Kewpie – Factory Tour
Kewpie Corporation is a Japanese manufacturer that produces and sells condiments, salad dressing, egg products, jams and health foods. It is well known for its popular brand of mayonnaise that comes in a soft-squeeze plastic bottle with a distinctive Kewpie baby doll logo and a red cap. The company operates eight plants in Japan and has several production bases overseas including in South East Asia, Europe and the United States.
Corporate Information
- Company: Kewpie Corporation
- Foundation: 1919
- Location: Headquartered in Tokyo
- Main Business: Manufacturing of packaged food products including condiments, dressing, egg products
Kewpie Corporation – Lean Characteristics
QC Circle, High-Mix, Low-Volume Production
Kewpie Corporation is a well-known food production company with over 100 years of history. The company founder Toichiro Nakashima encountered mayonnaise during his study visit to the United States and founded the company in 1919 with a hope to create delicious and nutritious condiments for the Japanese. The company began production of Japan’s first mayonnaise product in 1925.
Kewpie now operates eight plants in Japan with a clear distinction of roles and functions among each plant. The company designates two plants as their mother factories (namely Goka plant in Ibaraki Prefecture which covers Eastern Japan and Kobe Plant in Hyogo Prefecture for Western Japan) and the remaining six are regarded as their satellite plants. At their mother plants, the company’s flagship products are manufactured in large scale. In addition, the latest production technologies and equipment are also introduced and tested before being transferred to their satellite factories. Their satellite factories are where a wide range of their food products in varying volume are manufactured in high-mix, low-volume production environments. Their production is achieved in a flexible manner with the application of factory automation systems developed over the years.
The company has set up a corporate-wide Quality Control circle program. QC circles are small groups made up of shop floor operators responsible for quality control. They voluntarily and continuously undertake activities that improve the quality of their products as well as the safety and efficiency of their operation.
Kewpie Koromo plant is a satellite plant which was established in 1958 in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture. The visit to Koromo plant provides an insight into the effective use of high-tech tools to achieve a high level of quality and efficiency as well as good examples of their QC circle activities.
Bowhill, South Australia, Australia
Shinka Management need to be commended for the tour that they ran in Japan. The experience has enlightened and energised me to intensify the lean efforts within our organisation. The tour was packed full of knowledge building as well as relationship building with other participants all whilst experiencing a cultural treat that normally only a…
read more
Göteborg, Sweden
I would like to give my deepest thanks for helping us end the executive program on a high note. This week has summarized TPS / VPS in a very practical and eye-opening manner. The lean journey has become real and exemplified through the many visits we have done. The coaching by Hattori Sensei, and by…
read more
Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
Participating in the Shinka Management Lean Japan Tour was a transformative experience. The tour offered a rare opportunity to witness world-class lean practices in action at leading Japanese organisations. From visiting Toyota’s manufacturing facilities to learning directly from lean practitioners, every moment was an invaluable learning experience. The insights gained into kaizen, waste reduction, and…
read more
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
The tour was a great experience on both a personal and a professional level. There was much learning and the culture we encountered was inspiring. I want to thank the Shinka Management team for their efforts in organising such a great and professionally detailed program. It was a pleasure meeting you all.
read more
Taipei, Taiwan
Shinka Management staff were professional from interpretation, to detailed trip arrangements, to leading the factory tour and catalyzing the thinking and discussion.
read more
Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
This past week has been truly eye-opening, seeing how the theories we learned in class come to life through practical application during our visits. The hosts were outstanding, with even the highest level of management taking time to showcase their work. Their humility, resilience, and commitment to continuous improvement at the highest level were inspiring.…
read more
The Shinka Management Lean Japan Tour is a professional development program run several times annually. The program, led by Shinka Management lean consultants, includes a mix of lean and kaizen seminars, hands-on lean training and visits to several benchmark lean companies. For further information and program dates, see the lean tour overview page.
Tour Inquiries
Interested in joining us in Japan? For additional information prior to registration please fill in the form provided or contact us.
The above form is for inquiries related to the Lean Japan Tour program, Shinka Management consulting and training services, and lean manufacturing software products. Shinka Management does not represent Kewpie. For Kewpie-related product, service and general public factory tour inquiries, please contact Kewpie directly.
Visiting Japan?
Prepare for your visit with the Shinka Management Guide to Japanese Business Etiquette.