Revolutionizing Food Production
In the competitive landscape of food production, efficient planning and inventory control are paramount for success. J. Farm, a prominent player in food product development and food service, is taking significant steps to enhance its operational strategies by implementing Srush AI.
The Need for AI Integration
With a diverse product portfolio primarily focused on confectionery and other food items, J. Farm has maintained a streamlined operation while addressing seasonal demand fluctuations. However, the company faced challenges due to an increase in imported products and a growing number of item listings. As a result, managing inventory became cumbersome, leading to stock shortages and difficulties in optimizing stock levels.
Previously, J. Farm attempted to implement a Business Intelligence (BI) tool with AI functionalities to improve demand forecasting. Unfortunately, this initiative faced project interruptions due to various factors, but the team's commitment to seeking feasible solutions remained unwavering. In this context, a proposal from Otsuka Corporation for the integration of Srush AI emerged as an ideal fit.
Srush AI: A Game Changer
Srush AI is a comprehensive platform offering seamless integration of data and decision-making support. J. Farm’s primary goal was to internalize the forecast of sales volumes for proprietary products like dried sweet potatoes and chestnuts. Through initial trials with Srush AI, the team confirmed the feasibility of linking sales forecasts directly to ordering plans, which ultimately led to the decision to adopt this innovative technology.
This strategic integration is expected to optimize ordering schedules and quantities, enabling sales, procurement, and ordering teams to make decisions based on standardized metrics. In the medium term, the initiative aims to significantly reduce inventory loss, minimize missed opportunities, and facilitate horizontal expansion across all business units, including food service operations.
Insights from Leadership
J. Farm Management
Kōsuke Ishida, Manager of Product Solutions at J. Farm, expressed the company's dedication to adapting to the evolving needs of its customers. As a specialized trading company of sweets and food products, J. Farm has been expanding its offerings with an increasing emphasis on imported goods. Ishida acknowledged the growing necessity for precise inventory management to prevent shortages.
“While we have previously relied on sales and inventory data for analysis, we often depended on the intuition of our staff. Traditional Excel analysis proved to be burdensome and limited in accuracy. Additionally, attempts to utilize general AI for analysis frequently misread our Excel data, leading to erroneous outcomes,” he noted.
Ishida highlighted the promising expectations surrounding Srush’s capabilities to accurately analyze sales, inventory, and order data, thereby improving order deadline forecasts and optimization with quantifiable backing. Future plans include extending the use of data-driven analysis to J. Farm’s tea specialty store within their food service division, aiming for overall profitability and operational efficiency.
Otsuka Corporation's Perspective
Commenting on the collaboration, representatives from Otsuka Corporation expressed their gratitude in supporting J. Farm's implementation of Srush AI. They praised the platform for its interactive data integration, which alleviates the need for specialized analytical skills or intricate operations. This advancement presents high potential for practical use across various departments.
Otsuka's team anticipates that this initiative will establish data-driven decision-making within J. Farm, enhancing order planning, inventory optimization, and operational effectiveness.
About Srush Inc.
Founded in November 2019, Srush is committed to making data accessible to everyone. Their offerings include a no-code data integration and visualization service, data utilization support, and a comprehensive program to cultivate data literacy. By opening their Kyushu branch in Fukuoka in April 2025, they aim to bolster support for SMEs in the region, demonstrating their commitment to advancing data utilization in practical settings.
For more information, visit
Srush Official Website.