Mitsubishi to acquire significant stake in Gourmet Delica

Japan’s Mitsubishi Corporation (MC) is planning to acquire an 80% stake in pre-cooked rice manufacturer Gourmet Delica from its current owner Kewpie.

In addition to pre-cooked rice, Gourmet Delica also manufactures other food products that are commonly used in lunch boxes.

The majority of these products are sold to MC Group company Lawson, which operates a chain of convenience stores in Japan.

MC intends to acquire Gourmet Delica’s Lawson-related business segments, which are to be spun off to form a new entity, carrying the same name, by way of a company split.

The new Gourmet Delica is set to become an MC Group member from 1 October, while Gourmet Delica’s remaining segments, including non-Lawson related frozen confectionery production, will continue operating under the new name SokaDelica.

Gourmet Delica was originally established in 1990 by Kewpie.

The company possesses a range of production technologies, as well as the capacity for research and development (R&D).

Gourmet Delica has been supplying its pre-cooked foods to Lawson for more than three decades.

Kewpie, which currently holds a 20% stake in the new Gourmet Delica, will continue to work with MC in order to further the company’s development as part of the initiative.

MC intends to involve itself more directly within different sections of its food businesses supply chain by acquiring a major stake in Gourmet Delica.

The company also aims to strengthen its integrated supply chain.

In addition, the development is expected to allow MC to offer value-added products and help raise Lawson’s customer satisfaction ratings.