Wisconsin is known for brewing — and since 1973 the Badger State’s been known for brewing more than just beer.
Walworth, as it turns out, is the soy sauce brewing capital of Wisconsin, the U.S. and the world.
The 51-year-old Kikkoman Foods, Inc. headquarters food production facility, set on a 188-acre site at N1365 Six Corners Rd. in the Town of Walworth, just off U.S. Hwy. 14, is the highest-producing soy sauce facility in the world, with Kikkoman shipping its product in everything from its iconic red-capped 5-ounce dispenser bottles to 20,000-gallon rail tankcars.
And now Kikkoman’s flagship facility in Walworth County is slated to be enlarged. Additionally, Kikkoman has announced plans to construct its third U.S. food production facility in neighboring Jefferson County at county seat Jefferson, further solidifying Wisconsin’s leading role as the world’s largest soy sauce producer.
Gov. Tony Evers announced April 23 that, earlier in the day, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) Board of Directors approved awarding up to $15.5 million in performance-based tax credits to assist Kikkoman Foods, Inc. in expanding its Wisconsin operations.
The company plans to invest at least $800 million in expanding its brewing plant in Walworth and building a new production facility in 7,793-resident Jefferson, moves which it expects will create 83 new high-paying jobs over 12 years.
“I’m very excited,” said Walworth County Administrator Mark Luberda of Kikkoman’s expansion plans. “I think the expansion in Walworth shows that continued commitment to the county. It (Kikkoman) is a vital portion of our county industry and a well-respected business. I think them having other local investment [in Jefferson] just shows that commitment to the region and Wisconsin. I think all in all it is tremendous news.”
Walworth Town Chairman David Rowbotham welcomed the news of Kikkoman’s planned expansion in the 1,679-resident town, the specific details of which have yet to be announced.
“They’ve been a very good neighbor for 50-plus years and the town is glad we have them,” Rowbotham said. “I’m looking forward to seeing what the plans are. I feel it could possibly be good for the community.”
The neighboring Village of Walworth serves the Kikkoman plant through its joint sanitary sewer treatment facility with the Village of Fontana, the Walworth-based Fontana/Walworth Water Pollution Control Commission (FWWPCC).
“Congratulations to Kikkoman and their officials,” Walworth Village President Louise Czaja said of the news of the planned expansion of the company’s flagship headquarters plant in the Town of Walworth.
Deep Wisconsin roots
A harmonious mixture of the five flavor profiles of sweet, sour, bitter, salty and savory, soy sauce is one of the world’s oldest seasonings and condiments, dating back more than 2,000 years.
With origins in Japan dating back nearly 20 generations and more than 350 years to 1630 in the farming community of Noda, near Tokyo, Kikkoman, officially established in December 1917, in the early 20th century began exporting its soy sauce to the U.S. In 1957, Kikkoman established an American corporation, today’s Kikkoman Sales USA, to more actively market and distribute its soy sauce to America’s retail, restaurant and food manufacturing industries, with Kikkoman being among the first Japanese companies to set up a business base in the U.S.
With U.S. demand for its soy sauce at an all-time high, Walworth-based Kikkoman Foods, Inc. was established in March 1972 as a subsidiary of Noda, Chiba, Japan-based Kikkoman Corp. to produce a wide range of soy sauces, as well as soy sauce blends and high-viscosity sauces like teriyake marinades, sauces and glazes, for the North American retail, foodservice and food manufacturing channels.
With the June 1973 opening of the Kikkoman Foods, Inc. production facility in the Town of Walworth, the company transformed farm fields into what has now become global multinational Kikkoman Corporation’s highest-producing soy sauce facility in the world. At the time of the facility’s opening, Kikkoman was one of the first Japanese companies to establish a major manufacturing plant in the U.S.
More than 200 area residents, working alongside team members from Japan, are employed at Kikkoman’s Walworth plant, which operates seven days a week.
Making over 40 different liquid and powder products, with Kikkoman Food’s current annual production has grown 30 times larger than its first year.
Although its facilities use state-of-the-art technology, Kikkoman still uses a centuries-old “Honjozo” (traditionally-brewed) process for its soy sauce, transforming local water and North American-sourced soybeans, wheat and salt into soy sauce over the period of several months. The natural brewing process creates a complex soy sauce rich in umani and more than 300 identifiable flavors and aromas.
