The Vitasoy History
The Vitasoy story began in 1940 in China with a big idea and a little mighty bean. The bean was soy, the main source of protein for the Chinese people for over 4,000 years.
The big idea - the brainchild of Dr K.S. Lo was bringing a nutritious drink made from this healthy little bean to a wider market. And so Vitasoy was born: a nutritious, high-protein soy drink that was sold at an affordable price to the people of Hong Kong who were suffering after the World Wars. At first, Vitasoy was delivered fresh to people's homes on bicycle, later Dr Lo began selling his soy bean milk through retail outlets and, by 1950, sales had grown to such an extent that a new factory had to be built to meet demands.
In 1953, the Group started to adopt sterilization technology in the manufacture of Vitasoy soy drinks. This enabled the drinks to be stored without refrigeration, and thus expanded the distribution and revolutionized the business.
In 1975, Vitasoy introduced paper packed products and were the first Hong Kong Company to introduce Tetra Pak packaging technology for drinks production. The Tetra Pak packaging system, which involves UHT (Ultra High Temperature) treatment of the product and packaging in aseptic cartons, ensures that a drink product can be kept for months without refrigeration.
In 1978, VITA teas and juices were launched and grew in popularity as more flavors rolled out and is now one of the most popular teas in Hong Kong.
Dr. K.S. Lo retires in 1978 and handed over leadership to his son Winston Lo.
Vitasoy becomes a household name and, by the late 1970's and early 80's, there was no looking back as the Group pushed into overseas markets including Australia, North America, and Southeast Asia.
Vitasoy USA was Born
In 1979, Dr. Lo’s daughter, Yvonne Lo, introduced Vitasoy’s soy milks to the U.S. market, selling store-to-store in San Francisco’s Chinatown. Vitasoy USA quickly became the market leader in Chinese groceries. In 1985, Vitasoy USA formulates an all-natural soymilk made from organic soybeans for the mainstream US and Canadian consumer.
To meet the diverse needs of consumers in different markets, Vitasoy USA acquired Nasoya Foods of Leominster, MA in 1990, offering fresh Asian style noodles and wraps as well as organic and all natural tofu and soy spreads.
In 1993, Vitasoy USA, Inc. purchased Azumaya, Inc. a well established tofu and Asian-style noodle company located on the West Coast. The Azumaya brand was originally established in 1969 by the Mizono family in San Francisco. The acquisition was made to broaden the assortment of products offered by Vitasoy USA Inc.
In 1993 Vitasoy San Sui tofu was sold, bringing authentic Asian tofu to Chinese groceries in the US and Canada.
In 1998, Vitasoy USA opened a state-of-the-art tofu processing facility in Ayer, MA and in 2001 became the corporate headquarters.
Vitasoy USA’s environmental initiatives include the recycling of approximately 80 tons of corrugated cardboard per year. It also pre-treats more than 34.6 million gallons of waste water annually. In addition, more than 3.4 million pounds of the company’s unused soy, called “okara”, is reused as animal feed by local farmers every year.
Now a listed company (0345HK) on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong with plants located in Hong Kong, Mainland China, Australia, the US and Singapore, Vitasoy International Holdings Limited is a dynamic, international organization setting new standards of quality and innovation wherever its products are sold.
Vitasoy USA Inc., the soyfoods pioneer, committed to making delicious, innovative foods that promote health and well being. Look for the company’s premium tofu, Asian noodles, fresh pasta wraps, vegan sandwich spreads, soymilks, juices and teas under the brand names Nasoya® and Azumaya®, Vitasoy®, San Sui® and Vita®. For more information on Vitasoy International Holdings Limited, visit www.vitasoy.com.