AI CROSS Inc. (Minato-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director & CEO: Noriko Harada, hereinafter "AI CROSS") has provided its AI demand forecasting service "Deep Predictor" to Asahi Sangyo Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Toda-shi, Saitama, hereinafter "Asahi Sangyo"). Through this implementation via sales agent Ricoh Japan Co., Ltd., Asahi Sangyo began operations in May 2026 at its headquarters and its Osaka location. This implementation aims to support the sophistication of demand forecasting and ordering operations, eliminate reliance on individual expertise, and achieve both "prevention of stockouts" and "reduction of excess inventory." Background of Implementation: Sophisticating "Ordering Decisions" and Eliminating Reliance on Individual Expertise at a Building Material Manufacturer Handling Diverse Products Since its founding in 1976, Asahi Sangyo has been a specialized manufacturer that manufactures and sells protective covers for insulation materials and decorative exterior materials used in piping and air conditioning systems, supporting everything from housing to large buildings, plants, and major projects. In addition to its four domestic locations, including its headquarters, Osaka branch/factory, Fukuoka sales office, and Sapporo sales office/factory, it also has a manufacturing base in Thailand (ASAHI HASEGAWA CO., LTD.), ensuring a stable supply of a wide variety of exterior materials. Across the industry, "balancing the prevention of stockouts with the reduction of excess inventory" and "eliminating reliance on individual expertise for ordering decisions" are becoming common management themes for manufacturing companies. The "2025 Monozukuri White Paper" (Note 1) by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, among others, indicates the need to shift manufacturing industry planning operations from relying on the experience of personnel to data-driven decision-making. However, according to a survey by PwC Consulting LLC (Note 2), only 25% of Japanese companies ar