Ajinomoto to Restructure Organization in North America in April

24 Feb 2015 --- With the acquisition of Windsor Quality Holdings, LP by consolidated subsidiary Ajinomoto North America, Inc., Ajinomoto Co., Inc. has decided to restructure its organization in North America by dividing it into the consumer foods business and the amino acids/foods for processed food manufacturers business as of April 1, 2015. This restructuring will speed decision making, strengthen competitiveness and accelerate business development.

Ajinomoto Co. has a history of nearly 100 years of business operations in North America, where its first overseas office was established. Its main businesses there are the manufacture, import, export and sale of consumer foods and AJI-NO-MOTO and other amino acids for processed food manufacturers. North America is positioned as a priority area to be strengthened in the Ajinomoto Group’s FY2014-2016 Medium-Term Management Plan. With the acquisition of WF in 2014, Ajinomoto Co. decided to restructure its organization in North America in line with its business model to accelerate growth in the consumer foods business. Ajinomoto Co. will advance its operations by dividing them into the consumer foods business and the amino acids/foods for processed food manufacturers business, and further strengthening marketing and sales for both.

In the consumer foods business, where the main customers are general consumers and food service, through the integration of AFU, WF, the consumer foods business of AJINA, and ANAI in AWI, Ajinomoto Co. will comprehensively revise product development, production processes and sales channels to build a more efficient business foundation and strengthen product development and sales capabilities that match consumer preferences. In particular, Ajinomoto Co. aims to be the clear No. 1 manufacturer of Japanese, Asian and other ethnic frozen foods in the huge North American frozen foods market.

In the amino acids/foods for processed food manufacturers business, where the main customers are processed food manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies, Ajinomoto Co. provides products and services based on customer needs. Ajinomoto Co. will continue to enhance its high-value-added product development capabilities by applying its world-leading amino acid technologies and the Ajinomoto Group’s original materials and application technologies for foods, and strengthen its ability to make proposals in the “wellness and nutrition” business field in North America.