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.

Food, Recipe, Tire, Font, Sharing, Jewellery, Dishware, Rectangle, Circle, Dish

1932

Kidoen Corporation (presently AOHATA Corporation) established.

AOHATA Marmalade launched.

Food, Fruit, Ingredient, Liquid, Font, Natural foods, Cuisine, Drink, Produce, Soft drink

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.

Liquid, Bottle, Drinkware, Drink, Line, Font, Plastic bottle, Carbonated soft drinks, Fruit, Rectangle

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.

Liquid, Bottle, Food, Drink, Bottle cap, Ingredient, Glass bottle, Fluid, Font, Alcoholic beverage

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.

Bottle, Liquid, Ingredient, Drink, Font, Glass bottle, Solvent, Recipe, Circle, Solution

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.)

Food, Ingredient, Recipe, Cuisine, Dish, Staple food, Font, Tableware, Circle, Junk food

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.