Today employing 7,755 worldwide, Kikkoman Corp. currently operates nine overseas soy sauce production facilities worldwide.
The plant made history as one of the first production facilities built in the United States by a Japanese company. Since that time, Kikkoman has forged partnerships and friendships within the local community, celebrating shared cultural values like hard work, respect, cooperation and a commitment to excellence – and philanthropically contributing more than $17 million to charitable causes in the local community and beyond, including donations to local high schools, universities, civic organizations and community charities and support of disaster relief and environmental protection organizations nationwide.
“For decades, Wisconsin and Japan have built meaningful partnerships in business and in culture, from over $700 million every year in exports to Japan to the seven sister cities that Japan and Wisconsin share to the continued investment and growth of Kikkoman’s first U.S. brewing plant here in Wisconsin,” Evers said. “Whether it’s providing thousands of local jobs, bolstering our economy, or providing the state and world with phenomenal soy sauce, Kikkoman is doing good work across Wisconsin and the country, and I am grateful for their continued partnership and expansion in Wisconsin.”
In October 1998, Kikkoman Foods, Inc. opened a second U.S. production facility on a 52-acre site at 80,454-resident Folsom in Sacramento County, Calif. The plant employs approximately 35.
Last year, Kikkoman Foods, Inc. marked the 50th anniversary of soy sauce brewing in Wisconsin, with Evers proclaiming June 9, 2023 as Kikkoman Day in Wisconsin for the firm’s economic and charitable contributions to the state and nation over the past five decades.
As part of its 50th anniversary celebrations last year, the Kikkoman Foods, Inc. Foundation presented gifts to the University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Agricultural & Life Sciences and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Freshwater Science totaling $5 million in support of sustainable agriculture ($3 million) and freshwater studies ($2 million).
“Kikkoman is pleased to invest in a state that has become a second home to our company,” said Yuzaburo Mogi, honorary chief executive officer and chairman of the board of Kikkoman Corp., the world’s leading manufacturer of naturally-brewed soy sauce. “We believe that for a company to thrive over the long run, coexistence and co-prosperity with society, and especially the local community, are essential.”
As demand for Kikkoman® Soy Sauce and other sauces and seasonings continue to grow in North America, the company spent the last several years conducting a nationwide search to identify the ideal location for a third U.S. manufacturing facility, ultimately selecting a 100-acre site at Jefferson in neighboring Jefferson County.
“Fifty years ago, Kikkoman made history by choosing Walworth ... for its first international brewing plant,” said Missy Hughes, secretary and CEO of WEDC. “Now Kikkoman is opening a new chapter in that history by expanding its presence in Walworth and Jefferson.”
“We have always valued Walworth for its great market access, outstanding workforce, central location for raw materials, pure water, and the open-hearted spirit of partnership of the local community,” said Mogi, a global business leader and strong advocate of the international exchange of food culture. “We chose Jefferson for those same reasons, and we look forward to expanding our footprint in Wisconsin and establishing a supply chain with increased stability in North America, Kikkoman’s largest overseas market.”
Ground-breaking for the initial phase of the approximately $560 million Jefferson build-out — a 240,000 square-foot steel frame structure facility that will produce soy sauce and soy sauce–related seasonings, including teriyaki sauce — will take place in June 2024, with the first shipments of soy sauce planned for Fall 2026.
A ceremonial groundbreaking ceremony in Jefferson, 37 miles north of Walworth, is set for Wednesday, June 12.
The next-generation production plant will combine flexibility with production efficiency and scalability. In keeping with Kikkoman’s commitment to sustainability and stewardship, the facility will aim to reduce CO2 emissions by installing energy-efficient equipment and proactively using renewable energy.
“Kikkoman’s decision to invest in Jefferson underscores the strength and appeal of our local food and beverage niche,” said Jefferson Mayor Dale Oppermann. “We appreciate the trust Kikkoman has placed in our community and look forward to a long, prosperous partnership.”
