BRANU and Narerugroup Sign Business Partnership for Human Resource Introduction to Solve Labor Shortage and Promote DX in the Construction Industry

BRANU Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Tatsuya Natomi; Securities Code: 460A; hereinafter referred to as "BRANU"), which develops a construction DX platform business, has partnered with Contract Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Kosuke Seiago; hereinafter referred to as "Contract"), a group company of Narerugroup Inc. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Naoki Shibata; hereinafter referred to as "Narerugroup"), and Zenken General Incorporated Association (Location: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Minoru Okano; hereinafter referred to as "Zenken"). Together, they have signed a business partnership agreement for human resource introduction services, aiming to resolve the labor shortage in construction sites and improve productivity through DX promotion. Service provision will commence on July 1, 2026.

■ Background of This Partnership
Currently, the Japanese construction industry is facing a structural labor shortage due to the full-scale implementation of the "2024 Problem" leading to restrictions on working hours, as well as severe aging and a decrease in young entrants. To improve this situation, both sustainable "human resource acquisition" and "operational efficiency" through technology are indispensable. However, many small and medium-sized construction companies are hampered by chronic resource shortages, making it difficult to train DX personnel or even initiate digitalization efforts.

Since its inception, BRANU has led the industry's digitalization by providing "CAREECON," a matching site specializing in small and medium-sized construction companies, and "CAREECON Plus," an integrated business tool that centralizes everything from marketing to construction and management. In particular, BRANU has accumulated extensive experience and know-how in supporting the recruitment domain for small and medium-sized construction companies, including marketing utilizing homepages, recruitment branding, and post-hire retention support. As they accelerated support for their clients, it became clear that many companies were facing not only the fundamental problem of labor shortage but also the essential challenge of lagging digitalization.

On the other hand, Narerugroup has supported numerous construction sites through its group-wide dispatch and introduction services for skilled construction managers and craftspeople (hereinafter referred to as "artisans") with specialized technical skills. Furthermore, through the direct recruitment service "Artisan Scout," operated by group companies Contract and Zenken, they have aimed to resolve the shortage of artisans who form the core of construction sites. Moving forward, they were considering partners to expand their services to a wider range of small and medium-sized construction companies nationwide struggling with labor shortages.

Against this backdrop, BRANU, with its sales capabilities specialized for small and medium-sized construction businesses and its track record of supporting and accompanying their digitalization, and Contract and Zenken, which have been dispatching and introducing artisans and technicians supporting construction sites, have found their strengths and societal needs to be perfectly aligned, leading to this business partnership. This partnership will enable the simultaneous resolution of the two major challenges faced by small and medium-sized construction companies: "labor shortage" and "digitalization based on AI."

■ Details of This Partnership
Through this partnership, BRANU's sales department will be able to sell "Artisan Scout," operated by Narerugroup's Contract and Zenken, to its existing clients. This will allow BRANU's existing clients to directly approach numerous excellent construction industry professionals registered on "Artisan Scout." Additionally, once a hire is confirmed, BRANU will provide pre-training on the operation of "CAREECON Plus," making the new hires expected to contribute as DX personnel.

Furthermore, Contract and Zenken will sell BRANU's construction DX solution "CAREECON Plus" and BRANU's owned media construction service to their existing clients. This will enable Contract and Zenken's clients who wish to strengthen their corporate branding, acquire new projects, and enhance recruitment by building new owned media to receive BRANU's construction DX solutions.

■ Future Outlook
Service provision through the mutual cooperation of both companies will begin on July 1, 2026. This partnership signifies the launch of an integrated "Human Resources x Construction DX" platform that leverages the strengths of both companies to simultaneously solve the challenges of "labor shortage" and "productivity improvement" for small and medium-sized construction companies. By providing a seamless, one-stop service from human resource introduction to operational efficiency improvement on-site after placement, they aim to build strong, long-term partnerships with client companies and enhance sustained engagement.

Through this strong alliance, BRANU and Narerugroup will enhance the synergy of their respective customer bases, establish competitive advantages in the construction industry, and aim to realize the next generation of a sustainable construction industry by bringing about a new paradigm shift for small and medium-sized construction companies nationwide.

■ Representative Comments
Tatsuya Natomi, Representative Director, BRANU Inc.
The construction industry is currently facing major structural challenges such as labor shortages and aging populations. While it is crucial to improve operational efficiency through AI and create systems where sites and management can run with fewer people, the driving force for advancing the industry has always been the power of "people" who support the sites. AI is not meant to replace people but to expand their potential, and companies can gain greater benefits through "enhancement" rather than "replacement."

BRANU has been addressing the challenges faced by small and medium-sized construction companies under the vision of "Updating the Construction Industry with Technology." We are greatly encouraged to be able to partner with Narerugroup, which has extensive experience in construction human resource services.

By combining the technology provided by BRANU with the expertise in the human resource domain cultivated by Narerugroup, we will support the resolution of resource shortages faced by small and medium-sized construction companies and contribute to creating an environment where on-site professionals can demonstrate greater value.

Naoki Shibata, Representative Director, Narerugroup Inc.
Narerugroup has set the expansion of its artisan introduction business as one of the growth strategies in its medium-term management plan "Change and Growth 2030." We are also promoting the construction of a construction human resource database, including an artisan network, by leveraging Narerugroup's unique customer and human resource bases. This partnership with BRANU is a crucial measure to strengthen our artisan introduction business and materialize our construction human resource platform concept, thereby accelerating our company's further growth.

By combining BRANU's construction DX solution "CAREECON Plus" with our group's construction industry-specific direct recruitment service "Artisan Scout" and their job seeker database, we will support small and medium-sized construction companies in solving their labor shortage and operational efficiency issues. We also believe this will lead to the expansion of our platform and further growth in our artisan introduction business.

We will continue to contribute to the development of the entire construction industry by combining the strengths of both companies.

■ About BRANU Inc.
BRANU Inc. (BRANU) operates a construction DX platform business under the vision of "Updating the Construction Industry with Technology." The company provides "CAREECON P