Azuma Kirin acquires 100% of the capital of Tozan

The Azuma Kirin, Kirin Holdings Japanese group company specialized in the production of sake, has completed the acquisition of 100% of the capital of brazilian Agricultural Industry Tozan, producing Japanese rice (akitakomati type), shoyu, miso soup and Japanese seasonings. The two businesses were amalgamated into a single company, renamed Azuma Kirin Company and will be presented to the market today.
For consumers, the brand Tozan food will cease to exist and will be replaced by Azuma. The drinks (sake and shochu) will maintain the brand Azuma Kirin. The company also developed a new logo for the brand, which will be presented to consumers in July, during the 19th Japan Festival, 8 to 10 July in São Paulo.
The Kirin Holdings already owned 89% stake in the Tozan. The other 11% were in the hands of Toru Iwasaki, great-grandson of the founder of the company. The Agricultural Industry Tozan was founded in Brazil in 1934 by Japanese Hisaya Iwasaki, son of the founder of Mitsubishi group, Yataro Iwasaki. The company was created to cater to the Japanese community installed in Brazil. Now, the founding family leaves the operation.
The new company''s President Shinya Kobayashi, who has presided over the Azuma Kirin. Rodrigo Peca, General Manager of Azuma Kirin Company, said the company invested r $ 1 million in the new headquarters facility, located on Paulista Avenue, in the financial center of Sao Paulo. The Office will bring together officials of the old Azuma Kirin and Tozan, 120 people in all.
"While owns the largest equity stake in the Tozan, the company operated independently in Brazil, without contact with Azuma Kirin. Now the holding company planning for the area of food and sake in Brazil will have a unique targeting, "said Rodrigo Peca, General Manager of Azuma Kirin Company.
According to the Executive, in addition to the new headquarters, the Azuma Kirin Company invests to modernise its plant in Campinas (SP). The value of the investment is kept confidential. The Azuma Kirin also has a unit in Santa Maria (RS), for processing of Japanese rice is sold to consumers or used in the production of sake and miso soup.
Together, Azuma and Tozan produce 65 products between alcoholic drinks and food of Japanese cuisine. Last year, the revenues of the two companies was $ 72,000,000 R$. According to Sin, in the last ten years, businesses accumulated growth of 300%. For the next three years to 2016 to 2018, the forecast is to grow 40%, nearing the end of the billing cycle of 100,000,000 R$. "This perspective of growth already takes into account the negative impact of the brazilian economic crisis," said Peca.
This billing, the category of sake drink represents 35% and rice business accounts for 30%; sake and culinary spices account for 24% and 11%, soy sauce. According to the Executive, 60% of products are sold in the Southeast.
"Although the restaurants sector is suffering from the crisis, there are still many establishments hit. There''s room to grow, "said Peca.
According to the company, the Azuma brand Kirin holds 70% of the market of sake. In foods, Azuma and Tozan have around 50% of participation.
Although belonging to the Group Kirin Holdings, the Azuma Kirin Company has no relationship with the Brazil Kirin, beer and soft drinks company in the group.