Mizkan Pumps £17 M into Greater Manchester’s Vinegar Vibe
Picture this: a Japanese food giant, famous for its Sarson’s Vinegar and a bag full of mouth‑watering Japanese varieties, decides to inject a whopping £17 million straight into a town called Middleton in Greater Manchester. The plan? Up‑skill the crew, give the old factory a makeover, and churn out fresh, funky new products that’ll make even the most boring salad taste like a dinner‑club adventure.
Why the Big Shake‑Up?
- Upskill – employees get the latest tech and training.
- Expand & Refurbish – fresh new spaces, state‑of‑the‑art tools.
- New Products – think uncharted flavor territory.
And it’s not just about the vinegar. It’s a sign that Japan’s turning its eye toward the UK’s most industrious region, boosting trade and slapping a stamp of innovation on both sides.
“Big, Bold, and Not a Bit Boring” – The Delegation
The capital mission to Tokyo and Osaka is as grand as it gets, led by Greater Manchester’s Mayor Andy Burnham, economy whiz Bev Craig, and a lovely mix of folks from:
- Department for Business & Trade
- MIDAS – Manchester’s Inward Investment Agency
- Manchester Airport
- Co‑operatives UK
- University of Manchester & Manchester Metropolitan University
- Electricity North West
- And a bunch of cooler organizations like The Hallé, Daikin, Panasonic, and Deloitte.
It’s a team that could fill a whole second‑world‑economy with one person’s optimism.
Why Tokyo, Then Osaka?
The first stop: Tokyo – a city that makes sushi, anime, and really tight budgets look stylish. After that, the delegation heads to Osaka for the EXPO 2025, the biggest press‑big‑bang of the decade. That EXPO is the playground where the world’s eyes will spot Osaka and the Manchester‑Osaka partnership will take center stage.
Manchester Day at EXPO 2025
On June 19, the UK Pavilion will see a spin‑of the creatives with BLOOM – an original performance that blends Greater Manchester’s musical soul with Japanese flair. Think hip‑hop beats, DJ vibes, dance, and a string ensemble from The Hallé – the ultimate mash‑up that will make you cheer (and maybe start a new dance craze).
Corporate Champions: More Than Just Vinegar
Japan’s influence here isn’t just a single company. With about 25 Japanese firms in Greater Manchester, including names like Daikin and Astemo, it’s a partnership that’s growing older and older because it works. In 2022, £99 million of goods moved across the pond, and services hit £151 million in 2021 – a tidy chunk of the city’s worth.
And the job side of the story? Japanese FDI created over 1,200 jobs across the UK last year alone.
What’s the Bigger Picture?
The mission is part of a broader plan that also rolled out a three‑day trip to Singapore last month, a city that can probably explain its economic success in under a paragraph. Back in Japan, the delegates are meeting with government leaders, trade officials, and forward‑thinking companies to tighten ties, share stories, and copy each other’s success because a great partnership feels like living inside a bubble of possibility.
Math 101: Trust in the Numbers
In 2022, the trade between Greater Manchester and Japan climbed a full handkerchief of amounts – £99 million exchanged. Total exports in 2021 saw services landing a sweet £151 million. And that’s by no means the end of the story – with Japanese companies continuing to co‑operate, local businesses have more reason than ever to reach for the sky.
Closing Thoughts
Andy Burnham summed it up best: “EXPO 2025 will spotlight Osaka, and our partnership there gives us a once‑in‑a‑generation chance to shine globally. The excitement, from the local people to the global network, gives us a fresh ticket to invest, develop, and grow together.”
And Mizkan’s UK Chief Executive, Chikara Tanaka, pumped his enthusiasm the same way: “We’re thrilled to upgrade our Middleton plant and viewers around the world will feel our passion for premium, authentic Japanese vinegar.”
So if you think you’ve seen the full spectrum of trade, Japanese business, and Manchester flair: think again. It’s all in one heartbeat – a high‑voltage mix ready to power a bright, beautiful future.