In addition to the new Enterprise Zone for Kikkoman Foods, Inc., WEDC has 20 active Enterprise Zone designations throughout the state, which are expected to result in over $3.8 billion in capital investment, the retention of almost 17,000 jobs, and the creation of over 20,000 new jobs.
Under state law, the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Finance has 14 days to review the creation of a new Enterprise Zone. The zone will automatically be created unless the committee takes action.
Food and Beverage Innovation Campus
Jefferson County is using 175 acres of county-owned land to create an industrial park specifically for food and beverage manufacturers.
The park, known as the Food and Beverage (FaB) Innovation Campus, promises to bolster the local economy and further establish the county as a hub for food and beverage manufacturing.
Kikkoman is the FaB Innovation Campus’s first tenant, with its planned state-of-the-art production facility set to occupy 100.5 acres of the campus. The Kikkoman site will be served by the Union Pacific Railway.
Construction will take place in two phases.
Site preparation work for phase one is in progress and construction will begin in June on a 240,000 square-foot facility that will produce soy sauce and soy sauce–related seasonings, including teriyaki sauce. Phase two will add nearly 60,000 square feet of space.
The $560 million project will create approximately 60 high-paying jobs.
“Having a globally renowned company like Kikkoman Corporation as the anchor tenant in our Food and Beverage Innovation Campus speaks volumes about the appeal and potential of our region,” said Jefferson County Administrator Ben Wehmeier. “We’re excited to partner with Kikkoman as they embark on this transformative journey, bringing sustainable growth and development to our county.”
Kikkoman’s plant in Walworth, about 40 minutes south of Jefferson, opened in 1973 and will also expand operations.
“Kikkoman’s story in Wisconsin is one of innovation, partnership and shared success,” Oppermann said. “Their history of partnership and community engagement mirrors our own values and we are excited to welcome them to Jefferson.”
“We extend a warm welcome to Kikkoman as they join our dynamic community of businesses,” noted Tim Freitag, Jefferson’s City Administrator. “The company’s investment in Jefferson is a testament to our city’s vibrant business climate and skilled workforce.”
Food and beverage manufacturing, already a strong sector in Jefferson County, has seen significant growth in the past few years.
Palermo’s Pizza began operations in the county in 2023 and Nestle Purina expanded existing operations in 2022. Aztalan Bio is investing $500 million in a former ethanol facility in Johnson Creek.
Jefferson County’s 171.4-acre Food and Beverage Innovation Campus in the City of Jefferson is divided into four lots of 110.5, 25.9, 20.7 and 18.7 acres, bordering State Hwy. 26 Jefferson Bypass and accessed off Business State Hwy. 26.
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Gov. Tony Evers announced April 24 that the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) Board of Directors approved awarding up to $15.5 million in performance-based tax credits to assist Walworth-based Kikkoman Foods Inc. in expanding its Wisconsin operations. The company, a subsidiary of Noda, Chiba, Japan-based Kikkoman Corp., the world's leading manufacturer of naturally-brewed soy sauce, plans to invest at least $800 million in expanding its headquarters Walworth County production facility at N1365 Six Corners Rd. in the Town of Walworth (pictured), and building a companion production facility at county seat Jefferson in neighboring Jefferson County, moves which it expects will create 83 new high-paying jobs over 12 years.
Walworth-based Kikkoman Foods, Inc. recently announced plans to build a 240,000 square-foot food manufacturing facility for the production of soy sauce and soy sauce–related seasonings, including teriyaki sauce, on a 100-acre site at county seat Jefferson in neighboring Jefferson County. Ground-breaking will take place in June 2024, with the first shipments of soy sauce from the new facility planned for Fall 2026. Gov. Tony Evers announced April 23 that the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) Board of Directors approved awarding up to $15.5 million in performance-based tax credits to assist Kikkoman Foods Inc. in expanding its Wisconsin operations. The company plans to invest at least $800 million in expanding its flagship headquarters soy sauce facility in the Town of Walworth and its planned new new production facility in 7,793-resident Jefferson, moves which it expects will create 83 new high-paying jobs over 12 years.
