Japanese firm Mizkan, which also owns Haywards and Branston, is investing in the facility in Middleton, Rochdale, in order to meet the growing demand for Japanese vinegar products across the UK and European markets.
Mizkan manufactures both Japanese vinegar products and Sarson’s vinegar at its primary production site in Middleton, with the investment set to support opportunities for upskilling, facility expansion and refurbishment, and the launch of new product development projects.
The investment coincides with a trade mission to Osaka by a senior Greater Manchester delegation that features mayor Andy Burnham.
“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,” commented the CEO of Mizkan UK Chikara Tanaka.
Burnham welcomed the news, which he described as excellent news for Greater Manchester.
“Mizkan’s £17 million investment shows the confidence this iconic Japanese brand has in our city-region,” he 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.
“I visited their site earlier this month and met with Mizkan’s president on our previous mission to Japan, in 2023. It was fantastic to hear about their commitment to Greater Manchester and their innovation partnerships with our universities.
“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.”
Manchester’s inward investment agency, MIDAS, also greeted the investment in the region by Mizkan.
“Mizkan’s significant investment in their Middleton operations highlights how Greater Manchester continues to attract major expansion projects from established international companies in the advanced manufacturing sector, particularly in the borough of Rochdale,” said Joe Manning, managing director at MIDAS.
“Greater Manchester has been strengthening its relationship with Japan for a number of years, with over 25 Japanese businesses now choosing our city-region as their UK base across multiple sectors.
“We look forward to seeing these plans come to life, demonstrating why Greater Manchester is the ideal location for international businesses looking to grow their European operations.”
