Ajinomoto Foods Receives Spotlight Award
The Chamber of Commerce presented the Business Spotlight Award to Ajinomoto Foods last Thursday. Attending the presentation were (from left) Chamber President Nell Jobe, board member Terry Champion, Terry McMinn, Chamber Manager Zandra Walker, Margaret Ward, Tom Eckenrode, board member Clay Ashford, ambassador Virginia Wood, Ajinomoto General Manager James Wilson, ambassador Sarah Nell Champion, Cindy Sims, board member Linda White, Dennis May, and board member Chuck Upchurch.
OAKLAND – The Water Valley Area Chamber of Commerce recently selected Ajinomoto Foods North America, Inc., as a recipient of their Business Spotlight Award. The company is celebrating its 10th anniversary in Yalobusha County and has supported the Chamber and Yalobusha County in a variety of ways, especially through their Chamber membership, sponsorships, as well as a very helpful presence in assisting with the annual MBN-BBQ Cooking Contest during the Watermelon Carnival.
Chamber President Nell Jobe presented James Wilson, General Manager of Operations, with a framed certificate in recognition of the award. The company also received a special banner signifying congratulations for their 10-year anniversary from some of the Chamber Board Members, the Chamber Manager, and several Water Valley Ambassadors. Oakland Mayor James Swearengen also attended the ceremony.
Wilson provided a very informative video presentation about the company, located in Oakland, and then offered an array of tasty Ajinomoto foods for the group to sample. He also shared the history of this fast-growing company starting when Windsor Foods purchased the former beef plant in 2008 and transformed it into a frozen food manufacturing plant.
Wilson also shared that in 2014 Ajinomoto and Windsor Foods merged to become Ajinomoto Foods North America.
“Our Oakland, Miss. plant is a 204,000 square-foot facility which manufactures high quality egg rolls, burritos/chimichangas, mini tacos / enchiladas and various fried rice products through Innovation utilizing our Research and Development; Engineering, Continuous Improvement departments; and Collaboration with the state, Yalobusha County, and our suppliers,” Wilson reported.
“With change comes great opportunity and to make us successful we have to continue to develop our most valuable asset, our employees. We appreciate the efforts they make and their growth within our company,” he added. “We are equally responsible to the environment and our communities, we have a commitment to provide a safe and enjoyable place for families to have for many years to come. Our Company Mission is “Deliver the Wow!” We do this to our consumers in the products we produce, to our employees through continual development, and to our environment by community services. This award affirms our efforts and exemplifies Delivering the Wow! Thank you for this recognition it is greatly appreciated.”
Gift Card Will Be Awarded
In honor of this Ajinomoto Foods North America Business Spotlight award, the Water Valley Area Chamber of Commerce is offering a $25 VISA card to be awarded to the person whose name is drawn at noon on Friday, October 12. Everyone is encouraged to participate in this drawing, and you have “10 days and two ways” to register between October 3 and noon on October 12.
You may stop by the Water Valley Area Chamber of Commerce any time during regular business hours to register or you may register on the Chamber’s Facebook page.
For Facebook, go to: Water Valley Area Chamber of Commerce, and find the post called “Win a $25 VISA Card.” Then, type a COMMENT stating the full DATE you think operations began for this company in Oakland. A correct answer is not required to win, but you MUST give an answer to be included.
(Note: “LIKES” only will not be included in the drawing.)
Both types of ballots will be collected and combined, one per person; and the winner will be called OR notified on FaceBook. The winner’s name and photograph will be published in the following edition of the North Mississippi Herald.
If your name is chosen as the winner, the Chamber encourages you to consider trying their Ajinomoto Foods North America products, including egg rolls, burritos/chimichangas, mini tacos/enchiladas, and various fried rice products. Look for Jose Ole, TAI PEI, and Ling Ling brands.
