Expanded U.S. capacity Morinaga America recently opened a second HI-CHEW manufacturing facility in Mebane, North Carolina, with a $136 million investment and added 204 jobs. This signals strong growth in U.S. production capacity, presenting opportunities to secure greater wholesale, distributor, and retailer partnerships to support ramped-up supply.

Growing workforce The company announced a headcount increase of 204 in 2026, indicating aggressive expansion and increased demand. This opens potential for onboarding logistics, staffing services, and seasonal support solutions to sustain supply chain, warehousing, and distribution needs for retailers and contract manufacturers.

North Carolina focus With new manufacturing facilities in Mebane and historical NC presence, there is a regional emphasis in the Southeast. Sales opportunities exist in nearby retailers, club stores, and foodservice channels looking to leverage local production for faster replenishment and fresher inventory.

US market momentum The expansion aligns with plans to increase HI-CHEW production capacity in the U.S. by 2027, signaling favorable market demand and supply reliability. This presents upsell possibilities to retailers seeking consistent SKU availability and potential line extensions or co-packing collaborations.

Digital & distribution readiness Existing tech stack includes WordPress, MySQL, Zendesk and ADP, indicating established e-commerce, CRM, and HR/payroll infrastructure. This suggests readiness for enhanced digital partnerships, targeted account-based selling, and streamlined onboarding for new distributors and retailers.