Yakult Planning U.S. Expansion

Tokyo, Japan-based Yakult Honsha Co., Ltd. plans to build its first U.S. production facility by 2012 and extend sales of its signature probiotic drink, Yakult, into other areas of the country. Due to the stable growth of the product through major retail chains such as Kroger, Safeway, SUPERVALU and Wal-Mart on the West Coast, the company has determined it will continue expanding its business to the Midwest and East Coast. Yakult U.S.A. Inc. is currently importing the beverage from Guadalajara, Mexico, the closest plant to U.S. borders. No location has been chosen for the U.S. factory.