1. Ajinomoto Investment in the US
Paul Taylor
Portland, OR
March 1, 2018

2. Aji-who? 28th largest food company in world Founded in Japan in 1909
Net sales (2016): 1.1 trillion yen (nearly $12.8 billion)
35,000 employees in 30 countries
120 plants in 22 countries
Sell products into 130 countries
Founded in Japan in 1909
Amino acids
Umami
MSG

3. Global Products Seasonings/Ingredients Consumer food products
MSG
Aspartame
Consumer food products
Soup (Knorr in Japan)
Coffee (Blendy and Birdy)
Frozen foods
Amino acid products for health and nutrition
Animal nutrition products
Specialty chemicals

4. Ajinomoto in North America
Opened first office in NYC in 1917
Now:
12 companies in US, Canada, Mexico
27 locations in 11 states/provinces
$1.6 billion in net sales
4,000 employees

5. AJINOMOTO NORTH AMERICA DIVISION MAIN COMPANIES & LOCATIONS
(March 2018)
New Season Foods
Portland, OR
Emp: 100
Loc: 1
Kenney & Ross
Nova Scotia, CAN
Emp: 50
Loc: 1
Ajinomoto Toyo
Portland, OR
Emp: 50
Loc: 1
Ajinomoto North America
Itasca, IL
Emp: 425
Loc: 3
Ajinomoto Heartland
Chicago, IL
Emp: 180
Loc: 2
Cambrooke
Ayer, MA
Emp: 50
Loc: 4
Ajinomoto Fine-Techno
San Jose, CA
Emp: 2
Loc: 1
Ajinomoto Windsor
Ontario, CA
Emp: 2,500
Loc: 12
Ajinomoto Althea
San Diego, CA
Emp: 390
Loc: 1
Ajinomoto de Mexico
Mexico City, MEX
Emp: 20
Loc: 1

7. Ajinomoto in Oregon Acquisition of Granpac (Showa Sangyo) in 2000
500 employees in four facilities
Ajinomoto Windsor in Portland
Pot stickers, fried rice, Asian
Ajinomoto Toyo Frozen Noodles in Portland
Frozen noodles
New Season Foods in Forest Grove
Sweet corn powder
Yamaki USA in Forest Grove
Bonito flakes

8. Japanese Investment in Oregon
Strategic initiative from state
Governor Atiyeh ( )
Repeal of unitary tax (1986)
“From Oregon with Love” TV show ( )
Delta nonstop flights to NRT (1986)
Intel  silicon wafer production
Shinetsu
Komatsu
Mitsubishi
Sumitomo
Wacker (Germany)
Expanded high tech investment
Tokyo Electron
Food
Ajinomoto
Yamasa
Cars
Toyota
Honda
Subaru
Others

10. Why Oregon? History Proximity/access Educated workforce
Government support
Cultural acceptance

11. Benefits of Foreign Investment
Jobs, jobs, jobs, and more jobs
Overall economic development
Economies of scale
Innovation
Expanded cultural connections