Corporate History | Investors

The Founder's Vision

Enriching Japanese Dining Tables

In the 1910s, founder Toichiro Nakashima traveled to Europe and America as an overseas business trainee, where he was captivated by the delicious taste and high nutritional value of mayonnaise and orange marmalade.

"I want to contribute to improving the health and physical condition of Japanese people."
After returning to Japan, Nakashima continued to cherish that dream, and recognizing the changing times with the Westernization of food, he finally began manufacturing and selling mayonnaise in Japan for the first time in 1925.
The challenge of delivering a new food culture and contributing to society through food has been passed down through the generations of Kewpie Group.

Founder of Kewpie Corporation
Toichiro Nakashima

History of Business Development

Expanding Possibilities
from a Single Technology and Raw Material

Kewpie Group's business has grown like a large tree, by "applying and developing" the technology and wisdom cultivated from its founding origins in mayonnaise and orange marmalade.

Moving forward, we will continue to refine the unique strengths we have cultivated and deliver new value to dining tables around the world.

A "business model" that creates food trends, "research and development capabilities and technological prowess" that pave the way for the future, and a "spirit of upcycling" that turns waste into value.

Technological AdvancementsProtecting and expanding great taste

Based on the emulsification, canning, and retort technologies that we have refined since our founding, we have expanded into jams, pasta sauces, and food for the elderly. By applying our technology to deliver safe and delicious products, we continue to meet the ever-changing needs of the dinner table.

Exploring Raw MaterialsUnleashing the full potential of eggs

Our deep curiosity about eggs, the main ingredient in mayonnaise, has led us to expand our business into egg-based processed products utilizing egg yolks and egg whites. Furthermore, we recognize eggshells and eggshell membranes as valuable resources and have expanded into the healthcare and fine chemicals fields.

Contribution to SocietySupporting a changing lifestyle

Anticipating societal changes such as the increase in dual-income and single-person households, we established our packaged salad and delicatessen foods business. We value a commitment to catering to diverse lifestyles.

Our Global Aspirations and Journey so Far

Making Japan's "Salad Culture"
the Global Standard

The history of Kewpie began over 100 years ago with an inspiring encounter the founder had overseas.
Inheriting that spirit, we hope to contribute to dining tables around the world through mayonnaise and dressings.

Beginning with its expansion into the Americas in 1982, its activities have spread to Asia and then to Europe.
Our strength lies in our ability to promote healthy, salad-centric eating habits cultivated in Japan. By deeply understanding the food culture of each country and delivering Kewpie 's unique "great taste, empathy, and uniqueness," we aim to create smiles for people around the world and further growth for the group.

Bringing Kewpie's Great Taste to Dining Tables
Worldwide for 50 Years

Before founding: Encountered mayonnaise-based dishes in the United States.
: Potato salad
1919: Founded Shokuhin Kogyo Co., Ltd. (English name: The Comestible Industrial Co., Ltd., now Kewpie Corporation)
1935: Secured the Kewpie trademark registration in the United States and Indonesia as well.
1957: Changed the company name to "Kewpie," a name recognizable in both Japanese and English.
1975: Established the Overseas Business Division.
1976Americas: Entered the retail market by dispatching a representative to New York,
and subsequently established Q&B FOODS, INC. in 1982.

Q&B FOODS,INC
1987Asia Pacific: Established Thai Q.P. Co., Ltd. (now KEWPIE (THAILAND) CO., LTD.) and initiated expansion into the Asia-Pacific region.
Strengthened business development in Southeast Asia in the late 2000s, establishing group companies in Malaysia, Indonesia, and other countries.

KEWPIE (THAILAND) CO.,LTD.

PT KEWPIE INDONESIA
1993China: Expanded into China and established BEIJING KEWPIE CO., LTD.
Currently expanding group companies to broaden the sales network.

BEIJING KEWPIE CO., LTD.

Hangzhou Kewpie Corporation
2015Europe: Established a sales company in the Netherlands,
and expanded into Poland the following year.

Kewpie Trading Europe B.V.

Kewpie's Global Expansion

With a focus on the Americas, Asia Pacific, and China, we distribute our products to approximately 79 countries and regions worldwide. As a key pillar driving the group's growth, we are accelerating our expansion into the global market.

Overseas Expansion