Ajinomoto Takes Stake in U.S. Liquid Seasonings FirmAjinomoto Takes Stake in U.S. Liquid Seasonings Firm

Food and amino acids firm Ajinomoto Group announced Wednesday that it is expanding its foothold in the North American food market with the acquisition of a 50.1% stake in U.S. liquid seasonings maker More Than Gourmet Holdings Inc. (MTG). In addition to purchasing the shares, the Japanese company also said it forming a strategic partnership between MTG and its subsidiary, Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition North America Inc. 

“By augmenting this U.S. liquid seasoning business and its associated sales channel for food service and restaurant customers through the combination of Ajinomoto Co.’s proprietary ingredients and ‘deliciousness technologies’ with capabilities to make proposals to customers in the United States, Ajinomoto will enhance the Ajinomoto Group’s Integrated Food Solutions business in North America,” the company said in a press release. 

Ajinomoto estimates that the B2B market for prepared take-out foods, food service, and restaurants in the U.S. will experience a growth rate of 3.2% between 2011 and 2025. The firm said domestic demand for liquid seasonings is increasing over powdered seasonings because of their convenience and perceived quality.

“Food ingredients manufacturers have been shifting toward adding a liquid seasoning manufacturer to their corporate group, incorporating its knowledge of various manufacturing methods, tastes and other matters, then combining them with the group’s parent company’s own ingredients to provide customized menu proposals as a means to strengthen relationships with specified customers,” Ajinomoto said in the release. 

The new partnership will enable Ajinomoto to provide customized products to U.S. food service and restaurant customers and give the firm access to a direct sales channel in the country. MTG’s management structure will remain in place following the close of the transaction. 

Based in Ohio, MTG manufactures a range of liquid ingredients, including stocks, broths, and sauce concentrates.  

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