Kikkoman Foods expands in Wisconsin, breaks ground in Jefferson

JEFFERSON, Wis. - Wisconsin is known for many things, but did you know it is home to the world's top soy sauce production facility?

Kikkoman Foods's Walworth plant is already the largest soy sauce producer in the world, but the company is still growing in Wisconsin. It broke ground on a new facility in Jefferson on Wednesday, June 12. 

"Brewed soy sauce is a tradition of Japanese cuisine," said Yuzaburo Mogi, Kikkoman CEO and board chair. 

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The relationship between Wisconsin and the Japanese company goes back more than five decades.

"We are grateful for this great state for believing in us," Mogi said. "Our Walworth plant made history, because it was one of the first production facilities opened by a Japanese company in the United States."

Gov. Tony Evers joined Mogi and other leaders for Wednesday's groundbreaking ceremony. The new facility will produce both soy sauce and teriyaki sauce.

"If you want something made right, make it here in Wisconsin," said Evers.

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Kikkoman is investing $800 million to build the 250,000-square-foot plant. It plans to expand its brewing operations at the Walworth plant, too. The new facility is expected to create more than 80 jobs and start running in 2026.

"Envision the next generation plant that will reduce CO2 emissions by using renewable energy," Mogi said. 

"We are number one in cheese, number one in cranberries, number one in soy sauce," former Gov. Tommy Thompson said.

The expansion was made possible in part because of $15.5 million in incentives from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC).