The Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. is awarding up to $15.5 million in tax credits to assist Kikkoman Foods Inc. in expanding.
The company plans to invest at least $800 million in expanding its brewing plant in Walworth. It will build a new facility in Jefferson. WEDC expects the project to create 83 new high-paying jobs over 12 years.
Kikkoman has played a vital role in the Wisconsin economy for more than half a century. In 1973, Kikkoman Foods Inc. opened in Walworth. The company transformed the area into what has now become the Kikkoman Group’s highest-producing soy sauce facility in the world.
The plant made history as one of the first production facilities built in the United States by a Japanese company. Since then, Kikkoman has forged partnerships within the local community and contributed more than $17 million to charitable causes.
In 1998, Kikkoman opened a second production facility in Folsom, California. The company spent the last several years conducting a nationwide search for the ideal location for a third manufacturing facility. It ultimately selected a 100-acre site in Jefferson, Wisconsin.
“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 Mr. Yuzaburo Mogi, honorary CEO and chairman of the board of Kikkoman Corp. “We chose Jefferson for those same reasons.”
The groundbreaking for the initial phase of the Jefferson build-out will take place in June 2024. The first shipments of soy sauce are planned for fall 2026. The Jefferson site will be a 240,000-square-foot facility that will produce soy sauce and soy sauce–related seasonings, including teriyaki sauce. The next-generation production plant will combine flexibility with production efficiency and scalability. 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.”