History of

East Asia

1967

Launch of Pretz sales in Hong Kong

After a Hong Kong market test of Butter -flavored Pretz returned positive results, Ezaki Glico carried out a full-scale launch of Pretz, followed by Pocky.
Launch of Pretz sales in Hong Kong
1967

Pretz sales in Hong Kong

Pretz sales in Hong Kong

Chinese economic growth draws attention

As China entered the 1990s, the country’s policy of reform and opening took hold in earnest. Its economy grew rapidly, drawing attention to China as a major market of the future. Ezaki Glico moved quickly to evaluate entry into the Chinese market. President EZAKI Katsuhisa himself searched actively for opportunities to enter the market, personally visiting various regions of China.
1995

Start of full-scale entry into China

In 1995, Ezaki Glico entered into an equity participation in two joint venture companies operating in Shanghai and Qingdao, respectively. These companies were originally formed by Nissin Seika Co., Ltd. and a Chinese enterprise. After the equity participation, Ezaki Glico became the largest investor in the ventures, and proceeded to change their respective names to Shanghai Glico Nissin Foods Co., Ltd., and Qingdao Glico Nissin Foods Co., Ltd. A biscuit production facility was first repurposed to produce Saien vegetable crackers. Ezaki Glico subsequently invested in ovens, chocolate production, and other facilities, and began introducing a range of new products to the Chinese market.
Management participation in food manufacturers in Shanghai and Qingdao  September 1995

Chinese-character product names

Product names such as Pretz (百力滋) and Pocky (百奇) resemble the original Japanese names, and are rendered in Chinese characters that are easily understood and familiar to the average person.
1999-2000

Launch of Pocky and Pretz in China

Pocky and Pretz were launched in Shanghai in 1999 and 2000, respectively.
[写真左]ポッキー(百奇) 1999年[写真右]プリッツ(百力滋) 2000年

Principal products at the time of Ezaki Glico entry into China

[Left]Saien vegetable crackers [Upper Middle]Pejoy [Upper Right]Collon [Lower Left]Kittyland [Lower Right]Sinky
2001

Company name changed to Shanghai Ezaki Glico Foods Co., Ltd.

In 1998, Ezaki Glico bought out Nissin Seika’s share in the joint ventures, and subsequently changed their names to Shanghai Glico Foods Co., Ltd. and Qingdao Glico Foods Co., Ltd. respectively. Then, in 1999, Shanghai Glico Foods Co., Ltd. became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ezaki Glico. Two years later, in 2001, the company name was changed to Shanghai Ezaki Glico Foods Co., Ltd. It was from around this time that Ezaki Glico began consolidating its operations in China in Shanghai, which was a large market. In 2006, the Qingdao company was liquidated.
2003

Opening of sales offices in 10 major Chinese cities

Shanghai Ezaki Glico opened sales offices in 10 Chinese cities, including Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Nanjing, and Beijing, initiating a major expansion of its sales activities in China.
2005-2008

Expansion of production capacity at Shanghai Ezaki Glico

In 2005, to boost production capacity to match its business expansion, Shanghai Ezaki Glico built the No. 2 Factory in the Minhang District, not far from the No. 1 Factory. Furthermore, in 2006, Shanghai Ezaki Glico established Shanghai Ezaki Glico Nanfeng Foods Co., Ltd. as a production subsidiary in the Fengxian District, and completed the No. 3 Factory in 2008.
Completion of Shanghai Ezaki Glico No. 2 Factory, September 2005月

Expanding the Chinese market

During the 2010s, to achieve further brand penetration throughout China, the company expanded its marketing activities from core to regional cities, and from coastal to inland areas.
2011

Launch of Glico-Haitai Co., Ltd., a Korean joint venture

Ezaki Glico established a joint venture with Korean confectionery manufacturer HAITAI Confectionery & Foods Co., Ltd. in 2011, and in 2013, the joint venture began production and sales of Pocky in supermarkets and convenience stores throughout South Korea.
Joint venture signing ceremony with HAITAI Confectionery March 9, 2011
2016

Shanghai Ezaki Glico opens outlet in Alibaba Group shopping mall

To expand its China e-commerce business, Ezaki Glico launched a flagship store in Alibaba Group's Taobao Mall (today’s Tmall), one of the world’s largest online shopping platforms. Furthermore, in 2019, Ezaki Glico entered into a strategic partnership with Alibaba Group.
2020

Launch of Glico Taiwan Co., Ltd.

For many years, Ezaki Glico exported its products to sales representatives in Taiwan. To promote the company’s Taiwan business actively into the future, Ezaki Glico established a wholly-owned local sales subsidiary in 2020.

Pocky in Taiwan

Pocky in Taiwan
2021

Shanghai Ezaki Glico begins sales of Almond Koka through e-commerce channels

As part of the global expansion of its health business, the company launched Almond Koka in China, where the populace is increasingly health-conscious.
Shanghai Ezaki Glico begins sales of Almond Koka through e-commerce channels
2021-2022

Shanghai Ezaki Glico launches Bisco in China

Pre-sales of Bisco, which supports children’s healthy daily lives, were launched through e-commerce channels in 2021, with full-scale sales through general retail channels the following year.

Bisco on sale at Shanghai Ezaki Glico

Bisco on sale at Shanghai Ezaki Glico