Dive Brief:
- Ajinomoto, a maker of seasonings and frozen dumplings, will buy Texas-based Windsor Quality Holdings LP for $800 million.
- The deal gives Ajinomoto access to a substantial North American distribution network. Windsor owns three distribution centers, seven production facilities, and sells its brands at 80,000 retailers in North America.
- The deal comes two months after Ajinomoto lost a bid to acquire the flavor maker behind the Capri Sun brand.
Dive Insight:
Ajinomoto has not been shy about its ambitions. The company wants to be a major player in the global food industry, and this deal looks like a particularly wise way to make that happen. Windsor Quality has built a sales network for its frozen food brands — particularly Ling Ling — that should mesh nicely with Ajinomoto's frozen dumpling and noodle brands.