Ajinomoto Windsor to build new frozen appetisers plant in US

Ajinomoto Windsor (AWI) has announced plans to invest $39m in the construction of a new plant in Joplin, near the Carthage Plant in Missouri, US, to increase production capacity for frozen appetisers.

Construction has already started on the facility, which will have an annual production capacity of 25,000t.

Production is scheduled to start in November.

The company intends to use the investment to strengthen its frozen appetisers production system and enhance its frozen foods business in North America.

In addition to the new plant, AWI has closed an agreement to transfer ownership of its existing Piedmont facility next to Today’s Food, a manufacturer of frozen and refrigerated food products.

AWI noted that the food service sector plays an important role and accounts for approximately 30% of its sales, while frozen appetisers category consitutes roughly 30% of its sales.

Ajinomoto will introduce new development and production technologies in the frozen appetiser category, as well as provide sufficient space for new plants at the AWI site to cater to future demands.

According to the company, the market for frozen appetisers for food service has increased by 5% over the last two years.

During that period, AWI’s frozen appetiser sales have increased approximately 6% a year.

The two other production facilities of the company are already close to reaching their maximum production capacity.