Oct 4, 2024

Sakata opens Woodland Innovation Center

Sakata America Holding Company Inc. (SAH), a subsidiary of Japan-based Sakata Seed Corporation, has officially opened its new headquarters, the Sakata Woodland Innovation Center.

This state-of-the-art facility, situated on 219 acres in Yolo County, consolidates the company’s research, development, seed production and other key functions into a single expansive campus.

The Woodland Innovation Center represents a significant step in the company’s long-term strategy to advance agricultural innovation and sustainability. “The expansion of the Woodland Innovation Center is an exciting and necessary step for the future of Sakata,” said Dave Armstrong, president and CEO of Sakata Seed America. “Our headquarters relocation to Woodland reflects our commitment to California’s vital agriculture and seed sectors.”

The center was developed in four phases, with phases 3 and 4 recently completed. The latest additions include a 9,000-square-foot lab, an 18,000-square-foot office built to LEED standards, and a solar energy plant to power the entire site. A new warehouse features advanced milling and processing equipment, furthering the company’s capabilities.

In addition to enhancing operational efficiency, the move strengthens Sakata’s relationship with the University of California, Davis, offering new opportunities for collaboration with the renowned agricultural science institution.

Sakata has a long history of leadership in the seed industry, known for innovations in vegetables such as broccoli. The new headquarters will support the integration of five research stations, multiple seed processing sites and global collaboration among Sakata’s breeding teams.

The grand opening celebration on Sept. 12, 2024, welcomed 200 guests, including Japan’s Ambassador to the United States, California legislators, and Sakata executives. The event featured a traditional Japanese Sake Ceremony and showcased Sakata’s agricultural products.