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OVERVIEW:
In the 93 years since its establishment, Ajinomoto’s seasonings business has grown from AJI-NO-MOTO (monosodium glutamate), the world’s first umami seasoning, to encompass core products such as basic seasonings Hi-Me, Aji-Shio and Seto no Honjio, the Hon-Dashi series of Japanese seasoning mixes, and retort pouch products such as Cook Do and Gohan Ga Susumu Kun. These brands are well known for their safety and reliability. Ajinomoto responds to diverse consumer needs through proactive product development, and continues its emphasis on the restaurant market. |
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STRENGTHS:
• Leading brand in the household and commercial markets in the categories of umami seasonings and seasoning mixes for Japanese and Chinese dishes.
• Solidifying leadership in the area of liquid Japanese seasonings for the commercial market. |
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OVERVIEW:
In April 2001, Ajinomoto’s edible oil operations were spun off and consolidated into Ajinomoto Oil Mills Co., Inc. To establish a solid presence in the cooking oil industry and strengthen the competitiveness of its operations, the company’s management was integrated with HONEN Corporation in April 2002 through a joint stock holding company, HONEN AJINOMOTO OIL MILLS, INC. Moreover, a strategic alliance was formed between HONEN AJINOMOTO OIL MILLS, INC. and Yoshihara Oil Mill, Ltd. |
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STRENGTHS:
• Household market: Kenko Sarara extremely well received for ability to block absorption of cholesterol, became first product from an edible oil manufacturer to be certified as Food for Specified Health Use.
• Commercial market: Support for developing products with quality and functions required by commercial market. Acclaimed for innovative new ideas. |
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OVERVIEW:
Ajinomoto’s processed food business encompasses soups, consommé and mayonnaise. The Knorr brand has led the Japanese soup market since its introduction 39 years ago. Popular products include breakfast favorite Knorr Cup Soup. Ajinomoto kk Consommé has occupied an important position in Japanese households for 40 years, not only as an essential ingredient in homemade soups, but also as a seasoning for a variety of dishes. In the mayonnaise segment, core product Pure Select Mayonnaise is complemented by healthy, low-calorie Pure Select Half. In the commercial market, Ajinomoto is expanding its product lineup of soups, mayonnaise, high-quality sauces and dressings, while entering new categories. |
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STRENGTHS:
• Household market: Working to enhance core product values of good taste and nutrition and communicate these qualities to customers. Market-leading Knorr soups have strong brand power. Mayonnaise products clearly differentiated by their high quality. Key ingredients manufactured by Ajinomoto Group members.
• Commercial market: Products differentiated on the basis of their ingredients. Product development system makes use of Knorr brand assets and an expanded global network. Organized to provide products quickly and reliably to commercial users. |
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OVERVIEW:
Ajinomoto Frozen Foods Co., Inc., created in October 2000 through the consolidation of Ajinomoto Fresh Foods Co., Ltd. with Ajinomoto’s frozen food-related divisions, is a full-function company that encompasses product development, production and marketing. In the year and a half since its establishment, Ajinomoto Frozen Foods has made substantial progress toward its objectives of improving the speed of management decision-making and product development while strengthening cost competitiveness. In addition, the company is developing its global operations at its five overseas production bases – two in Thailand, two in China and one in the U.S. – from which it supplies high-quality and economical products using carefully selected ingredients.
2002 marks the 30th anniversary of the start of Ajinomoto’s frozen food operations. The Company remains committed to earning the trust of consumers by continuing to emphasize product quality and reliability along with great taste. |
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STRENGTHS:
• Household market: Top brand for Chinese dishes such as dumplings, chicken products, pilaf and gratin products. Many long-selling products that have earned market support and customer trust.
• Commercial market: Top brand for homestyle vegetable dishes, in addition to core Chinese dumplings and rice dishes. Rapidly expanding sales in the growing market for chicken products. Support from commercial users for high-quality ingredients and superior production techniques established by analyzing chefs’ skills. |
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OVERVIEW:
Ajinomoto’s beverages and dairy product operations comprise Ajinomoto General Foods, Inc., which operates the coffee segment; Calpis Co., Ltd., which is responsible for the beverage business; and Calpis Ajinomoto Danone Co., Ltd., which handles dairy products. In each field, Ajinomoto pursues strong brand power and product development capabilities through a global network of alliances. |
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STRENGTHS:
• Ajinomoto General Foods, Inc.: Brand power and technology of Kraft Foods, Inc.
• Calpis Co., Ltd.: More than eighty years of experience in the market; proprietary milk fermentation technology; products that are delicious, healthy, reliable and economical.
• Calpis Ajinomoto Danone Co., Ltd.: Brand power and technology of the Danone Group. |
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OVERVIEW:
Ajinomoto’s international operations began more than 90 years ago, shortly after the Company’s foundation, with the start of sales of AJI-NO-MOTO. AJI-NO-MOTO is now sold in more than 100 countries worldwide and is the leading brand in its category in most of those markets. Ajinomoto tailors product development to specific market tastes, and has developed solid positions in the seasoning mix markets in Thailand, Indonesia and Brazil. Ajinomoto has also been developing operations in the areas of instant noodles in Brazil, Thailand and Poland; frozen foods in North America; beverages in Thailand and Indonesia; and processed foods through joint ventures in six Southeast Asian countries and regions. |
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STRENGTHS:
• Number one brand identity in the global monosodium glutamate market.
