Future Calbee products will be developed in Madera as part of a plan for Japan's largest snack maker to start an innovation hub here. Photo contributed by Calbee

A top Japanese snack company is establishing a research and development facility in the Central Valley featuring a state-of-the-art kitchen staffed with 7 researchers, able to accomodate 15.

Its task: Introduce more Asian flavor to the western snacker.

Calbee America, Inc., headquartered in the North Bay community of Fairfield, has launched a research and development innovation center in Madera near Highway 99 and Avenue 20 ½. A groundbreaking is scheduled for next week.

Calbee, Japan’s largest snack company, was founded in 1949 and expanded into the U.S. in 1970.

The new R&D center is planned to help the company grow in double digits annually by accelerating innovation and product development, according to a news release.

The  7,828 square foot facility facility will help the team bring in Asian-flavored offerings to the mainstream marketplace.

“We are so proud of the great-tasting, high-quality products that our team has brought to the North American marketplace to date and look forward to expanding our ability to innovate with a new hub here in the United States,” said Takuro Kris Tasumi, director of R&D at Calbee America. “We will explore different ingredient bases and flavors, along with improvements in texture and new snack shapes.”

It will also support the expansion of its crispy fruit snacks Harvest Snaps line as a “better-for-you” brand in the salty snack category.

The facility features a state-of-the-art kitchen and accommodates up to 15 researchers testing products ranging from tortilla and potato chips to popcorn, cereal and crackers that can be certified organic, gluten free, non-GMO and kosher.

Calbee has operated the former Warnock Food Products facility since acquiring the brand in 2019, and is now bringing in Calbee-branded products to continue its growth plans, said Paul Dash, senior vice president of manufacturing for Calbee America.