Ajinomoto Windsor, Inc. (AW) has announced that its new frozen appetizer factory and R&D facility in Joplin, Missouri is expected to be operational by early 2018. Some $39 million is being invested in the plant, which will feature cutting edge equipment and expanded innovation capabilities.
Over the last five years, demand for coated appetizers has steadily increased in North America. This has resulted in constrained capacity, and supply issues have affected the foodservice industry.
Breaded Pickle Chips are among many coated appetizers available under AW’s Fred’s for Starters label. Long popular in Arkansas and much of the American south, restaurants throughout the country have been adding it to their menus in recent years.“We are excited to be opening our new production facility in Joplin. This will allow us to not only support the growing needs of our customers, but also lead the industry in coated appetizer solutions,” stated Chris Meyer, senior vice president of business development at Ajinomoto Windsor.
It is anticipated that the operation will provide employment for up to 240 people.
Headquartered in Ontario, California, Ajinomoto Windsor was established in 2015 after Houston, Texas-based Windsor Foods became a member of Tokyo, Japan-based Ajinomoto Co., Inc. In addition to specialty frozen appetizers such as breaded cauliflower, mozzarella cheese sticks, onion rings, corn nuggets and pickle chips, the company distributes snacks and entrees to retail stores, commercial restaurants and foodservice operators from 10 plants in eight states. Among brands in its extensive portfolio are Fred’s for Starters, VIP, Bernardi, Tai Pei, Simmering Samurai, Ling Ling, Golden Tiger, Posada and José Olé.
AW’s parent company is active in 28 countries and employs 33,295 people around the world. Founded in 1909 as a producer of monosodium glutamate (MSG) seasoning, Ajinomoto had net sales of approximately US $9.84 billion and gross profit of $3.46 billion in fiscal 2015 It established a full-scale frozen food business in North America in 2000.
