| May 2000 |
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| Establishment of New Frozen Foods Company |
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| I. Overview |
| Aiming to fundamentally strengthen its frozen food business, Ajinomoto Co., Inc. will establish a new company by combining its frozen foods business division and marketing division with Ajinomoto Fresh Foods Co., Ltd., which has carried out development and manufacturing. Through this initiative, the frozen foods business will be conducted by a new, full-function company that has development, production and marketing capabilities. |
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| II. Strategy |
| Under the three-year management plan launched in 1999, Ajinomoto has been taking steps to become a global corporation in food and amino acid products from its origins in Japan early in the coming twenty-first century. In addition, a basic management strategy of the Ajinomoto Group is worldwide business development, with operations centering on food-related businesses and the amino-acid-based fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals businesses. |
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The Company is steadily executing five key management strategies: improving consolidated management, strengthening brand equity, establishing world-leading cost-competitiveness, enhancing the R&D system, and contributing to society. Last year in particular, in preparation for the start of consolidated accounting this year, Ajinomoto restructured and integrated its consolidated subsidiaries and affiliates, and acquired or newly established others. These initiatives have reinforced the management foundation of the fine chemical and pharmaceutical businesses.
In addition, last year, in commemoration of its ninety-year anniversary, Ajinomoto introduced a new logo and a slogan ("A Taste of the Future") to symbolize the "new Ajinomoto" and signify a new beginning for the company. The new logo is being used in the implementation of a common brand strategy across the company. |
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| This year, while further shoring up consolidated subsidiaries and affiliates, Ajinomoto is carrying out sweeping revisions of its business structure on a consolidated basis. To succeed in intense global competition, it is necessary to be number one or a strong number two in the market. Ajinomoto is therefore taking additional measures and restructuring its business strategies to secure these positions in each of its businesses. |
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| As part of this movement, Ajinomoto will establish a new company with unified management of development, production and marketing to conduct the frozen foods business, which will continue to be a major driver of rapid growth in the food industry, both in Japan and in international markets. |