Gota Morinaga, Representative Director, Representative Chairman, Morinaga Co. Ltd., received the 2017 ISM Award last Sunday evening at a gala dinner held in KölnSky in Cologne, Germany. As Bastian Fassin, chairman of the International Sweets and Biscuits Fair Task Force (ASIM), emphasized during the award ceremony, the prize pays tribute to exceptional services in the sweets and snacks industry.

In introducing Morinaga to the invite-only audience, Andreas Jacobs, Barry Callebaut’s executive chairman (2005 - 2016), focused attention on the Morinaga logo as well as its company philosophy, which show an angel motif with the slogan "Delicious, Fun, Healthy."

Noting that the symbol and those words have formed the foundation for the company's development since the end of the 19th century, Jacobs interjected that he would “add 'responsible' to that," accentuating the company's social commitment throughout the years. 

Morinaga, who was presented the prize by Fassin and Gerald Böse, president and ceo of Koelnmesse, was delighted in being bestowed the honor. In his thank-you speech, he stressed the significance of international trade, particularly during these times of great upheaval.  

The representative director and chairman pointed out that he has been regularly attending ISM in Cologne for more than 20 years, meeting up with trading partners from all over the world. It is through such face-to-face encounters that he and the Morinaga Co. have been able to foster trust and cooperation, which is imperative for continued and future growth, he said.

The ISM Award jury is comprised of international representatives from the industry, trade and field of science. Former winners include:

• 2014    Herman Goelitz Rowland Sr., chairman of the board, Jelly Belly Candy Co., USA
• 2015    Felix Richterich, proprietor and ceo of Ricola AG, Switzerland 
• 2016    James N. Walker, Walkers Shortbread, England