Considerable development has also been accomplished in the international market with particular emphasis on exports to Asia where processed potatoes are now being accepted along with other Western foods. The Simplot Food Group has its own sales offices in some Asian countries and sells through trading companies in others.

The overseas expansion of McDonald's has increased Simplot's export business since a large portion of the potatoes are supplied by the Simplot Company. It is not likely that most Asian countries will grow their own processing potatoes because their land and climate are not suitable.

The Simplot food group has diversified its offerings into other areas of food products-most aimed at the foodservice market.

Although foodservice products comprise the lion's share of Simplot production and marketing, a line of MicroMagic retail items has been created and will be expanded as additional products are developed.

J. R. Simplot presently has three large potato-processing plants in Idaho located in Caldwell, Heyburn, and Aberdeen. Recently, the company has reentered the fresh-shipping business with two packing warehouses in Idaho Falls and one in Aberdeen.

The history of J. R. Simplot's potato empire has been one of steady growth with an emphasis on flexibility-the willingness to get into new areas that offer opportunities and likewise abandon enterprises that fail to show growth opportunity or profit. Company policy indicates that the future will be no different with perhaps more of the expansion taking place in the international market.