Product Development, Quality Control and Marketing

Stringent Quality Control Guarantees Food Safety

At Marine Foods, we source most of the raw seafood supplied to our production facility in Vietnam (MF Vietnam) and other overseas affiliates, where it is transformed into added-value products tailored to specific markets including but not limited to Japan.Plant operations and quality control processes are overseen by Marine Foods engineers.The Mie Plant in Japan boasts a traceability system that covers the main seafood materials. All products are subject to scientific testing prior to shipment by the Quality Assurance Department, including bacteriological examination, and daily test records are maintained for reference.Both the Mie Plant and Kushiro Marusui have been awarded FSSC22000 certification in line with the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), covering food safety management systems for manufacturing as well as continuous improvement across all processes.

Market-Driven Product Development Centered on the Culinary Experience

The product development process starts with the Sales Department identifying targets and product concepts based on analysis of market data, consumer preferences and other relevant information. These are then combined with the existing body of knowledge gained from years of experience creating sushi components and other delicacies.Marine Foods boasts a highly flexible approach to product development. We produce a range of own-brand products using innovative processing techniques, as well as custom-order products made to client specifications. All products are predicated on enhancing the culinary experience.In recent years, product development has pivoted toward environmental considerations and conservation of seafood resources, for instance by utilizing seafood parts previously considered unsuitable for consumption and switching to plant-based foods among other high-tech innovations.

Consumer-Driven Sales Strategies

Sales Promotions

Dedicated Teams of “Sales Promoters,” or SPMs for Short, are Tasked with Developing Ongoing Promotional Strategies Predicated on the Consumer Perspective.

They work closely with clients in line with the shared goal of delivering delicious and nutritious products into the hands of consumers.For the purpose of marketing, Japan is divided into six distinct regions, each with its own set of market-driven promotional strategies.SPM teams analyze previous Marine Foods successes and draw up marketing plans, then test and refine their plans.POS data, information about local marketing regions, and insights from local operations are used to ensure that marketing proposals accurately reflect real-world conditions.

We Work Closely with Clients in Line with theShared Goal of Supplying Delicious and Nutritious Products to Consumers.

Each of the six marketing regions has its own tailored market-driven promotional strategies.

Ongoing Promotional Strategies Predicated on the Consumer Perspective

SPM teams examine previous Marine Foods successes and draw up marketing plans, then test and refine their plans.POS data and information on the relevant marketing region is combined with insights from local operations to ensure that marketing proposals accurately reflect real-world conditions.

Social Media

Marine Foods has an Official Instagram Account that is Steadily Growing in Popularity.

Posts include quick and easy recipes that show how to use Marine Foods products to make delicious seafood meals at home, as well as behind-the-scenes product development stories, and tips and tricks for preparing seafood.

Academic Tie-Ins

Marine Foods Partners with Universities that are Active in Nutrition Science to Develop Products that Address Specific Nutritional Issues in Society, while also Generating Synergies to Promote Growth in this Important Field.

In November 2023, Marine Foods entered into a major partnership agreement with Tokyo Kasei University and its junior college, and Sojitz Foods Corporation.The initial phase includes a student-led joint initiative involving Sojitz Foods Corporation and the Human Life Support Center at Tokyo Kasei University. It is hoped that previous and future partnerships with Sojitz Group companies can be extrapolated into food education and research programs with a particular focus on meat, seafood and agricultural produce, as well as tie-ups and partnerships in production and other areas.

Key Targets of Partnerships and Tie-Ups

Education (including nutrition education) and skills training
Food and meal preparation, marketing, promotion and PR
Improving dietary habits and promoting businesses in the food industry
Joint ventures and research projects
Training and exchange programs involving students