Japan-based sauces giant Mizkan Group is making a significant investment of $156m to expand its US pasta sauce plant in Owensboro, Kentucky. This expansion will create 44 new jobs and add approximately 320,000 square-feet to the existing facility, bringing the total operational space to over 970,000 square-feet.
The Owensboro plant currently produces popular brands like Ragú and Bertolli pasta products for Mizkan America. Other brands under the company’s portfolio include Holland House, Nakano, and Mizkan. The expansion project will involve incorporating new machinery, equipment, IT upgrades, and building improvements to enhance the company’s ability to meet customer needs and solidify its position as a market leader.
Mizkan’s US arm, headquartered in Mount Prospect, Illinois, operates 12 manufacturing facilities across the country catering to retail, foodservice, specialty Asian, and food ingredient trade channels. Koichi Yuki, CEO of Mizkan America, expressed enthusiasm about the project, stating that it would be transformative for the company and reinforce its commitment to providing top-quality products and challenging the industry norms.
In 2014, Mizkan acquired the Ragú and Bertolli brands from Unilever for $2.15bn, further strengthening its presence in the North American market. In fiscal 2023, the company’s North America business generated sales of Y160.7bn ($1.08bn), contributing to total sales of Y300.1bn and operating income of Y12bn. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) reached Y34.3bn.
This expansion signifies Mizkan’s dedication to continuous growth and innovation in the food and beverage industry. By investing in state-of-the-art technology and infrastructure, Mizkan aims to remain at the forefront of industry trends and meet the evolving demands of consumers in the food and drink business.
