Asahi To Launch 6 Products Co-Developed With Calpis

TOKYO (Nikkei)--Asahi Group Holdings Ltd. (2502) said Tuesday that it will begin sales next month of four candies and two soft drinks developed with subsidiary Calpis Co.

These offerings will be the first collaboration between the two firms to bear fruit since Asahi acquired Calpis in October. Combined sales of 3.5 billion yen are targeted for the new products in the first year.

Making the most of Calpis' highly popular lactic acid beverage of the same name, the new products feature the Calpis brand and incorporate the drink's flavor.

Asahi aims to lift sales at its beverage operations by at least 10% a year from 2013 to 2015. Strengthening sales of Calpis brand beverages will be key to achieving this goal. The parent company also plans to integrate procurement and distribution channels with Calpis.

Asahi is also looking to expand its beverage business in China, Indonesia and Thailand by leveraging the Calpis drinks, according to Director Shiro Ikeda.

"We receive many inquiries about the Calpis brand overseas," Ikeda said Tuesday in a news conference.

(The Nikkei, Feb. 20 morning edition)

• 
• 
•