Mizkan is to invest £17m into the expansion of its UK operations to cater to increased demand for Japanese vinegar products across Europe.
Mizkan manufactures both Japanese vinegar products and Sarson’s vinegar at its primary production site in Middleton, Rochdale.
Through the investment, Mizkan will create additional facilities for NPD and innovation across a range of premium and Japanese vinegars for retail and foodservice sectors.
The investment will also support multiple initiatives including opportunities for upskilling and facility refurbishment.
Mizkan has partnered with Centre of Expertise in Advanced Materials & Sustainability (CEAMS) and the University of Manchester on the expansion of its facility.
The collaboration through CEAMS operates as a Knowledge Transfer Partnership, providing Mizkan access to specialist expertise in sustainability materials and engineering.
The announcement underscored the company’s commitment to Greater Manchester as a key hub for its European operations and coincided with mayor Andy Burnham’s week-long trade mission to EXPO 2025 Osaka with an eye to strengthen ties with Japan, Mizkan added.
Manchester will host Japan Week 2025 in September with Mizkan as headline sponsor, marking the 50th anniversary of the international cultural festival.
“Mizkan is excited to be investing in the future of our long-established Middleton factory, developing our people and equipping ourselves for innovation and growth, particularly within premium and Japanese vinegars,” said Mizkan UK CEO Chikara Tanaka.
This was “excellent news for Greater Manchester”, Burnham said.
“The creation of high-skilled jobs and expansion of their Middleton facility demonstrate exactly the type of advanced manufacturing growth we want to see.”
“This investment, announced as we embark on our trade mission to Japan, shows the strength of our relationships with Japanese businesses and will create opportunities for people in Greater Manchester,” Burnham added.
If you’ve got a fantastic new product or packaging innovation, we want to hear about it! The Grocer New Product & Packaging Awards 2025 deadline has been extended! You now have until Monday 23 June to submit your entries. Visit this link to enter, buy tickets or enquire about sponsorship opportunities.
No comments yet