| COMPANY PROFILE as end of February, 2000 |
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| Company Name: | Maruyoshi Center Inc. |
| Type of Business: | Predominantly a retailer of food products, fresh produce, meats, fish, home furnishings, household appliances and apparel through a supermarket and department store chain and restaurant chain. |
| Establishment Date: | March, 1961 |
| Paid-Up Capital: | 1,077,998,000yen (US$9,799,981 at US$1=110yen) |
| Additional Paid-In Capital: | 882,528,000yen (US$8,022,981 at US$1=110yen) |
| 1999 Sales Volume: | Supermarket Total: 40,400,937,000yen (US$367,281,245
at US$1=110yen) Group Total: 41,079,000,000yen (US$373,445,454 at US$1=110yen) |
| Headquarters: | 367-1 Kokubunji-cho, Ayauta-gun, Kagawa, 769-0198 Japan |
| President and CEO: | Mr. Fumiaki Satake |
| Employees: | Total of 3155 (includes 2390 part-time employees) |
| Business Venues: | Corporate headquarters, product distribution
center, produce center, Ayagami Commissary
(meats and fish) and Utazu Commissary (food
processing facility); Maruyoshi Center supermarkets and department stores: 42 stores Green House (family restaurant chain): 9 Locations and Madoi (Japanes-style restaurant), Casa del Mar (sea food restaurant), On The Park (casual Western-style restaurant), Yakiniku House (Barbecue restaurant), Indigo (Japanese-style restaurant) |
| The Maruyoshi Center Group: | Shikoku Travel Service (a full-service travel
agency) MG Trading Inc. (import and export company for Maruyoshi Center) Takamatsu Marina (leisure boat sales, maintenance and storage) C&C (cleaning company-Mainly commercial establishments) CERA (manufacturer and retailer of ceramic material-based products for commercial, home and personal use) Lex (distribution center) |
| Profile Since its establishment in 1961, Maruyoshi Center has grown into a sophisticated supermarket and restaurant chain. The company is highly concerned with quality control and health issues and has succeeded in implementing a program which contributes to protecting the environment. Supermarkets are operating in 42 locations and restaurants have been established in 13 places. Today, there are 3 types of outlets operated within two hours' traveling time from the processing and distribution bases. Supermarkets were opened in city residential areas and Mega-Supermarkets were built in suburban locales. A third type of shop is the Combination Store which sells a diverse line of products.  To support rapid delivery of fresh, tasty and high quality foods, a distribution system with a completely independent network was created. Procurement, processing, delivery and sales are all handled in-house. In 1996, LEX Inc., a joint venture company comprised of a partnership of 3 vendors was formed to serve as a distribution operator. Consistency of operations was improved and the joint venture no doubt contributes to cost reduction.  |
| Giving Earth Our Love and Care Protecting the environment is a cause which we take seriously at Maruyoshi Center. We began recycling of food trays, milk cartons and aluminum cans as early as 1991. A campaign encouraging shoppers to bring their own shopping bags was launched; we opted to give preference to the use of recycled paper and have simplified the packaging of gift items. To facilitate our Environmental Protection Program, Aluminum Can Collection Machines and Tray Collection Stands were placed in our facilities and an active Milk Carton Collection System was also introduced.  Collection of Milk Cartons The Aluminum Can Collection Machine  Tray Collection Stand It is our belief that that caring for the environment must be a continuous effort and that concern for ecological issues must not be allowed to die. We sincerely acknowledge that the success of our Environmental Protection Program is something which owes much to the cooperation of our customers and it is our understanding that nature and the environmental are things which need our utmost love and care. |
| Processing Plants To enable the company to supply healthy and flavorful products of exceptional quality, the Ayagami Commissary and the Utazu Commissary food processing plants were built. They are now integral parts of our total distribution system which begins at the point of procurement of preprocessed foods and ingredients. Both plants use state of the art food processing equipment and are staffed by food preparation specialists. The company endeavors to produce original goods and research and development are emphasized. The Ayagami Commissary was opened in May 1997 and produces products such as bread, tofu and processed fish foods. The Utazu Commissary produces items such as Udon and Soba (Japanese Noodles), Osouzai (Japanese Daily Dishes), Sushi, natural water, frozen foods and retort products. Products such as the Mount Kenzan Natural Water, of which we are particularly proud, and the Sanuki Koshihikari (type of Japanese rice) are thoughtfully selected as ingredients for our processed foods. To realize the company's goal of producing healthy and tasty foods, organic ingredients that have never been exposed to pesticides and containing no additives are used. Appropriate types of water are also carefully selected. By adding production within our organization, certainty has been added to our quality control system and products with consistent flavor are supplied to our shops. Both the Ayagami Commissary and the Utazu Commissary have been connected to all our stores through an on-line network. This network allows us to monitor and analyze our stock accurately and avoid wasteful ordering and manufacturing. This is yet another factor contributing to cost reduction.   Ayagami Commissary Utazu Commissary |
Our Restaurants  Maruyoshi Center strives to provide a multitude of channels for the food oriented lifestyle. We see room for communities that are based on "FOOD".  The Family Restaurant, Greenhouse Eating out does not have to be a special event. Greenhouse is a place for families to enjoy moments together and time spent there can be part of your daily life.  The Japanese Restaurant, Madoi Come and enjoy a relaxing moment at Madoi. The Japanese style tables and seats provide a friendly atmosphere for special get-togethers.  The
Seafood Restaurant,
Casa del Mar The Casa Del Mar is an excellent place for entertaining guests and hosting parties. It is a seaside restaurant where fresh seafood can be enjoyed and is sure to add a touch of sophistication to your mood.
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| Osouzai Produced in Confidence All of Maruyoshi's Osozai (Japanese Daily Dishes) are original products. Original Products of Quality We are not interested in being average and therefore do not want to make products that can be found just anywhere. We adhere to stringent quality control requirements and endeavor to make tasteful products. It is our wish to supply healthy foods to consumers and only foods that we are sure are safe are put on our shelves. Onigiri (rice ball) Croquette Organic Salads    |
| Development of Private Brand Goods We produce original goods because Supplying Healthy Foods is a Priority Progress has made health issues priority concerns for any food distributor. Having our own processing facilities and using strict specifications has allowed us to develop healthy and flavorful foods which can be supplied at reasonable costs. Our developing and marketing of original items is receiving positive support from our customers. The Secret to Producing Tasty Foods. The Maruyoshi Center is staffed by experts who carefully check all levels of production starting at the stage of selecting ingredients and determining the method of processing. Being particular when choosing ingredients is the secret behind producing tasty food. This is the reason why we go to the extent of selecting ingredients such as the Mount Kenzan water and rice grown in mountain areas for food processing purposes. |
| Private Brand Items The Original Box  The Original Box is a series of our original food products typifying the theme, "Health and Taste". The strictness in selecting ingredients is clearly producing positive results and attracting fans. Goods for Daily Use  By narrowing down and focusing on the manufacturing of an identified product of quality, cost reduction is achieved. This procedure allows us to supply goods for daily life at low cost. Well Life  Well Life is our private brand label for clothes of unmatched quality. Prior to manufacturing, anticipated shrinkage is calculated and the fabric is cut to allow for it. |
Japanese cuisine, Ajishare