Jefferson County is using 171.4 acres of county-owned land in the City of Jefferson to create an industrial park specifically for food and beverage manufacturers (blue shaded area). The park, known as the Food and Beverage (FaB) Innovation Campus, promises to bolster the local economy and further establish Jefferson County as a hub for food and beverage manufacturing. Walworth-based Kikkoman Foods, Inc. is the FaB Innovation Campus's first tennant, set to occupy a 100.5-acre site served by the Union Pacific Railway. The Food and Beverage Innovation Campus is divided into four lots of 110.5, 25.9, 20.7 and 18.7 acres, bordering State Hwy. 26 Jefferson Bypass and accessed off Business State Hwy. 26.
Marking the celebratory 50th anniversary of Wisconsin soy sauce brewing operations in Walworth by Kikkoman Foods, Inc., Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (left) on June 9, 2023 presented an official proclamation of “Kikkoman Day” in Wisconsin to Yuzaburo Mogi, honorary chair and chief executive officer of Noda, Chiba, Japan-based Kikkoman Corp. and Walworth-based Kikkoman Foods, Inc. Kikkoman’s Walworth plant, which began operations in June 1973, is the highest-producing soy sauce production facility in the world, shipping its products in containers ranging from its iconic red-capped, teardrop-shaped 5 ounce dispenser bottles to 20,000-gallon rail tankers. The Walworth plant employs more than 200, operating seven days a week. The proclamation presentation at the Grand Geneva Resort Conference Center in Lake Geneva came during the 2023 Wisconsin-U.S.-Japan Economic Development Conference, sponsored by Kikkoman Foods, Inc., the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. The theme of the 2023 conference was “Achieving Sustainable Global Economic Growth in an Era of Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Volatility.”
The company's iconic 5-ounce bottles of soy sauce travel along the bottling line at Kikkoman Foods' flagship headquarters food production plant in the Town of Walworth.
With U.S. demand for its soy sauce at an all-time high, Walworth-based Kikkoman Foods, Inc. was established in March 1972 as a subsidiary of Noda, Chiba, Japan-based Kikkoman Corp. to produce a wide range of soy sauces, as well as soy sauce blends and high-viscosity sauces like teriyake marinades, sauces and glazes for the North American retail, foodservice and food manufacturing channels. Kikkoman Foods opened its flagship headquarters production facility in June 1973 on a 188-acre site at N1365 Six Corners Rd. in the Town of Walworth. Today more than 200 area residents, working alongside team members from Japan, are employed at Kikkoman's Walworth plant, which operates seven days a week.
Town of Walworth-based Kikkoman Foods, Inc. produces a wide range of soy sauces, as well as soy sauce blends and high-viscosity sauces like teriyake marinades, sauces and glazes, for the North American retail, foodservice and food manufacturing channels. A selection of Kikkoman-branded consumer products is displayed in the company's flagship headquarters plant.
Plastic five gallon pails of Kikkoman-branded soy sauce are readied for shipment at the flagship headquarters Kikkoman Foods, Inc. plant in the Town of Walworth. Among the first Japanese companies to set up a business base in the U.S., Noda, Chiba, Japan-based Kikkoman Corp. established Walworth-based subsidiart Kikkoman Foods, Inc. in March 1972. Opened in June 1973, Kikkoman's Walworth County plant produces a wide range of soy sauces, as well as soy sauce blends and high-viscosity sauces like teriyake marinades, sauces and glazes, for the North American retail, foodservice and food manufacturing channels.
Quality control sampling at Kikkoman Foods' flagship headquarters plant in the Town of Walworth. Although its facilities use state-of-the-art technology, Kikkoman still uses a centuries-old traditional brewing process, which transforms local water and North American-sources soybeans, wheat and salt into soy sauce over the period of several months. The natural brewing process creates a complex soy sauce rich in umani and more than 300 identifiable flavors and aromas.
Although its facilities use state-of-the-art technology, Kikkoman Foods, Inc. still uses a centuries-old traditional brewing process at its Town of Walworth heaquarters manufacturing plant, transforming local water and North American-sourced soybeans, wheat and salt into soy sauce over the period of several months. The natural brewing process creates a complex soy sauce rich in umani and more than 300 identifiable flavors and aromas. Today employing 7,755 worldwide, including more than 200 in Walworth County, Kikkoman Corp. currently operates nine overseas soy sauce production facilities worldwide.