The announcement could lead to more major changes for one of the worlds largest producers and marketers of high-quality fresh fruit and fresh vegetables, which sold its packaged foods and Asia fresh business for $1.69 billion in April.
The combination is a natural next step given the successful long-term partnership between AB InBev and Grupo Modelo, which started more than 20 years ago.
The similarities between Inkiru and @WalmartLabs are said to be uncanny, with both having an innovative spirit and the ability to leverage big data to improve the customer experience.
The goal of the center is to advance healthcare by catalyzing collaborations in science and technology between regional innovators and the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies across a diverse spectrum of early stage innovation.
California-based Circle Foods has been in business for 25 years and is known for branded products that include Nuevo Grille and Tortillaland handheld Mexican products.
The new facility, which will employ approximately 180 people, will serve as a national production and distribution center for Muller yogurt, which launched in select regional markets in 2012.
The appointment comes at a time when PepsiCo's underperforming beverage unit has been under scrutiny, with Wall Street chattering about the possibility of a spinoff of the unit to focus on its faster-growing snacks.
