ACSL - Staying Selected And Never Letting Go

Business nowadays means much more than simply product sales. How has the Japanese drone start-up ACSL added extra values to keep its clients' stay and customized those values when expanding to global markets?

Prof. Tatsuhiko INOUE | Waseda University, Japan
Kim Thanh LE | Nikkei BizRuptors

Published On 21 Jun 2023

Last Updated On 21 Jun 2023

At a glance

Country

Japan

Industry

Drone Solutions

Establishment

2013

Capital

US$ 33,6 million

(as of Dec 2021)

Abstract

The case study on ACSL explores the Japanese drone manufacturer’s unique business model, emphasizing solutions over mere product sales to address clients' operational pain points and foster long-term partnerships. Founded in 2013, ACSL has leveraged cutting-edge autonomous control technologies to develop drones tailored to specific applications, setting itself apart in a competitive industry. Under the leadership of CEO Satoshi Washiya, the company has evolved from a start-up into a key player in Japan's drone industry, with global ambitions.

ACSL's approach combines hardware innovation with "brain" technologies that adapt drones to varied tasks such as infrastructure inspection and disaster response. Its business strategy hinges on creating a "lock-in" effect through tailored solutions, proof-of-concept demonstrations, and comprehensive after-sales services, ensuring high customer retention. 

This study highlights ACSL’s innovative responses to industry dynamics and its potential to redefine the global drone market through its strategic focus on value creation and customer-centric solutions.

 

Disclaimers:

(1) Regarding Case Study Content: This case study is based mainly on secondary data and analysis of publicly available information unless otherwise stated, and is intended solely for educational purposes. Any opinions expressed by the author(s) are designed to facilitate learning discussion and do not serve to illustrate the effectiveness of the company. Additionally, banner images and logos used in the case study are intended for visualization in an educational setting and it is not used to represent or brand the company. For any dispute regarding the content and usage of images and logos, please contact the team.

(2) Regarding University Affiliation and Titles of Authors: The university affiliation and titles of author(s) seen in the case study is based on their affiliation and title during the time of publication. It may or may not represent the current status of said author(s).

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