Kewpie expands SEA footprint

SINGAPORE: Major Japanese mayonnaise maker Kewpie Corp will establish a sales arm in Singapore next month in a fresh bid to beef up its operations in Southeast Asia.

Kewpie has acquired an 80% stake in food importer Minato Singapore Pte Ltd from its largest stockholder Nakashimato Co of Tokyo through a third-party share allotment to turn Minato into a subsidiary on Oct 1.

Kewpie Singapore Pte Ltd will import mayonnaise, dressing and other products mainly from Japan, Malaysia and Thailand.

Kewpie moved into the region in 1987. It now has subsidiaries in Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines as well as in Malaysia and Thailand.