Glico facts for kids
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Headquarters in Nishiyodogawa-ku, Osaka
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Native name
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江崎グリコ株式会社
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Romanized name
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Ezaki Guriko Kabushiki-gaisha |
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| Traded as | TYO: 2206 |
| Industry | Food manufacturing |
| Founded | Nishi-ku, Osaka, Japan (11 February 1922) |
| Founder | Riichi Ezaki (江崎 利一, Ezaki Riichi) |
| Headquarters |
Nishiyodogawa-ku, Osaka
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Japan
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Key people
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Katsuhisa Ezaki(businessman) (chairman) Etsuro Ezaki (President and CEO) |
| Products | Confectioneries, ice cream products, processed food |
| Revenue |  ¥338,437 millionUS$3,003,531 thousand (112.68 yen/US dollar, March 2016) |
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Operating income
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¥17,110 million US$151,850 thousand (112.68 yen/US dollar, March 2016) |
 ¥14,364 millionUS$127,478 thousand (112.68 yen/US dollar, March 2016) |
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| Total assets | ¥274,974 million US$2,440,311 thousand (112.68 yen/US dollar, March 2016) |
| Total equity | ¥179,151 million US$1,589,917 thousand (112.68 yen/US dollar, March 2016) |
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Number of employees
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4,961 (consolidated, March 2016) |
| Parent | Mondelez International |
| Subsidiaries | Glico Nutrition Co., Ltd. Icreo Co., Ltd. and others |
Ezaki Glico Co., Ltd. (江崎グリコ株式会社, Ezaki Guriko Kabushiki-gaisha), often called Glico, is a big Japanese food company. Its main office is in Osaka, Japan. Glico sells its products in over 30 countries. You can find their snacks and foods in North America, Asia-Pacific, and Europe.
Contents
About Glico: What They Make
Ezaki Glico is famous for making many tasty treats. They produce confectionery items like chocolate, chips, chewing gums, and ice cream. They also make dairy products.
Besides sweets, Glico creates processed foods. These include things like curry mixes and special rice dishes in pouches. They also make dietary supplements to help people stay healthy.
Glico's Main Goals
Glico has had several important messages over the years. These messages show what the company cares about:
- "300 meters per piece" (1922–1996): This old slogan referred to a Glico caramel. It meant one piece gave enough energy to run 300 meters! It's still on some caramel packages.
- "Good Taste and Good Health" (1971–1992): This message focused on both yummy food and well-being.
- "A Wholesome Life in the Best of Taste" (1992–2022): This continued the idea of enjoying good food for a healthy life.
- "Healthier Days, Well Being for life" (2022–present): Glico's newest message is about helping people live healthier and happier lives.
Glico's History
How Glico Started in Japan
In 1919, a man named Riichi Ezaki had a great idea. He made a caramel candy using glycogen from oysters. He called this candy "Cuchieco." The candy was special because it gave people energy.
Riichi started selling his Glico products on February 11, 1922. He sold them at a famous store called Mitsukoshi in Osaka. Later that year, he officially started his company, Ezaki Glico Co., Ltd. The name "Glico" is a shorter version of "glycogen."
During World War II, Glico's factories in Osaka and Tokyo were damaged. But they were rebuilt and reopened in 1951. After that, Glico created some of its most popular snacks. Pretz came out in 1963, and Pocky followed in 1966. These snacks are still loved by many people today!
A Challenging Time
In 1984, Glico faced a very difficult period. The company was targeted by a group of criminals. This event is known as the Glico Morinaga case. The criminals tried to cause trouble for Glico and other food companies.
Glico's president, Katsuhisa Ezaki, was briefly taken but managed to escape. The criminals also tried to harm Glico's business. Despite these challenges, Glico worked hard to overcome this tough time. The company showed great strength and continued to make its popular products.
Glico's Products
Ezaki Glico makes a huge variety of products. Here are some of their most famous ones:
Sweet Snacks and Candies
- Glico Caramel: This is the original caramel candy that started it all. It comes in classic, caramel, and almond flavors.
- Pocky: These are thin pretzel sticks covered in chocolate. Pocky comes in many different flavors, not just chocolate! Over 10 billion packages have been sold since 1966. In Europe, you might know them as "Mikado."
- Pretz: Like Pocky, these are pretzel sticks, but they come in savory flavors instead of sweet ones.
- Almond Chocolate: Delicious almonds covered in smooth chocolate.
- Caplico: These are waffle biscuits shaped like ice cream cones. They are dipped in chocolate or strawberry frosting.
- Bisco: These are wheat germ crackers with a creamy yogurt filling. They are made with a special yeast.
- BREO: This is a special candy made to help clean your tongue and freshen your breath.
Dairy and Pudding
- Pucchin Pudding: This is one of the world's best-selling pudding products. It has a special package that makes it easy to slide the pudding onto a plate.
Ice Cream Treats
- Giant Cone: A big ice cream cone with crunchy chocolate and nuts on top.
- Panapp: Vanilla ice cream in a long cup with fruit sauce in the middle.
- Papico: A refreshing sherbet that comes in a tube.
- Ice no Mi (アイスの実): These are small, round ice candies, perfect for a bite-sized cool treat. Glico once promoted them with a realistic computer-generated character named Aimi Eguchi.
- Calorie Control Ice Cream: This ice cream series uses special sweeteners to have fewer calories. Some even use Tofu instead of dairy to make them lighter.
- Seventeen Ice: You can find this ice cream brand in special vending machines. It comes in over 20 different flavors!
Cooked Foods
- Ni-dan Juku Curry: This is a cubed Japanese-style curry mix that makes it easy to cook delicious curry at home.
- Donburi-tei: These are instant donburi (rice bowl) meals that come in a convenient pouch.
- Cream Stew Roux: A mix to help you make creamy stew.
Baby Formula
- ICREO Balance Milk: This is a powdered baby formula made by Glico's company, Icreo Co., Ltd.
Glico's Advertisements
Glico is famous for its huge LED sign in Dōtonbori, Osaka. This sign has been a landmark since 1935. It shows the Glico running man on a blue track, with famous Osaka sights in the background.
The sign has changed over the years to celebrate big events, like the FIFA World Cup. It also cheers on Osaka's baseball team, the Hanshin Tigers. Because the sign is so well-known, it's a popular spot for tourists and locals to take photos.
Glico also sponsored the Japanese cartoon series Tetsujin 28 (1963–1966). This show was later known as Gigantor in other countries.
See also
- Aimi Eguchi, a computer-generated pop idol created by Glico
- Pocky & Pretz Day, a special day on November 11 each year
- Dōtonbori, the famous area in Osaka where the Glico sign is located
