Mizkan, Japan’s leading vinegar manufacturer based in Middleton, Rochdale, has announced a £17 million investment to expand its UK operations in response to growing demand for Japanese vinegar across the UK and Europe.
The company, which also owns the Sarson’s vinegar brand, produces both Japanese and Sarson’s vinegar at its main Middleton facility. The new investment will support facility expansion and refurbishment, employee upskilling, and the launch of new product development initiatives.
This move reinforces Mizkan’s long-term commitment to Rochdale as a central hub for its European operations. New facilities will be established to support innovation in premium and Japanese vinegars for both retail and food service sectors.
The announcement coincides with a senior Greater Manchester delegation’s trade mission to Japan, including Mayor Andy Burnham, who is attending EXPO 2025 in Osaka. The visit follows last year’s declaration to make Japan a strategic focus for diplomatic, cultural, civic, and business ties in 2025.
Manchester will also host Japan Week 2025 in September, with Mizkan as headline sponsor, marking the 50th anniversary of the international cultural festival.
Mizkan’s expansion will continue its partnership with the Centre of Expertise in Advanced Materials and Sustainability (CEAMS) and the University of Manchester. This Knowledge Transfer Partnership provides access to expertise in sustainable materials and engineering.
Chikara Tanaka, Mizkan UK CEO, said:
“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.”
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said:
“Mizkan’s £17 million investment is excellent news for Greater Manchester and shows the confidence this iconic Japanese brand has in our city-region. The creation of high-skilled jobs and expansion of their Middleton facility demonstrate exactly the type of advanced manufacturing growth we want to see.
Having visited their site earlier this month and meeting with Mizkan’s president in Tokyo in 2023, I’ve seen first-hand the quality of their operations and their commitment to innovation through partnerships with our universities.
The investment, announced during our trade mission to Japan, perfectly demonstrates the strength of our growing relationship with Japanese businesses and the opportunities this creates for our people and places.”
Cllr Neil Emmott, Leader of Rochdale Borough Council, said:
“This landmark investment by Mizkan is a fantastic vote of confidence in Middleton and a clear sign of the borough’s growing reputation as a hub for advanced manufacturing and international business.
Mizkan’s expansion will bring real benefits to our local economy including high-quality jobs innovation partnerships. We’re delighted to support their continued growth in Middleton as we build a future rooted in global co-operation and collaboration, opportunity and skills.”
Joe Manning, Managing Director at MIDAS, said:
“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.
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.”