Dive Brief:
- T. Hasegawa USA acquired Abelei Flavors on Sept. 3. The purchase broadened its flavor portfolio within North America, according to a press release. Financial details were not disclosed.
- “The acquisition of Abelei Flavors, Inc. expands our geographical footprint, technical capabilities and overall flavor portfolio so we can better serve our customers,” said CEO Tom Damiano.
- Abelei Flavors specializes in sweet brown, citrus, fruit and other flavors for the food, beverage, confection, dairy, health and nutrition industries. The purchase of Abelei will bring more flavor tools to the California-based company.
Dive Insight:
T. Hasegawa has been expanding its U.S. presence for years to make its portfolio more attractive to food and beverage companies.
“We couldn’t find a more perfect partner in joining the T. Hasegawa USA, Inc. team in continued growth and expansion within the US marketplace,” Shelley Henderson, vice president of operations at Abelei Flavors, said in a press release. “The collaboration of resources, talent and innovation will be a tremendous recipe for success expanding upon our existing capabilities.”
T. Hasegawa has a broad portfolio of flavor solutions that serve industries such as alcoholic beverages, bakery items and confections, botanical, seafood, dips, dressings and sauces.
The Abelei deal follows T. Hasegawa’s purchase of Mission Flavors and Fragrances in 2020, a manufacturer of custom flavors based in Foothill Ranch, California. A year later, T. Hasegawa opened a facility in Southern California dedicated to the production of sweet food and beverage flavors. The facility increased T. Hasegawa’s manufacturing capacity in the U.S. market by 50%.
With a bigger U.S. presence, the company also has deepened its leadership ranks.
Last year, T. Hasegawa expanded its R&D leadership team with the promotion of Lauren Mayberry and Toshifumi Nozawa. Both executives oversee a team of flavorists focusing on sweet food and beverage projects and formula management, among other processes.