Soy sauce producer Kikkoman celebrates 25 years in Folsom

Among other fine qualities to brag about, it's safe to say Folsom makes the best soy sauce. Venerable Japanese company Kikkoman Foods was honored by the Folsom City Council this week as the Glenn Drive soy sauce plant celebrates its silver anniversary in the city. Folsom Mayor Rosario Rodriguez presented a resolution of commendation to Kiyotaka Nagai, Kikkoman vice president and Folsom plant manager, during the regular Dec. 12 City Council meeting. "Since 1998, Kikkoman has been a beloved part of the community," said Rodriguez. "There's one thing that every household has, is Kikkoman Soy Sauce." Kikkoman has production plants and offices in Japan, the US, Netherlands, Singapore, Taiwan, China and Canada. It's the most popular brand of soy sauce in Japan and the United States. The largest Japanese-style "shoyu" soy sauce maker in the world, Kikkoman also produces seasonings, mirin, shochu, juice and sake, as well as pharmaceuticals and restaurant management services. "We are very happy to be here in Folsom," Nagai said during the ceremony amid applause. Although company roots stretch back more than 300 years and span several continents, Kikkoman came to America in 1957. The company opened the San Francisco headquarters office 66 years ago. Following a Wisconsin plant, Kikkoman opened the 95,000-square-foot Folsom factory with 29 employees in 1998 because of the "pure" water of Folsom Lake, according to 2007 Gold Country Media reports. "We did an extensive search for plant sites in the Western US. Most were eliminated due to inadequate water," explained Milton Neshek, Kikkoman secretary and general counsel at the time. "Soy sauce needs good, clear water like the pure mountain water of Folsom Lake." Quality of life, a skilled labor force and proximity to major markets like Los Angeles and San Francisco helped break the tie between Folsom and Corvallis, Oregon. The Folsom plant had roughly 30 employees the first 10 years. Approximately $76 million was invested in property, plant and equipment - with property taxes in excess of $5 million, and $197,000 in Folsom sales tax, officials said then. Kikkoman was soon producing 5 million gallons of soy sauce a year. The plant is a good neighbor, too. Among other things, Kikkoman won the Waste Reduction Award Program for "Improving the environment by reducing waste" by the State of California seven times in the first nine years. Kikkoman received a 2007 Environmental Recognition Award from the Sacramento Environmental Commission for voluntarily exceeding regulatory requirements and its commitment to waste and water reduction and recycling efforts. The company has treated Folsom neighbors very well, contributing hundreds of thousands of dollars, maybe millions, to community and charitable events for more than 25 years. This includes student scholarships for Folsom Lake College, funding economic development, sponsoring the Folsom Rodeo, support for the library, buying Folsom PD equipment and bike trail contributions such as $20,000 to the Humbug-Willow Creek Trail. The company contributed roughly $428,000 to Folsom events and charities in its first Folsom decade alone. "Kikkoman Foods has a strong commitment to the environment and the betterment of the community," said Neshek. "We thank Kikkoman members for the immeasurable happy moments, special events and celebrations they have been a part of," said the mayor. The Folsom production mainly serves the western states, shipping soy sauce to food service companies, restaurants, manufacturers and others throughout the West Coast and locations in Hawaii and Texas.