Japanese food giant Ajinomoto Co. may consider mergers and acquisitions in India and other overseas markets as part of its efforts to augment operations, a top company official has said.
Ajinomoto has already established proprietary marketing infrastructure in India and other countries, but will possibly resort to M&As for 'faster reinforcement of operations,' Masatoshi Ito, president of the company said.
He also said Ajinomoto, which produces food seasonings, cooking oils, foods and pharmaceuticals, also plans to expand operations in countries like as Pakistan, Sri Lanka, West Asia and North Africa, Kyodo news agency reported.
Referring to ongoing realignment in the Japanese food industry including the launch of merger talks in July between Kirin Holdings Co. and Suntory Ltd., he said the consolidation of food companies is 'necessary because the market will gradually shrink as a result of (Japan's) falling birthrate.'
The 61-year-old Ito also pointed to the favourable effects of Ajinomoto's acquisition of soft drink maker Calpis Co. as a wholly owned subsidiary in October 2007.
In 2003, Japan's largest seasoning producer established Ajinomoto India Pvt Ltd, according to information on the company's website.
The literal translation of Aji no Moto is 'essence of taste,' used as a trademark for the company's monosodium glutamate.
Image: Ajinomoto Kamphaeng Phet factory. | Photograph: ajinomoto.com
