Iwatani increased sales by 14.1%, operating income by 8.6%, ordinary profit by 9.6% and the profit for the term by 6.2%.

Based on the accomplishment of the itemized targets of ordinary profit, ROE and ROA in the current mid-term business plan (PLAN18), Iwatani announced on May 14 a new mid-term plan (PLAN20) to accelerate one year ahead the plan 2020.

In terms of departmental category, the sales amount of the industrial gas/equipment business increased by 7.7% with operating income up 47.5%. The sales of industrial gases alone increased by 5.1%. Quantity-wise, oxygen increased by 7%, nitrogen by 8%, argon by 7%, carbon dioxide by 4%, hydrogen by 7% and helium decreased by 4%.

Iwatani attained a remarkable increase in profit owing to the growth in quantity delivered, the steady machinery/equipment business at home and abroad and the lessened burden of depreciation for helium containers which absorbed the hike of electricity cost amounting to about JPY 400 million. 　
The sales in the total energy business increased by 16.6% with the operating income down 15.2%. Both of the quantity sold and unit price of LP gas exceeded those of last year, but the profit decreased due to the declined market factors of the inventory.

The sales in the material business increased by 17.3% with the operating income up 36.9%. The market of titanium and zirconium was rising up and biomass fuel and the secondary material for batteries sold well. The sales in the natural industry business increased by 13.1% with the operating income up 9.1%. Frozen vegetable and meat processed food sold well. 　

The capital investment during the term amounted to JPY26.2 billion. The investment in the business related to industrial gases out of them amounted to JPY10.1 billion. For this fiscal year Iwatani will invest JPY31 billion with the industrial gas alone amounting to JPY16.5 billion. The dividend is 55 yen increased by 15 yen from last year. The dividend payout ratio is 15.4%. In last October the company made a reverse stock split with five common shares merged to one.

The company’s prospect for this term is an increase in sales by 9.6% with an operating income up 4.4%, ordinary income up 2% and net profit up 2.4%. In the segmental terms, the sales of industrial gas/equipment business is expected to be up 11.7% with an operating income up 1.9%.

Although the growth in respect of profits has slowed down comparing with last year, the company explained the reason that the reinforced Yamaguchi Liquid Hydrogen and hydrogen stations have caused the increase in the burden of depreciation.