日本産業推進機構：NSSK

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Advancing to Greater Growth under New Sponsorship
Earning Greater Trust and Demand by Serving Community Healthcare

  • NSSK III
  • RIF
  • Business Succession
  • Special Situation
  • Healthcare
  • Currently invested

Sakura Pharmacy Group is the third-largest dispensing pharmacy operator in the industry, with over 800 stores all over Japan, particularly in prime locations like commercial centers and near railway stations, and employing more than 6,000 staff, including pharmacists.
At each store, medications are dispensed based on prescriptions from patients. A dispensary’s role is not limited to just providing medications; there is a responsibility to safeguard patient health and life against any risks. To fulfill this duty, pharmacists meticulously check each prescription, and in case of any uncertainties, they consult with the prescribing physician.

KRAFT Inc.
Company Name KRAFT Inc.
Investment Period

March 2023
Industry

Dispensary operation
Background

Special situation, business succession
Website

https://www.kraft-net.co.jp/

CONTENTS

  1. SECTION 1 Selection of NSSK as Sponsor
  2. SECTION 2 Improving Management Visibility
  3. SECTION 3 Aiming to Improve Patient Convenience by Improving Store Operations
  4. SECTION 4 Promoting Digital Transformation (DX) Centered on Proprietary Dispensing System
  5. SECTION 5 Focusing on “Local” and “In-Home” Healthcare and Nursing
  6. SECTION 6 ESG Initiatives
  7. SECTION 7 Company Introduction

Selection of NSSK as Sponsor

01

Following privatization in 2008, Sakura Pharmacy Group expanded aggressively, growing from 270 to approximately 900 stores, becoming the third largest in the industry. Despite this growth, complex factors including COVID-19 caused operating cash flow and debt imbalances, necessitating financial restructuring and sponsor selection. Among proposals from several companies, NSSK was selected for its ability to comprehensively address the Group’s challenges.

Improving Management Visibility

02

One of NSSK’s key initiatives in operational improvement was to increase transparency and understanding of management within the Sakura Pharmacy Group. Within about two months of NSSK’s full participation in management, a system for creating monthly budgets and managing performance at each store was established and made available to pharmacy staff. In addition, the details of store-specific income and expenses are carefully explained to foster a sense of personal responsibility for store performance among staff. Furthermore, weekly and monthly meetings have been established to ensure that management’s intentions are properly communicated to the stores.

Aiming to Improve Patient Convenience by Improving Store Operations

03

Following NSSK’s investment, Sakura Pharmacy Group has focused on enhancing patient convenience by improving store operations and reducing waiting times. By observing and timing on-site operations, bottlenecks in the smooth delivery of prescribed medications to patients have been identified. Insights gained from these observations are being used to modify staff roles and improve awareness, aiming for more efficient operations. These types of efforts are aimed at Sakura Pharmacy Group pharmacies becoming the pharmacy of choice for patients and further enhancing their service experience.

Promoting Digital Transformation (DX) Centered on Proprietary Dispensing System

04

For nearly two decades, Sakura Pharmacy Group has utilized SPITS, its proprietary dispensing system, which significantly reduces human dispensing error risk and ensures safe operation. Following NSSK’s investment, the Group is using SPITS to further improve patient convenience. This includes adapting to digital prescriptions and developing a medication management app, as part of its broader strategy to drive digital transformation in its operations.

Focusing on “Local” and “In-Home” Healthcare and Nursing

05

Since 2013, Sakura Pharmacy Group has been at the forefront of developing a comprehensive community-based care system, with a special focus on local and in-home healthcare and nursing, as society faces an increasingly aging population. This includes enhancing in-home services and strengthening community collaboration, an effort that has accelerated since NSSK’s investment. Additionally, Sakura Pharmacy Group offers 24-hour support from designated pharmacists, providing not only care during illness but also continuous support for overall well-being and health improvement.

ESG Initiatives

06

Recognized for its high female employment ratio, Sakura Pharmacy Group has focused its post-NSSK investments on improving the work environment for female employees and increasing their representation in management positions. The Group also is actively engaged in environmental sustainability, implementing solar power generation and energy storage systems in its stores, and effectively reducing medical waste through strategic cooperation at the store level. In addition, for more than 13 years, the Group has been dedicated to the ‘Pink Ribbon’ campaign to raise awareness about the importance of early detection and treatment of breast cancer. Through this type of awareness activity, the Group aims to reduce the number of people suffering from diseases.

07

Company Introduction

再生

INTRODUCTION
VIDEO

About Sakura Pharmacy Group

Since its establishment in 1982, Sakura Pharmacy Group has been guided by the aspiration to be a trusted and sought-after pharmacy. Through its management, the Group contributes to society and now has over 800 stores, mainly in strategic locations such as commercial centers and near railway stations in the metropolitan area. An important feature of the company is its self-developed dispensing system, SPITS, which is equipped with a feature to prevent prescription errors, thus facilitating a safe and efficient dispensing environment.
As society enters an era of super-aging, the Group has been actively involved in building a comprehensive community care system, with special emphasis on "local" and "home" healthcare and nursing. Since 2013, the Sakura Pharmacy Group has furthered this commitment by establishing an In-Home Care Promotion Department to strengthen both in-home services and regional cooperation.

Support from NSSK

Sakura Pharmacy Group’s decision to partner with NSSK as a sponsor has been very beneficial. The company has experienced significant changes since receiving management support from NSSK. Specifically, the Group has been working with NSSK's NVP support team on various reforms since NSSK's acquisition of shares. The main focus areas are: (1) introducing management control methods, (2) improving store operations, (3) promoting digitalization, and (4) improving systems for regional health care contributions.
(1) In terms of management control, Sakura Pharmacy Group has increased the visibility of financial data and strengthened internal controls to ensure transparent management to stakeholders, including financial institutions and employees. (2) In store operations, the Group measures working hours in stores to identify bottlenecks, leading to initiatives such as changing employee mindsets and improving role allocation. (3) In the area of digitalization, the Group is expanding its digital investments to include online medication counseling and electronic prescriptions, with the aim of reducing staff workload and improving patient convenience. (4) In regional healthcare, Sakura Pharmacy Group is striving to contribute more to the community and society through initiatives such as promoting home medical care, strengthening after-hours support, and expanding collaborative facilities.
In addition, Sakura Pharmacy Group is actively exploring cooperation and information sharing with other companies in NSSK’s investment portfolio to promote unprecedented growth and innovation.

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