Ajinomoto Co., Inc. history, company profile (overview) and corporate video
Ajinomoto Co., Inc. is a multinational food and biotechnology company headquartered in Chūō, Tokyo, Japan. It operates through the following business sectors: Seasoning and Foods, Frozen Foods, and Healthcare.
HISTORY
The Ajinomoto Group story began in 1908 when scientist Dr. Kikunae Ikeda discovered that the amino acid found in traditional Japanese seaweed soup (also called dashi), L-glutamic acid, is the source of umami – the savory, fifth taste found in many foods. This discovery led to the founding of Ajinomoto Co. and the introduction of the world’s first umami seasoning, monosodium glutamate (AJI-NO-MOTO®).
In 1908, Dr. Ikeda acquired a patent for manufacturing seasoning (monosodium glutamate). That year, Mr. Saburosuke Suzuki II, which established Suzuki Seiyakusho Co. in 1907, also acquired a joint share of the above-mentioned patent with Dr. Ikeda.
In 1917, S. Suzuki & Co. Ltd. (the present Ajinomoto Co., Inc.) was established.
In 1932, the company changed its name to Ajinomoto Honpo S. Suzuki & Co., Ltd.
In 1940, the company changed its name to Suzuki Shokuryo Kogyo Co.
In 1943, the company changed its name to Dai-Nippon Chemical Co.
In 1946 the company changed its name to Ajinomoto Co., Inc.
In 1949, Ajinomoto became a publicly-quoted company, being listed on the Japanese stock exchange.
In 1973, Ajinomoto General Foods products were launched in alliance with General Foods Corp.
In 1980, DANONE products were launched in alliance with Cie GERVAIS DANONE.
In 2006, Ajinomoto acquired Amoy Food Group companies from Groupe Danone.
In 2012, the company sold its Calpis beverage unit to Asahi Breweries.
With more than 30,000 employees, Ajinomoto Co., Inc. is considered one of the Largest Public Companies in the World, according to Forbes.
*Information from Forbes.com, Wikipedia.org, and www.ajinomoto.com
**Video published on YouTube by “味の素KK公式チャンネル（AJINOMOTO OFFICIAL）“