Sato Pharmaceutical continues to develop its international business activities in Asia, North America and Europe through its seven business centers: China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, the US, Canada and Germany. Each center is responsible for the marketing and sales activities that are suited to the local market, and which respond to local needs.
Building and expanding awareness of the Sato brand
Sato Pharmaceutical’s international business activities began in the 1980s. The original purpose was to provide safe, reliable Sato pharmaceutical products for Japanese living abroad. Following the establishment of the st international afliate company in Los Angeles in 1981, the company added further subsidiaries in Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan and Germany. The establishment of subsidiaries in Vancouver in 2006 and Guangzhou, China in 2007 further strengthened Sato's business networks in North America and Asia.
In the major markets of North America, Europe and Asia, Sato will more actively develop its OTC pharmaceuticals business, particularly the Yunker series, medicated plasters, eye drops, digestive medicines, etc. The Hakubi brand is being strengthened in Asia, with the series being very successfully launched in Singapore in 2007 and Taiwan in 2009. The Hakubi brand is also planned to be launched in China and Hong Kong in 2010. In China, Sato is also looking into launching the Acess and Hakubi brands, along with Yunker and other OTC pharmaceuticals. Following the opening of the Canadian ofce in 2006, the summer of 2007 saw the launch of Yunker Kotei Solution in the market, with the Kenzen series following in May 2008. The image being projected in Canada is “Japanese products = quality products,” with Japanese product names and advertising being very well received, and sales being very successful. In the US, packaging for Yunker Kotei Solution was redesigned and localized, and sales expanded, especially to the West Coast. In March 2009, the highly-portable, film-type motion-sickness treatment Zentrip first went on sale. This was followed by introduction from April of that year in the major drugstores of the US, with sales being very successful.
In Europe, Sato's local subsidiary in Germany is the base for expansion into Eastern and other parts of Europe. In Australia, a cooperative relationship with a partner company has seen the introduction of a new medicated plaster product from the start of 2010. Sato is now paying close attention to the maturing OTC markets of Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Working with partner companies, Sato is planning to begin the sales of new products in these markets.
Building the brand through new product introduction in Asia
Sato is seeing increasingly strong results from the sale of its OTC pharmaceuticals in Asian countries. Of all of its international corporations, Sato Pharmaceutical is seeing the most rapid growth in Singapore, where, after the introduction of the Hakubi brand in November 2009, the company has also continued to build brand awareness through the sales of the vitamin C derivative combination Hakubi C Gel; and the new Nazal brand product, Nazal Wash, from the beginning of 2010. Sales also began in major Chinese drugstores of Acess Solution from November 2009. The sales of the Hakubi drink series is scheduled for spring 2010, to be followed by Yunker and other products.
In Taiwan, advertising featuring Major League star Ichiro Suzuki began in 2008 and has resulted in growing sales in that country. Sales of Hakubi White C also began in May 2009, with the product showing very strong sales growth. Local business activities will now be expanded in Malaysia, Indonesia, and other areas of Southeast Asia. To even further expand its international business activities, Sato Pharmaceutical will continue to actively engage in strategic alliances with multinational corporations around the world, major drugstore chains and other influential companies. By strengthening these alliances and providing the products that local people demand, we can help to move closer to our goal of bringing the people of the world better daily healthcare.
