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• Outline the specific site location, the required infrastructure to the property, the financial obligations
<br /> and funding resources to fully develop the site, and local and state incentives.
<br /> • Note the transformative effect our Morinaga success story now offers to illustrate Orange County's
<br /> efforts to diversify our local economy and tax base, to create more and better jobs for our
<br /> residents. Show how the Board of County Commissioners' commitment to preparing our Economic
<br /> Development Zones with utilities, zoning, incentives, and thoughtful use of the quarter cent sales
<br /> tax for economic development, has proven to be a winning formula for the long term. And,
<br /> highlight the public's commitment to economic development via its favorable vote on the quarter
<br /> cent sales tax.
<br /> Company Description:
<br /> • Morinaga & Co., which was founded 114 years ago in 1899 in Tokyo, Japan, is a major
<br /> international confectionary & candy maker. With $1.75 billion in global sales revenue comprised of
<br /> 53% in chocolates, caramel & biscuits, 19% in ice cream & frozen foodstuffs, 16% in health
<br /> products, and 12% in cocoa/cake mix foodstuffs, the firm is Asia's equivalent to a Hershey's, Mars
<br /> or Nestle.
<br /> • In Japan, which is the world's #2 overall largest candy and confectionary market (behind the USA),
<br /> the Company has over 40 different product lines, where it holds the #1 Japanese domestic market-
<br /> share for candy. Morinaga ranks similar to Kellogg Company in terms of retail sales.
<br /> • Among Japan's top 3 competing confectionary makers, Morinaga ranks #1 for candy & caramel
<br /> products, #2 for biscuits, and #3 for chocolate products. The chewy fruit flavored snack that holds
<br /> the #1 spot within Japan, and which the company will produce here in Orange County, is called
<br /> "HI-CHEW".
<br /> • Morinaga is aggressively marketing HI-CHEW across the United States and has successful store
<br /> displays at Target, COSTCO, 7 Eleven, and Kroger, and is found locally at the Streets at
<br /> SouthPoint Mall ("It's Sugar", "World Market").
<br /> • Additional product lines include frozen desserts (19%), foodstuffs (10%), and the internationally-
<br /> renowned Weider-brand health care products such as energy drinks, nutritional vitamin/mineral
<br /> supplements & protein bars, & collagen-based beauty products (16% of sales).
<br /> • Morinaga America, Inc., led by Mr. Masao Hoshino, was established in Los Angeles in 2008 for the
<br /> purpose of introducing the company's various product lines, starting with HI-CHEW.
<br /> • Overseas partners include serving as the trademark distributor, licensee or supplier for world-class
<br /> confectionary companies such as Disney Japan, SUNKIST Growers, PEZ, Perfetti van Melle (Italy),
<br /> Storck (Germany), Dare Foods (Canada) and Barry Callebaut AG (Switzerland).
<br /> • Management's corporate philanthropy strives to be a "company that improves the lives of children
<br /> worldwide". The firm partners with international NGOs in developing nations, and places a special
<br /> emphasis promoting healthy nutrition, and funding for school facilities and educational supplies,
<br /> especially among West African countries.
<br /> • First Japanese corporation to be affiliated with the World Cocoa Foundation (WCF), which was
<br /> established with the objective to foster a sustainable cocoa industry, and prevent the use of child
<br /> labor in developing nations. This is achieved through the environmental protection of regions where
<br /> major global chocolate corporations cultivate cocoa, and through economic and social
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