Bridge and MakeCare Form Strategic Alliance to Enhance Home Healthcare Services

Strategic Alliance between Bridge and MakeCare

Introduction

In a significant move towards revolutionizing home healthcare in Japan, Bridge Co., Ltd. based in Kochi and MakeCare Co., Ltd. from Osaka have commenced a strategic partnership. This collaboration includes a capital alliance through a third-party allocation of shares, aimed at expanding Bridge's home nursing business and fortifying its operational foundation by enhancing recruitment strategies and patient intake. The alliance aspires to establish a sustainable growth model within the home healthcare and eldercare sector.

Partnership Details

Capital Alliance

The partnership entails a capital investment in MakeCare through a third-party share allocation, creating a solid financial relationship between the two companies.

Business Collaboration

The two companies have outlined various collaborative efforts, including:

- Strengthening recruitment strategies at Bridge's locations.
- Supporting patient intake through web marketing initiatives.
- Providing growth support for new facility expansions.
- Sharing operational expertise in home nursing.

Background and Objectives

In light of the 2024 medical fee reform that mandates home nursing stations to enhance their operational framework for scalability, both companies recognized the need for a partnership that leverages their respective strengths. Bridge has been delivering home medical services primarily through its en Home Nursing Station, successfully expanding to 19 bases across 13 prefectures.

On the other hand, MakeCare operates the Kurumi Home Nursing Station, specializing in psychiatric nursing care and has been rapidly expanding its patient intake and operational capacity throughout Osaka City. With over 320 contract users and around 2,100 monthly visits, MakeCare has reported a remarkable 120% growth year-over-year at a single location.

By combining their strengths, both companies aim to accelerate base expansions, enhance recruitment capabilities, and improve branding and patient acquisition strategies, ultimately establishing a comprehensive home nursing infrastructure needed in local communities across the nation.

Comments from Leadership

Masayoshi Toritani, CEO of Bridge, emphasized that this partnership is not only a growth strategy but also a commitment to strengthening the social infrastructure surrounding home nursing services. By merging MakeCare's expertise in recruitment and patient intake with Bridge's on-ground operational knowledge, they plan to create a sustainable service delivery model that better meets community needs.

Meanwhile, Hirotaka Ishimori, CEO of MakeCare, noted that the company has accumulated substantial knowledge in running a large-scale nursing station and developing strategies for recruitment and patient acquisition using web marketing. The collaboration with Bridge will facilitate the sharing of knowledge on multi-location operations, thus ensuring a stable financial foundation while jointly exploring the future of home healthcare in Japan.

Future Outlook

Both companies aspire to become businesses generating 10 billion yen in sales within ten years, with Bridge aiming for an extensive nationwide presence of 100 locations, while MakeCare focuses on operating 10 to 15 large-scale functional nursing stations. Despite their differing growth strategies, their collaboration in capital and operations is expected to accelerate mutual growth significantly.

Additionally, the Bridge Group is diversifying its service portfolio, expanding beyond home nursing to include:

- Day services
- Home care support services
- Travel support services for individuals requiring medical or caregiving assistance.

These efforts are designed to create a seamless support structure tailored to users' condition changes and enhance their quality of life, demonstrating a commitment to comprehensive care that transcends traditional healthcare services.