Kikkoman Foods, Inc. celebrates new Jefferson facility, decades of partnership in Wisconsin

Kikkoman Foods, Inc. celebrated the grand opening of its new Jefferson, Wisconsin, production facility on Sept. 18, marking the company’s latest investment in a state it has called home for more than 50 years.

Kikkoman leaders were joined by Wisconsin and Japanese government officials, business leaders and community partners for the ceremony. UW–Madison was represented by interim Chancellor Eric Wilcots, CALS Interim Dean Troy Runge and Office of Business Engagement Managing Director John Garnetti.

Eric Wilcots stands in a colorful Kikkoman display, holding his hands in the shape of a “W,” with the Kikkoman logo above him.
UW–Madison interim Chancellor Eric Wilcots attends the grand opening of Kikkoman Foods’ new production facility in Jefferson, Wisconsin. PHOTO: SARAH SKWIRUT | UW–MADISON

For Kikkoman, the new facility builds on decades of investment in Wisconsin. The nearly 400-year-old company opened its first U.S. production facility in Walworth in 1972, drawn by the state’s agricultural resources, quality water, and workforce.

During the Jefferson celebration, Mayor Dale Oppermann described Kikkoman and the community as “tomodachi,” or friends. It was a fitting description for a company whose Wisconsin presence has been shaped by long-term relationships with communities, employees and partners across the state.

That commitment has also shaped Kikkoman’s longstanding relationship with UW–Madison. The company has supported university research and innovation through dozens of projects and significant philanthropic investments. Its U.S. R&D laboratory is located at University Research Park, helping maintain close connections with UW–Madison researchers and faculty.

Troy Runge exchanges business cards with Ryohei Tsuji, President & COO of Kikkoman Foods, Inc., inside the event tent.
Interim CALS Dean Troy Runge exchanges business cards with Ryohei (Roy) Tsuji, President & COO of Kikkoman Foods, during the grand opening luncheon. PHOTO: SARAH SKWIRUT | UW–MADISON
Eric Wilcots sits at a luncheon table talking with other guests.
Eric Wilcots connects with other guests during the grand opening luncheon.
John Garnetti and Eric Wilcots stand together inside the event tent.
Office of Business Engagement’s John Garnetti and interim Chancellor Eric Wilcots at Kikkoman’s Jefferson grand opening.

Kikkoman’s support includes a $1 million gift that helped establish the Kikkoman Laboratory of Microbial Fermentation and a $3 million gift to support agricultural research through the Wisconsin Integrated Cropping Systems Trial and Grassland 2.0.

The relationship reflects the kind of long-term, mutually beneficial partnership the university and the Office of Business Engagement seeks to build with industry partners.

For Kikkoman, that emphasis on long-term partnership has remained a constant. Its newest Wisconsin facility adds another chapter to a relationship with the state, its communities and UW–Madison that has grown over generations.