Mizkan

The Mizkan Group Corporation
Native name
 Mitsukan (ミツカン)
Corporation
Industry Foods
Founded 1804, Handa
Headquarters Handa, Aichi Prefecture, Japan
Key people
 Matazaemon Kazuhide Nakano VIII, President
Products Vinegars, sauces, condiments
Website www.mizkan.co.jp
Mizkan Head Office (Handa, Aichi)

Mizkan (ミツカン Mitsukan) is a Japanese company that produces vinegars (including seasoned rice vinegars, balsamic vinegars, and wine vinegars), mustards, salad dressings, authentic Asian sauces, nattō, and other food products. It is based in Handa, Aichi Prefecture, near Nagoya. Its corporate motto is "Bringing Flavor to Life".

History

The company was founded in Handa in 1804 by Mr. Matazaemon Nakano, who began producing rice vinegar using byproducts from the production of sake (rice alcohol). Nakano named his company the Mitsukan Group. In the late 1970s Mitsukan expanded from Japan into the United States and began acquiring regional condiment companies. The group was officially registered as a corporate entity in July 1977. In 1995, in honour of its founder, the U.S. arm of the business changed its name to Nakano Foods, Inc. In 2004, the Mitsukan Group became The Mizkan Group Corporation, and Nakano Foods, Inc became Mizkan Americas, Inc.[1]

Present

Mizkan produce range includes: vinegars, seasoned rice vinegars, balsamic vinegars, wine vinegars, mustards, jellies, salad dressings, and authentic Asian sauces. The company's president is Matazaemon Kazuhide Nakano VIII.

In July 2012 Premier Foods sold its Sarson's vinegar, Haywards pickled onion and Dufrais vinegar brands to Mizkan for £41m as part of a streamlining programme. Also in late 2012 the Branston pickle brand was sold to Mizkan.

In May 2014, it bought the US Ragú and Bertolli pasta and sauce brands from Unilever for $2.15 billion.[2]

References

  1. ↑ History (Mizkan Americas)
  2. ↑ "Consumer goods major Unilever sells Ragu and Bertolli brands". Japan Herald. Retrieved 22 May 2014.

External links