Kagome (company)

Kagome Co., Ltd. (カゴメ株式会社, Kagome Kabushiki-gaisha) is a Japanese manufacturer and distributor of tomato-based foods, and fruit and vegetable juices.[2]

Kagome Co., Ltd.
Native name
カゴメ株式会社
Kagome Kabushiki-gaisha
TypePublic (K.K.)
TYO: 2811
IndustryFood
Founded1899 (business founded)
1949 (incorporated)[1]
FounderIchitaro Kanie
Headquarters
Nagoya, Aichi
,
Japan
Number of locations
17[1]
Area served
Asia, North America[2]
Key people
Koji Kioka, President[2]
ProductsTomato products
Drinks
Number of employees
2,209 (2013)
DivisionsBeverage Products
Food Products
Institutional & Industrial Products
Fresh Vegetables
Overseas
Research and Development
Websitekagome.co.jp
Kagome is a major processor of fruit and vegetables in Japan

Its core product is the Yasai Seikatsu 100 brand of vegetable juice, introduced in 1995.[1][3] It also claims to be Japan's largest supplier of tomato ketchup and tomato juice.[1] Kagome grows tomatoes in greenhouses and market gardens in Japan.[1]

Since 2007, it has partnered with Asahi Breweries (TYO: 2502) to develop low alcohol fruit and vegetable drinks.[4] U.S.-based global fast food restaurateur, Yum! Brands, awarded its 2008 Asia Franchise STAR to Kagome.[5]

History
Kagome started as a tomato grower, and its main products are still based on tomatoes

Ichitaro Kanie began cultivating tomatoes in 1899 — according to Kagome, these were the first grown in Japan.[1] He soon began producing tomato ketchup and Worcester sauce.[1] However, tomato juice was not sold until 1933.[1] The Kagome trademark was registered in 1917, and the Aichi Tomato Co., Ltd was incorporated in 1949.[1] In 1963, Aichi Tomato became Kagome Co., Ltd, and fifteen years later, gained a listing on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.[1]

Beginning with the 1998 incorporation of a United States subsidiary, Kagome developed overseas, with subsidiaries and minority stakes in affiliates in Asia, North America and Europe, and a strategic alliance with the H. J. Heinz Company.[1][6][7][8] It also purchased a Japanese company specializing in vegetable lactic acid bacteria, Yukijirushi Labio Co., Ltd, now Kagome Labio Co., Ltd.[1]

References
  1. "Corporate Profile (English)". 2008. Archived from the original on 2008-06-12. Retrieved 2008-05-12.
  2. "Company Outline (English)". Retrieved 2008-05-12.
  3. Dow Jones Newswires (2008-04-22). "Kagome to Hike Prices on Vegetable Juice in July (DJ)". FlEXNEWS. Archived from the original on 2008-04-29. Retrieved 2008-05-12.
  4. Jiji Press (2008-05-12). "Asahi, Kagome to Launch Fizzy, Low-Alcohol Vegetable Drink". Japan Corporate News Network. Retrieved 2008-05-12.
  5. "Yum! Recognizes Top Suppliers". QSR magazine. 2008-05-09. Retrieved 2008-05-12.
  6. Charles Smith (2001-07-26). "Kagome links with Heinz in Japan.(Brief Article)". The Daily Deal. Retrieved 2008-05-12.
  7. AP Online (2002-09-09). "Heinz, Kagome Call Off Alliance". HighBeam Research. U.S. food giant H.J. Heinz Co. and Japanese foodmaker Kagome Co. said Monday they have dropped plans to invest in each other although they intend to continue working together on some aspects of their businesses.
  8. AFX News (2007-05-17). "Japan's Kagome buys stake in Portuguese tomato processing firm - report". Forbes.com. Retrieved 2008-05-26.
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