Sakata Seed Corporation Celebrates 100 Years of Breeding Breakthroughs

Sakata 100-year Commemorative Logo

Sakata Seed Corporation, a company with a rich history of breeding and producing breakthrough flower and vegetable varieties, will celebrate 100 years in business in 2013. Sakata Seed Corporation is proud to join the ranks of those few companies that have celebrated this milestone.  

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Sakata Seed Corporation was founded in 1913, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, and is recognized today as a global leader in the development of innovative flowers and vegetable genetics. Sakata is organized into four major divisions operating in Asia, S outh America, Europe, and North and Central America and has presence in more than 32 countries. Sakata’s mission is to quickly and efficiently meet industry expectations for high quality varieties that offer optimum performance for growers, and to promote retail and consumer demand.

Sakata Seed America was established in California in 1977 — more than 35 years ago — and was the first overseas division for Sakata Seed Corporation. Sakata Seed America serves as the headquarters for the North and Central American operations.  “A century of continuity in business matters to our customers. Sakata has not only survived through world wars, economic crises and natural disasters, but has continuously adapted, creating new standards in both ornamentals and vegetables lines,” says Sakata Seed America President/CEO Dave Armstrong. “In a global marketplace characterized by intensive consolidation, Sakata stands as symbol of independence, innovation and reliability.”

Sakata wishes to thank its staff, customers, growers and other industry members all over the world — since Sakata owes so much to them for their longevity and success.

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Important Highlights in Sakata Seed Corporation History:

1913: Takeo Sakata founded Sakata Noen — now known as Sakata Seed Corporation

1934: Sakata’s F1 petunia Victorious Mix, the world’s first all double petunia, earned an All-America Selections award

1943: WWII conflicts caused Sakata to safeguard seed stock by sending it to Canadian partners, including Stokes’ Seeds

1951: Opening of Sakata Garden Center in Yokohama, Japan

1965: Takeo Sakata awarded All-America Selections Medallion of Honor for his exemplary work in the ornamentals industry

1966: World’s first commercial F1 hybrid pansy Majestic Giants, bred by Sakata, receives an All-America Selections award

1977: Sakata Seed America was established

1981: Introduced Celosia ‘Apricot Brandy.’ This variety wins an All-American Selections award

1985: Opened the Salinas Research Station in California

1988: The Morgan Hill office opened, becoming the Sakata America headquarters

1990:  Opened the Yuma Production/Research facility in Arizona

1999:  Introduced the Zinnia Profusion series in the United States. ‘Profusion Cherry’ and ‘Profusion Orange’ are awarded All-America Selections Gold Medals

2006:  Ground-breaking new series SunPatiens® wins The Home Depot Most Innovative New Product award

2010: Established Sakata America Holding Company, Inc.

2011: Devastating Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan, which miraculously caused no significant damage to Sakata’s business activities or personal injury to our staff

2013: Zinnia ‘Profusion Double Hot Cherry’ and ‘Double Deep Salmon’ win All-America Selections awards

To learn more about the Sakata Seed Corporation Centennial and timeline events, please visit www.sakataornamentals.com. You will also be able to read a letter from Hideo Takahashi and comments from long-time Sakata Seed America staff. 

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