Last year, the market cap of circulating stocks was 0.38 billion yen, which did not meet the listing maintenance standard of 0.5 billion yen, but this year it has cleared the standard at 0.88 billion yen.
The revenue for the period ending November 2024, which will be announced in January 2025, is projected to be 6,236 million yen, an increase of 5.4% compared to the previous period, while the operating profit is expected to increase 7.4 times to 151 million yen, indicating significant revenue growth and a large increase in profit. This forecast is a revised figure announced during the announcement of the third quarter (3Q) financial results for the period ending November 2024 on October 15.
Additionally, the population of people with disabilities in Japan has increased by approximately 1.8 times over 15 years, with a total of 11.602 million people with disabilities (including physical, intellectual, and mental disabilities), of which 16.5% of the total population of persons with disabilities utilize welfare services. The number of users of disability welfare services and the budget continue to increase, and demand is expanding. As the market size in the company's business area also expands, the ability to support individuals from preschool age to adulthood centered on after-school day services and residential support is becoming the company's strength.
The company plans to concentrate resources on its core welfare business and strengthen synergies between its operations. In particular, it seems focused on expanding support for the employment of adults over 18 years of age in continual employment support type B as part of enlarging the venues for empowering independence for persons with disabilities. Recently, to evolve employment transition support offices into a stronger business model, it has concluded a business partnership contract with Manaby Co., Ltd., which utilizes its independently developed e-learning system to establish a mechanism for learning IT skills even at home, and it has also fully acquired Papageno Co., Ltd., which supports operational efficiency of staff in continual employment support type B offices and welfare offices, as of December 1. With the favorable market environment continuing, there is a possibility of ongoing non-continuous growth utilizing M&A. In terms of shareholder returns, a consolidated dividend payout ratio of 30% is targeted.
