Governor Doyle Announces Opening of Kikkoman R&D Laboratory

For Immediate Release: September 9, 2008
Contact: Tony Hozeny, Department of Commerce, 608-267-9661
Carla Vigue, Office of the Governor, 608-261-2162
Rod Hise, The Luminis Group, Ltd. for University Research Park, 608-807-4607

MADISON - Governor Jim Doyle today was joined by international, state and local leaders in announcing the opening of Kikkoman's research and development laboratory in University Research Park. The laboratory, which will join Kikkoman's global research and development network, will foster increased collaboration between the company and University of Wisconsin-Madison food science researchers.

"For 35 years, Kikkoman has proven not only its commitment to an excellent product, but a commitment to its workers and its environment," Governor Doyle said. "I am pleased to continue this great relationship with Kikkoman through this new collaboration to be housed at University Research Park. This facility will benefit Kikkoman, the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the entire state of Wisconsin."

The joint research will focus on the flavor, functionality and fortification of food products. Kikkoman and its University of Wisconsin-Madison research partners also will be exploring how these and other factors can provide healthier food with greater benefits to consumers. Kikkoman's new research and development facility will occupy a wet laboratory suite in University Research Park's MGE Innovation Center. The center is the hub of the research park, which employs nearly 4,200 and contributes more than $680 million to the region each year.

Kikkoman in June celebrated the 35th anniversary of the opening of its soy sauce production facility in Walworth. The facility was the first for the company outside of Japan. Kikkoman currently operates two other research and development facilities in Singapore and the Netherlands.

Earlier this year, Governor Jim Doyle unveiled Innovate Wisconsin, his initiative to help create jobs and grow the state's economy by increasing investment in research and development. The plan offers incentives for private businesses to focus on future breakthroughs.

Innovate Wisconsin is part of the next phase of Governor Doyle's Grow Wisconsin agenda. Research and development is important to a knowledge-driven economy and Governor Doyle has committed to making strategic investments that keep the state a leader. In the past five years, the state has committed to build some of the world's leading public research institutions, including the translational research facility at the Medical College of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery at the University of Wisconsin - Madison.

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