About us

1923
Shonan Spice Research Institute was founded in Fujisawa, Kanagawa.
Domestic production of food spice begins.
Founding president Minoru Nosaka
1926
The research institute was relocated to Nakano, Nakano-ku, Tokyo.
1927
The head office and factory was newly established in Matsugaoka, Nakano-ku, Tokyo, and expanded production of citrus essence for Calpis using citrus peels.
1931
Second factory was built in Ekota, Nakano-ku, Tokyo,
(Current head office) for Vanillin and Ester synthesis applied for confectioneries.
1936
Shonan Spice Industrial Ltd. was founded.
1940~1945
Citrus processing factory was established.
Citrus processing factory was also established in the Taiwan Hualien harbor for extracting oils from oranges and lemons.
Manufacturing of citrus fruit juice begins with the production of citrus oil.
Fruit juice for vitamin-C supplement was provided to the Japanese Army.
1943
Plant equipment was relocated to Kiyosato, Takane-cho, Kita-Koma-gun, Yamanashi. Preparation for evacuation begins.
1945
Head Office factory was destroyed by Tokyo air raids and the Head Office was relocated to its current location (Egota, Nakano-ku, Tokyo). Established a factory in Kiyosato, Takane-cho, Kitakoma-gun, Yamanashi, to restart the production of citrus essence by the extraction of inulin (sweetener) from Chrysanthemum potatoes.
1951
Set up concentration freezing facility in Kiyosato, Takane-cho, Kitakoma-gun, Yamanashi, and constructed juice processing factory. Manufacturing of Concord grape juice using Concord grapes as the raw material begins at Kikyougahara (Nagano).
1954
Shonan Flavors, Inc. was founded with the capital of 4.5 million yen.
1967
The capital was increased to 10 million yen.
1976
An extra filtration film (UF membrane) was put to practical use.
Manufacture of high quality transparent fruit juice begins.
1980
Development of carbon dioxide sampling process begins.
1981
Carbon dioxide extraction pilot plant is installed in the Kiyosato factory.
1983
The capital was increased to 30 million yen.
1984
The capital was increased to 45 million yen.
Large-sized carbon dioxide extraction equipment was installed in the Kiyosato factory.
Manufacturing of high quality non-heated fruit juice begins for concentrated fruit juices by applying reverse osmosis membrane (RO membrane).
1985
Production of marine extract products begins.
1986
Fruit juice production factory was built in Shimmachi, Ugomachi, Ogachi-gun, Akita, for manufacturing and securing raw materials for high quality apple juice.
Contract cultivation begins for grape (Campbell variety) for processing.
1989
The Kiyosato factory was relocated due to deterioration and production expansion.
The Yamanashi factory was built in Sutama-cho, Kita-Koma-gun, Yamanashi.
Carbon dioxide extraction equipment was expanded.
Manufacturing begins of membrane concentrated grape juice for the purpose of apple turbid membrane concentrated juice manufacturing using the fertile soil at Yakima Valley in Washington State.
SHONAN (U. S.A.) INC. founded. Capital $2,000,000.
1990
SHONAN (U. S.A.), INC. increased capital to $3,000,000.
1991
The capital was increased to 75 million yen.
1993
Production of vegetable juice begins at SHONAN (U. S.A.) INC. The manufacturing of concentrated carrot juice begins by contract cultivation.
1997
SHONAN (U. S.A.), INC. increased its capital to $3,500,000.
1998
SHONAN (U. S.A.)INC. increased its capital to $3,740,000.
1999
Expansion of production for beverage extract (coffee and tea) begins. SHONAN (U. S.A.) INC. increased its capital to $5,740,000-.
2000
Fruit juice production of Yamanashi factory was moved to Akita factory. Specialization for manufacturing of spice and extract begins.
2002
Manufacturing of fermented vegetable juice allows for the management strategy plan to be approved for financing.
The 1st corporate bond issued.
2003
Shonan Holdings, Inc. was established, and then, took over and merged with a limited partnership corporation, Shonan Flavor Industries, Inc.
A liquor sales license was acquired.
2004
Manufacturing of fermented juice using yeast started at Akita Factory.
2006
A contract plantation for Takami melon intended for processing began.
2007
Certificate of ISO9001: 2008 (Quality MS) was acquired.
2008
Certificate of ISO22000 (Food Safety MS) was acquired.
2009
Additional plate-type low-temperature concentrators were installed at SHONAN (U.S.A.), INC.
2012
Certificate of FSSC22000 (Food Safety MS) was acquired.
A contract plantation for tomatoes intended for processing began.
2013
Integrated product information MS (MerQurius) was set up and run.
2014
Certificate of OHSAS18001 (Labor Safety Hygiene MS) was acquired.
2016
Start sale of original brand fruit juice「sonomama」series.
The ISO9001:2015 certification acquired.
2017
ISO 45001:2018 certification acquired.
New mixer installed in Yamanashi plant.
2018
Liquid continuous sterilizer installed in Akita plant.
Joined Sedex (Supplier Ethical Data EXchange).