SYDNEY (Kyodo) Smith's Snackfood Co., Australia's largest snack maker, has bought Sakata Rice Snacks Australia, the market leader in rice snacks, for an undisclosed price, according to the Australian company.

Smith's, a part of PepsiCo International, has acquired all assets of Sakata in Australia, including its manufacturing facility in North Laverton, Victoria State.

It will continue to produce Sakata products and has also acquired worldwide rights, excluding Japan, to manufacture, distribute and market the brand.

The Australian plant, located near Melbourne, was opened in 1994 as the first offshore plant of Sakata, a Japanese company founded by the Sato brothers in Sakata, Yamagata Prefecture, more than 50 years ago.

It supplies more than 30 products to countries, including the United States, Britain, Canada and New Zealand, and there are plans to further expand the export business.