Background of New Plant Establishment

In 2019, we launched Ajinomoto Food Manufacturing Co., Ltd., a new company responsible for the production of seasonings and processed foods in Japan. Subsequently, we consolidated five Ajinomoto Group bases scattered throughout the Kansai, Tokai, and Chubu areas, as well as Kawasaki City, and reorganized the production system for seasonings and processed foods in stages.

From 2020 to 2022, we have utilized Kanagawa Prefecture's subsidy program twice to build two new plants on the site of our Kawasaki Plant. One plant manufactures and packages processed products such as Knorr Cup Soup, and the other is a packaging plant for natural seasonings and enzyme products in our B2B business. These plants were built to increase production efficiency by utilizing state-of-the-art technologies such as ICT and automation.

In addition to manufacturing facilities, the Ajinomoto Group's R&D departments are also concentrated in the Kawasaki area. The R&D departments of Ajinomoto Co., Inc. and Ajinomoto AGF, Inc. and Ajinomoto Frozen Foods Co., Inc. are located on the same site, creating a very favorable environment for smooth industrialization of developed products and lively exchanges among R&D departments.

In this environment, our aim is to build a world-class production system capable of flexible and rapid adaptation to customer demand by continuously introducing cutting-edge technologies.

Effects of utilizing Subsidy Program

Kanagawa Prefecture's subsidies have allowed us to achieve ICT and automation in our plants. One classic example of this is the introduction of automated guided vehicles (AGVs). Our AGV-centered automation system has greatly improved the efficiency of manufacturing processes.
From production planning to each manufacturing process, all processes are managed by the system, and production efficiency is enhanced through joint effort between humans and machines. Specifically, AGVs receive raw materials brought from an automated warehouse and transport them to production lines where employees are located. Manufacturing begins when the raw materials, which have been meticulously checked by human eyes, are fed into the equipment. AGVs carry these to the production line where mixing (powder blending) takes place, and AGVs again carry the finished products to the warehouse.

A wide variety of food ingredients is manufactured at our plant, with some more complex foods blended from as many as 50 different ingredients. In addition, we handle more than 350 types of raw materials, and the type and weight of raw materials used will vary depending on the product. The introduction of automation has made it possible to manage these diverse raw materials, accurately weigh and mix them, and feed them in the right order at the right time, making each process run more smoothly.

Advantages of Operating a Business in Kawasaki

The advantages of operating a business in Kawasaki are manifold.

Firstly, the plant site is located near the Tama River, allowing us to take advantage of abundant water resources. It is said that in the early days of our founding, the Tama River served as a conduit for bringing in raw materials and shipping out products by boat. In the past, river water was also used for cooling equipment and other purposes.

Secondly, logistics advantages due to a well-developed transportation network. In particular, the proximity to the Daikoku Pier allows for smooth shipping of products, including exports overseas.

Thirdly, excellent access to Haneda Airport and Shinkansen bullet trains. The Kawasaki Plant is one of the Ajinomoto Group's three largest in-house plants worldwide, along with plants in Brazil and Thailand. As a result, employees from overseas corporations frequently visit the area for training and inspection, taking advantage of the strong access from overseas.

Our presence in Kawasaki is also notable for our strong partnerships within the community. Ajinomoto has established a partnership agreement with Kanagawa Prefecture to address pre-symptomatic illness, and Ajinomoto's Kawasaki Administration & Coordination Office is a member of the Keihin Waterfront Area Hydrogen Network Council, led by Kawasaki City. This also allows us to study the development of an attractive town for future energy concepts.

Future Business Outlook

The Kawasaki Plant, the mother plant of the Ajinomoto Group, celebrated its 110th anniversary in September 2024. The factory, which combines one of the largest production plants in Japan with an R&D department, is the birthplace of Ajinomoto Co Inc. All our employees have had the pride and sense of mission that “Our identity is in this place” since our founding.

As for our future development, a long-term renewal plan is being formulated to address the plant's aging facilities. We will pursue what the next generation of factories should be while promoting initiatives to protect the environment, such as reducing CO₂ emissions. Furthermore, we will focus on creating new innovations by further strengthening cooperation with R&D departments of each company within our group.