TORRANCE, Calif. – Last week Tokyo-based company Yakult Honsha Co., Ltd.
officially announced plans to build its first U.S. production facility by 2012
and extend sales of its signature probiotic drink, Yakult, into other areas of
the country. Due to the stable growth of the product through major retail chains
such as Kroger, Safeway, SUPERVALU and Wal-Mart on the West Coast, the company
has determined it will continue expanding its business to the Midwest and East
Coast. Yakult U.S.A. Inc. is importing the beverage from Guadalajara, Mexico,
the closest plant to U.S. borders. No location has been chosen for the U.S.
factory.
“We are very satisfied with the progress and impact Yakult has been making in
the U.S. market and hope it continues,” says Mr. Yoshihiro Kawabata, head of
Yakult’s international business division. “While the sales are impressive, our
company stays true to its mission to help improve the health and happiness of
people everywhere.”
Yakult was introduced into the first mainstream U.S. market in September 2007,
starting in California and gradually rolling out to other states including
Arizona, Nevada and Texas. Currently Yakult’s U.S. sales stand at around 100,000
bottles per day in six states and 28 million bottles per day globally.
“One of the keys to our steady growth is our honest and sincere approach to
educate our customers about their health,” says Yakult U.S.A. vice president and
COO Mr. Teruo Tabuchi.
Yakult U.S.A. Inc. is a subsidiary of Yakult Honsha Co., Ltd. and is
headquartered in Torrance, CA. It distributes Yakult, one of the world’s leading
probiotic beverages, in the U.S. and Canadian markets. Yakult was created by
microbiologist Dr. Minoru Shirota in 1935 in Japan to help people maintain good
health. Scientists all over the world continue to confirm and expand knowledge
regarding the benefits of probiotics and Yakult. Yakult Honsha Co., Ltd. was
established in Japan in 1955 and is regarded as the world’s pioneer of
probiotics. For more information, please visit
www.yakultusa.com.
Source:
Yakult U.S.A. Inc.