• Experience in localizing management, sales and product development.
• Reputation for product quality and reliability. |
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OVERVIEW:
Focusing on amino acid-based products, the AminoScience business helps realize Ajinomoto’s fundamental philosophy of contributing to better food, health and lifestyles. The business comprises the fields of amino acids, specialty chemicals, sweeteners, pharmaceutical intermediates and functional nutritional foods.
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STRENGTHS:
• Original technology and cost competitiveness. |
Amino Acids: Amino acids are used as ingredients for pharmaceuticals in the area of clinical nutrition, including infusions and enteral formulas. They are also used in food products such as supplements and flavorings, as well as cosmetics and pharmaceutical intermediates. Two key features of the amino acid business are its applications in diverse industries and its global scale. As the world’s largest manufacturer of amino acids, Ajinomoto produces primarily the 20 basic amino acids in bulk at eight locations in Japan and overseas, and sells them all over the world. Ajinomoto also works to expand the market through activities such as research on the usefulness of amino acids and development of new materials and applications.
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| Amino Acids: Ability to provide a stable supply of high-quality amino acids and diversified technology for their use. |
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Specialty Chemicals: Ajinomoto develops amino acid-based cosmetic ingredients that are comfortable for human skin as well as environmentally friendly functional chemicals and electrochemicals.
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Specialty Chemicals:
Cosmetic and toiletry ingredients: Materials that are highly friendly to both human skin and the environment; excellent product reputation.
Electrochemicals: World’s first film-type insulation material. |
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Sweeteners: Changing diets and greater health-consciousness among consumers have helped to expand the market for amino acid-based sweetener aspartame worldwide.
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| Sweeteners: Two aspartame production bases, in Japan and Europe; global cost competitiveness and superior quality. |
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Pharmaceutical Intermediates: Ajinomoto manufactures and supplies amino acid and nucleotide derivatives for use as intermediates in pharmaceuticals such as antiviral agents. Together with Belgian subsidiary S.A. OmniChem N.V., which has developed a specialized manufacturing process based on synthesis technology and possesses facilities equipped to handle difficult or sensitive chemical reactions, Ajinomoto engages in joint projects to manufacture optically active compounds for pharmaceutical intermediates.
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| Pharmaceutical Intermediates: Extensive product lineup and industry-leading capabilities in process research and development. |
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| Functional Nutritional Foods: Ajinomoto has expanded sales of the Amino Vital series, a line of nutritional supplements incorporating the physiological properties of amino acids, by actively introducing new products and promoting the benefits of amino acids to a wide group of people, from professional athletes to everyday consumers. |
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| Functional Nutritional Foods: Product development with a firm scientific base. |
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OVERVIEW:
The Pharmaceuticals Business has repositioned its strategy to focus primarily on clinical nutrition and gastrointestinal and lifestyle-related diseases. Ajinomoto’s tripolar R&D network in Japan, the United States and Europe works to create innovative drugs for the global market as well as clinical nutrition and gastrointestinal drugs for the Japanese market. The antidiabetic agent nateglinide, launched in Japan in 1999, became available in the U.S. and many European countries during 2001, and has been favorably received. In the clinical nutrition segment, by employing the concept of “Total Nutrition Care,” Ajinomoto has gained a high market share for products that employ amino acid technology, such as infusions, enteral nutrition products, and drugs for hepatic and renal diseases. |
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STRENGTHS:
• Unique technology as the world’s leading manufacturer of amino acid products.
• Superior strategy-building capabilities in areas of core competence. |
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OVERVIEW:
Since 1960, amino acids have been added to swine and poultry feed as a means of improving growth. These amino acids also reduce the cost and increase the efficiency of feed, while helping to save valuable natural protein resources and prevent livestock waste pollution. Ajinomoto commenced production of feed-grade Lysine in 1965.
Today, feed-use amino acids are a core business for Ajinomoto, which has become an industry leader with its global production and supply network. Ajinomoto’s share of the 600,000-ton global market for feed-use Lysine is 35 percent. In addition, the Company supplies more than 60 percent of the rapidly growing market for feed-use Threonine, currently estimated at 33,000 tons per year. Ajinomoto is developing the market for feed-use Tryptophan as the third pillar of its feed-use amino acid product lineup, and has already gained a market share of more than 60 percent. In summer 2000, production of feed-grade Tryptophan was transferred to a manufacturing facility in Europe and production capacity has been increased. |
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STRENGTHS:
• Ajinomoto’s emphasis on the development of amino acid fermentation technology is the fundamental strength to support its leadership in the industry.
• Six production facilities worldwide (France, Italy, U.S., Thailand, China and Brazil), operating globally as the AJINOMOTO ANIMAL NUTRITION group. |
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