Windsor Foods markets its products under such brands as Tai Pei, Ling Ling, Jose Ole, Bernardi and Fred’s.

 

FORT LEE, N.J. — Ajinomoto North America, Inc. has entered into an agreement to acquire Windsor Quality Holdings L.P., a manufacturer of Asian/ethnic frozen foods, for approximately $800 million.

In fiscal 2013, Windsor Foods had sales of $630 million and the company employs 1,700. The company has seven manufacturing plants throughout the United States and markets its products under such brands as Tai Pei, Ling Ling, Jose Ole, Bernardi and Fred’s.

“With this acquisition, Ajinomoto Co. aims to become the clear No. 1 manufacturer of Asian/ethnic food products in the surging Asian category of the North American frozen food market,” the company said in a statement. “By using Windsor’s strong distribution network, Ajinomoto Co. plans to increase sales of Gyoza (pot stickers), noodle and rice products, that are specialties to the company, in U.S. retail channels and to strengthen its sales platform in food service channels.”

Ajinomoto established its own frozen food business in the United States in 2000. That business has approximately $130 million in annual sales. It manufactures and distributes such products as pot stickers, noodles and rice.

The acquisition is scheduled to be completed by November, and Ajinomoto said it plans to retain Windsor Foods’ “current management structure” after that transaction is complete.