Hulic: Hulic crosses 5% stake in SQUEEZE, triggering block purchase disclosure

Hulic announced on September 18, 2026, that it will acquire 163,100 ordinary shares of SQUEEZE through an off-market block trade. This acquisition brings Hulic's voting rights ratio to 5.0%, based on the total 32,619 votes held by all shareholders as of August 31, 2026.

Because this transaction falls under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act's definition of a 'block purchase equivalent,' Hulic was required to make an ad hoc disclosure. The transaction, governed by a share transfer agreement with existing shareholders signed on the same day, is not merely an investment but a strategic move to clarify Hulic's influence over SQUEEZE. Achieving over 5% is a critical milestone that mandates strict transparency.

While infrastructure giants frequently invest in vertical cloud ventures, securing a specific block of 163,000 shares to cross the 5% disclosure threshold indicates a significant step in negotiations. The off-market approach was likely chosen to mitigate price fluctuation risks while firmly securing the intended stake.

SQUEEZE is recognized for holding 32,619 voting rights as of late August 2026. By acquiring more than half of these votes, Hulic gains substantial influence over key corporate decisions. The share transfer execution date is set for September 18, 2026, meaning the capital relationship will officially be established later this month.

Hulic possesses a strong foundation in driving digital transformation (DX) within the architecture and construction industries. SQUEEZE's cloud-based BPR solution directly addresses business process efficiency needs, creating expected synergies between the two entities. Given the small denominator of total votes at SQUEEZE, acquiring 163,100 shares represents not just a large capital injection but an exercise of near-controlling influence for the mid-sized venture.

Because this was achieved through individual negotiations with existing shareholders, comparing it to standard market capitalization is difficult. However, it is highly probable that Hulic agreed to a valuation including a premium. Future focus will lie on how SQUEEZE's technology integrates into Hulic's customer base and transforms its revenue structure. This disclosure also invites closer market scrutiny, raising expectations for subsequent IR updates regarding their future partnership.

Prior to this disclosure, information regarding capital ties or M&A between the two companies was limited. This block purchase filing signals a shift from deepening relationships to concrete execution.

For investors, the key metrics will be SQUEEZE's stock price movement and the contribution of Hulic's cloud DX segment to its results. Although the dates refer to 2026 plans, the clear schedule confirms the execution path.

For job seekers, this marks Hulic's full entry into the BPR sector beyond its existing construction IT business. Expectations are high for new business creation teams born from technological integration. While large infrastructure firms partnering with specialized cloud ventures is standard DX strategy, acquiring shares at a level triggering block purchase disclosures underscores the urgency and importance of this alliance.