History of Kewpie
In the 1910s, Kewpie founder Toichiro Nakashima traveled to the United Kingdom and the United States as an overseas intern for what was at that time the Japan Department of Agriculture and Commerce. He returned to Japan having developed a fascination with the delicious flavor of orange marmalade and nutritional value of mayonnaise used in potato salad. In 1925, based on his desire to “help improve the physiques and health of Japanese people by making delicious, nutritious mayonnaise so widely available that it becomes a daily necessity,” the Company launched KEWPIE Mayonnaise, a highly nutritious egg-yolk type mayonnaise.
Since its founding in 1919, Kewpie has continued to value our founder's “desire to contribute to the health of customers.” Going forward, we will continue to honor this founding ambition with the aim of becoming a Group contributing to the food culture and health of the world through “great taste, empathy, and uniqueness.”
1919
Shokuhin Kogyo Co., Ltd. (predecessor of Kewpie Corporation) established to manufacture sauces mainly.
1925
Shokuhin Kogyo Co., Ltd. (predecessor of Kewpie Corporation) established to manufacture sauces mainly.
1932
Kidoen Corporation (presently AOHATA Corporation) established.
AOHATA Marmalade launched.
1941
Shipment of KEWPIE Mayonnaise reaches nearly 100,000 cases (approximately 500 tons).
1943
KEWPIE Mayonnaise production halted due to difficulties in obtaining the ingredients during the war.
1948
Production of KEWPIE Mayonnaise resumed.
1957
Shokuhin Kogyo Co., Ltd. renamed Kewpie Corporation.
1958
KEWPIE Mayonnaise in plastic bottle packaging launched.
Application of red mesh pattern to KEWPIE Mayonnaise packaging.
KEWPIE French Dressing, the first Japanese-made dressing, launched.
1959
KEWPIE Meat Sauce, the first Japanese-made canned meat sauce, launched.
1960
KKEWPIE Baby Food launched (in cans).
1961
Factory tours (currently known as “Open Kitchen”) started.
1962
Nishifu Industories Co., Ltd. (presently Kewpie Jyozo Co., Ltd.) to manufacture vinegar used exclusively for KEWPIE Mayonnaise established.
“Kewpie Three-minute Cooking” TV show airs.
1965
KEWPIE Oriental Dressing, Japan's first soy-sauce-based dressing, launched.
1966
Kewpie Warehouse Transport Co., Ltd. (presently K.R.S. Corporation) established.
1969
Full-scale sales of products for food service market through San-ei Provisions Co., Ltd.
1970
Listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Second Section.
AOHATA 55 Orange Marmalade, the first Japanese-made low-sugar jam, launched.
1972
Marketing functions transferred from NAKASHIMATO CO., LTD. to Kewpie Corporation.
1973
Promoted to the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
1975
Kewpie & Blue Flag Group Overseas Division set up.
Deria Foods Co., Ltd. established to expand into the ready-to-eat market with delicatessen products specializing in salads.
1977
Kewpie Egg Corporation established.
* In 2018, Kanae Foods Co., Ltd. merges with Kewpie Egg Corporation.
1982
Entry into Fine Chemical market.
Q&B FOODS, INC. (California, USA) established.
1984
JANEF Non-oil Dressing, Japan's first non-oil dressing, launched.
1987
Thai Q.P. Co., Ltd. (presently KEWPIE (THAILAND) CO., LTD.) established.
* In 2009, operations of Thai Q.P. Co., Ltd. transferred to KEWPIE (THAILAND) CO., LTD.
1991
KEWPIE Half launched.
1993
BEIJING KEWPIE CO., LTD. established.
KEWPIE Tasty Japanese Dressing and KEWPIE Tasty Chinese Dressing launched.
1999
Salad Club, Inc. established to manufacture and sell packaged salads (cut vegetables).
KEWPIE Yasashii Kondate launched.
(In the previous year, Japan's first nursing care food for retail market launched.)
2000
KEWPIE Deep-roasted Sesame Dressing launched.
2000s
Overseas business actively developed, including establishment of additional bases in China and Southeast Asia.
2013
Sengawa Kewport (Chofu-city, Tokyo), a multi-use facility for Kewpie Group R&D and administrative offices, established.
2015
Mirai Tamago (Fuchu-city, Tokyo), a group training center to promote human resource development, set up.
2016
Shibuya Head Office (Shibuya-ku, Tokyo) rebuilt, which then designated as a base of operation for head office and sales divisions.
2017
Kewpie Mirai Tamago Foundation established to contribute to society through food.
2020
Kansai Kewport (Itami-city, Hyogo), an integrated production, sales and distribution base in Western Japan for chilled processed food products, established.