Ajinomoto Co., the Japanese maker of flavors and food ingredients, has posted an executive in Europe to hunt for acquisition targets in the region, according to a person with knowledge of the matter.
The executive joined Ajinomoto's European headquarters in the last couple of weeks, and other colleagues have been stationed at other regional headquarters, said the person, who asked not to be identified because the move has yet to be formally announced. A representative for the company declined to comment.
The postings show Ajinomoto remains keen to acquire assets and brands in Europe and elsewhere, after it was outbid by Archer Daniels Midland Co. in the auction of Germany's Wild Flavors GmbH, which eventually sold last year for about $3.1 billion (¥385.72 billion). Ajinomoto, the creator of MSG flavoring more than 100 years ago, is less than one month into the leadership of Chief Executive Officer Takaaki Nishii, who took over from Masatoshi Ito on June 26.