Ezaki Glico Co., Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, produces and sells confectionery and other food products in Japan, China, Southeast Asia, the United States, and internationally. The company operates through five segments: Confectioneries and Food Products, Ice Cream, Milk and Dairy, Food Ingredients, and Overseas. It produces and sells chocolates, cookies, curry roux, retort-packed food, and other products; milk and other dairy products, western-style fresh confectioneries, and baby formula products; snacks and ice creams; and starch, food coloring, and other products. The company also offers fruit juices and soft drinks, food and fine chemical materials, and health-related products. It sells its products in offices and stores, as well as through e-commerce. The company was founded in 1922 and is headquartered in Osaka, Japan.

History

Japan

In 1919, Riichi Ezaki created a caramel candy product containing glycogen extracted from oysters. The caramel candy product was named "Cuchieco". The sales copy of this product was "300 Meters in a Single Piece," and a running man was painted on the package. On February 11, 1922 Riichi started selling Glico products at Mitsukoshi Osaka branch.

Later, in 1922, Riichi established a company, Ezaki Glico Co., Ltd Glico is the shorted word for glycogen. Its Osaka Factory and Tokyo Factory were destroyed during World War II, and they were reopened in 1951. Popular products like Pretz and Pocky were introduced in 1963 and 1966 respectively.

In 1984, Glico Morinaga case, a series of criminal incidents targeting Japanese major food manufacturers, occurred. Ezaki Glico was one of the victims. Targeted by a group known as "The Monster with 21 Faces", the group claimed that $21 million worth of sweets were laced with Potassium cyanide soda, while Katsuhisa Ezaki, President and CEO, was kidnapped but escaped by himself. Ezaki Glico was blackmailed and its office was burned by the criminals.

Mission

Ezaki Glico's mission is to create a society of health and well-being through the development of safe and tasty food products that meet the needs of consumers around the world.

Vision

Ezaki Glico‘s vision is to nourish the body and bring joy to people's lives by developing innovative and delicious products that are safe and healthy.

Key Team

Mr. Yasuhito Murakami (Managing Exec. Officer and Director of Gen. Affairs & HR Department)

Mr. Katsuya Ohkawabata (Managing Director, Head of Quality Assurance Departments and Head of Product Quality Control)

Mr. Ken-Ichi Morii (Chief Director of Frozen Desserts Department)

Mr. Takashi Kuriki (Managing Exec. Officer, Director of Biochemical Research Department & Director)

Shuji Hukagawa (Managing Director)

Mr. Toshio Monna (Director of Overall Sales and In-Charge of PR Department - Tokyo)

Mr. Masaharu Shibaike (Director of Bus. Planning Office)

Recognition and Awards

Ezaki Glico has received numerous awards for its products, including the Japan Food Service Award from the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare in 2017 and the Hyogo Prefectural Industrial Technology Award in 2018.