Type Public company Founded 1940 | Industry Food & Drinks Headquarters Tuen Mun, Hong Kong | |
Key people Chung (Charles) Chyi, CEO Products plant milk, tofu, beverages Stock price 0345 (HKG) HK$ 15.46 +0.02 (+0.13%)3 Apr, 4:08 PM GMT+8 - Disclaimer Subsidiaries Hong Kong Gourmet Ltd. | ||
Vitasoy (Chinese: 維他奶) (SEHK: 0345) is a brand of beverages and desserts. Founded in 1940, it now operates under the Vitasoy International Holdings Limited. Its headquarters are in Tuen Mun, New Territories, Hong Kong.
Contents
Vitasoy products were centred on the high-protein soy milk drink that the company first produced. Over the years the company expanded into a wider variety of beverages. Some of them (such as fruit juice, milk, tea, soft drinks, water, and tofu) were given the derivative brand name "Vita".
Vitaland Services Limited was founded in 1991. It specialises in the operation of the tuck shops in Hong Kong primary and secondary schools and the canteen business. "Vitasoy" also established "Hong Kong Gourmet" in 2001 to provide catering services to primary and secondary schools, and meetings.
Founder
Vitasoy was founded by Dr. Kwee Seong Lo (1910 – 1995) on March 9, 1940 in Hong Kong with door-to-door delivery of soy milk, selected as a product because many Chinese people are lactose intolerant. The company ceased operations from 1941 to 1945 during the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong. It re-emerged after the war ended.
The soy milk was first delivered to people's homes on bicycle, but then began selling through retail outlets. By 1950, with sales increasing, Vitasoy established a new factory. In 1953, it adopted a sterilization technology enabling the drinks to be stored without refrigeration. In 1975, Vitasoy became the first Hong Kong company to introduce Tetra Pak packaging technology for drinks production. This involves UHT (ultra-heat treatment) sterilisation of the product and packaging in aseptic cartons so the drink could be kept for months without refrigeration.
Vitasoy started to expand into overseas markets in the 80s and 90s. Yvonne Lo, the daughter of Dr. Kwee Seong Lo, introduced their soy milks to the U.S. in 1979. Today, its products are sold in approximately 40 markets around the world, including the Macau, Mainland China, Australia and New Zealand, the U.S., Canada, Europe, Singapore and South East Asia.
Development of other brands
In 1976, Vitasoy launched a series of juice drinks, and subsequently launched lemon tea, chrysanthemum tea and other drinks in 1978 and 1979.
In 1994, the firm established a new factory in Shenzhen City as the first Hong Kong foreign plant. Four years later, it established new factories in Shanghai and Ayer, Massachusetts in the United States. In 2001, it opened a manufacturing plant in Australia. In 2008, it acquired Unicurd Food Co. (Private) Ltd., a tofu manufacturing company in Singapore. Vitasoy’s plants in Foshan and Wuhan, Mainland China were opened in 2011 and 2016 respectively. In 2016, Vitasoy divested certain assets of its North American operation. Vitasoy USA continues its sales and distribution of Asian import beverage business in North America.
Products
Vitasoy beverages are packed in paper cartons, PET bottles, glass bottles and cans.
Vitasoy soy drinks and tofu are produced in a variety of flavours. The company also produces a range of non-soy plant milks.
Vitasoy also offers juices, coffee, teas, and water.