Ajinomoto Frozen Foods Co., Inc. to Invest JPY 5 Billion to
Reconstruct Building No. 1 at Its Core Kanto Plant
Move Will Add Strength in Priority Product Domains
Tokyo, May 23, 2012 - Following the key principles of strengthening business operating platforms to accommodate changes in the operating environment and creating a powerful business base for future growth under the FY2011 - 2013 Medium-Term Management Plan, Ajinomoto Frozen Foods Co., Inc. will accelerate growth in priority product domains and promote entry into new product domains by reconstructing the Kanto Plant, its primary domestic plant, to increase the quality and efficiency of its manufacturing organization.

Reconstruction of Building No. 1 at the Kanto Plant is slated for completion in September 2014. Part of domestic plant reconstruction plans, the project will install a new production line to expand the dessert business, a priority product domain. It will further enhance quality and raise production efficiency through plant consolidation. Moreover, it will ensure supply capacity and space for increased production to support future growth, including introduction of new product domains.

In addition, reconstruction will make production environmentally friendly by eliminating the use of chlorofluorocarbons and raising energy efficiency.

1. Plant Overview
Name: Kanto Plant, Ajinomoto Frozen Foods Co., Inc.
Location: 1222 Yoshida, Oizumi-machi, Oura-gun, Gunma Prefecture
Land and buildings: Land: 29,845m2
Buildings: 9,656m2
Production capacity: 24,000 tons/year
Number of employees: 835 (plan for 2014)
Products manufactured: Pre-cooked frozen foods (gyoza [Chinese dumplings], shumai
[Chinese dumplings] and fried products)

 

2. Capital Investment Overview
Name of business: Kanto Plant, Ajinomoto Frozen Foods Co., Inc.
Investment: Approximately JPY 5 billion
Building: Three-storey steel-frame construction
Building area: approximately 4,600m2
Floor space: approximately 13,300m2
Production capacity: 9,200 tons/year (approximately 1 million cases/year)
Products to be manufactured: Desserts, other cooked and processed frozen foods
Planned completion: September 2014

About Ajinomoto
Ajinomoto is a global manufacturer of high-quality seasonings, processed foods, beverages, amino acids, pharmaceuticals and specialty chemicals. For many decades Ajinomoto has contributed to food culture and human health through wide-ranging application of amino acid technologies. Today, the company is becoming increasingly involved with solutions for improved food resources, human health and global sustainability. Founded in 1909 and now operating in 26 countries, Ajinomoto had net sales of JPY 1,197.3 billion (USD 15.1 billion) in fiscal 2011. For more about Ajinomoto (TYO: 2802), visit www.ajinomoto.com.

For further information, please contact:
Ajinomoto Co., Inc. Public Communications Department; pr_info@ajinomoto.com

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