Japan: Yamazaki Bakery and Mondelez end Nabisco brand tie up
As part of a recent strategic shift, Japanese bakery firm Yamazaki Bakery has decided against renewing its licencing agreement with international food giant Mondelez International, under which it manufactures products under the Yamazaki Nabisco banner, according to a report in the Nikkei Asian Review
The decision marks the end of a relationship dating back to the 1970s through which Yamazaki has produced goods for the Japanese market under brands such as Ritz and Oreo.
As a result of the move, the subsidiary organisation Yamazaki-Nabisco will undergo a name change and products will be both manufactured and sold by Mondelez's Japanese arm from September 2016.
Commenting on the situation, Heizo Hotori, managing director of Mondelez Japan, said: “Oreo cookies and Ritz and Premium crackers are much-loved brands with a long history in Japan. I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Yamazaki Nabisco for its great contribution to the growth of these brands over 45 years".
“It’s an exciting opportunity for us to bring an expanded brand portfolio to delight consumers in Japan with the return of the Nabisco snacks brand, Oreo cookies and Ritz and Premium crackers. Our passion for making brands people love is supported by our knowledge, experience, research and development capability and quality assurance from our global network. We look forward to growing these brands in Japan”.
Source: Nikkei Asian Review / Bakery & Snacks / World Grain