Centennial Timeline Brochure

Our Roots...
First Steps in America...
1943
1913
The company’s founder,
Takeo Sakata, founded Sakata Noen.
Due to the political conflict during
World War II, Sakata safeguarded its
seed stock by sending it to Canadian
partners, including Stokes Seeds.
1977
1972
Sakata Seed America, Inc. was established.
The first office was located in downtown
San Francisco, California, and was staffed
by a small team of dedicated employees.
The Sakata broccoli presence
was enhanced with the introduction of
hybrid broccoli Green Duke, opening the
door for other market-leading varieties.
1920
The first Sakata Noen
export catalog was published.
The Beginning of Sakata America...
1985
Grand opening of first Research
Station in the U.S. in Salinas, California.
1981
Introduced celosia Apricot
Brandy -- this variety wins an
All-America Selections award.
1987
Sakata introduced
F1 broccoli Marathon.
Celebration of Service
1913 - 2013
A century in business matters. Sakata has survived world wars,
economic crises and natural disasters to continuously create
new standards in global vegetable and ornamental markets. In
a marketplace characterized by intensive consolidation, Sakata
stands as a symbol of independence, innovation and reliability.
A century of business matters to Sakata staff, who have shown
their commitment through decades of dedication. It matters to
our customers, who have become partners, supporting Sakata
genetics over these many years, while realizing value in their
businesses from our innovation. On this momentous occasion,
we express our deep appreciation to all of Sakata’s stakeholders.
Dave Armstrong
President / CEO
1966
1972
World’s first commercial F1 hybrid
pansy Majestic Giants, bred by
Sakata, receives an All-America
Selections award.
1930
The Chigasaki Breeding Station in
Japan was established. Research
and development over a wide range
of varieties began.
Co-operation began with Northrup King,
Alf Christianson Seed Company (ACS)
and other companies for U.S. sales and
global production needs.
JERRY REIMER
1934
Sakata’s F1 petunia Victorious Mix, the
world’s first all double petunia, earned
an All-America Selections award.
1951
Opening of Sakata Garden
Center in Yokohama, Japan.
1965
Takeo Sakata was awarded the
All-America Selections Medallion
of Honor for his exemplary work
in the industry.
Former Director of Production /
Former Vice President
Years of Service: 1986 - 2011
Prior to 1969, Sakata based its brassica production in Asia, which wasn’t
always effective. To help combat this and increase productivity, Sakata
initiated brassica trials in the United States with Northrup King in 1969
and Alf Christianson in 1973. These trials turned out to be very successful.
We started direct contracting in 1986 and because of increased volumes,
we quickly realized we needed another facility to help accommodate this
growth. Hence, we opened the Yuma Production/Research Station in 1990.
HIDEO TAKAHASHI
Former Sakata Seed America VP /
Former Sakata Corporate President
Years of Service: 1969 - 2007
I arrived in San Francisco
at Sakata Seed America in
January of 1979. There was
only one person in a small
office downtown. The office
was founded on the principle
of “local” production. The
local production concept
was a new idea that was
unconventional for Japanese
companies at that time, but we
now see that many companies
have embraced this concept.
1982
F1 beet Red Ace was introduced
by Alf Christianson Seed Company,
a close partner and future subsidiary
of Sakata.
JEFF ZISCHKE
Research Director
Years of Service: 1990 to Present
The Salinas Research Station opened in 1985. I actually attended the
opening day festivities while a graduate student. At the time I had no
idea I would work in the seed industry, much less work at this very
location for 22 years and counting. The Salinas Station was the first
research site developed by Sakata with plant breeders based outside
of Japan. Today, Sakata America Holding has eleven breeders in six
locations between the United States and Mexico and is developing
competitive products in twelve different species.
Growth & Expansion...
1988
1993
2005
2001
Sakata Seed de Mexico (SMX)
was established.
Grand opening of Sakata Seed America
Headquarters in Morgan Hill, California.
CHRISEED
Introduced F1 broccoli Avenger.
Alf Christianson Seed Company
(established in 1926) became a
subsidiary of Sakata.
Introduced F1 grape tomato Sweet Hearts.
Introduced F1 Spinach C2-606 to US markets.
Acquisition of Qualiveg Seed.
®
A BRAND OF ALF CHRISTIANSON SEED CO.
Our Future...
2010
Established Sakata America
Holding Company, Inc.
Milestone Varieties...
2011
Grand opening of Research Station
in Ft. Myers, Florida.
Sakata Seed Corporation listed on
Tokyo Stock Exchange First Section.
Petunia Victorious Mixed
1965 Cabbage Savoy King
1966
Pansy Majestic Giants Mixed
1971
Opened state-of-the-art offices
and supply chain facility in
Burlington, Washington.
1966
Pansy Majestic Giants White w/ Blotch
1972 Broccoli Green Duke
1981
Celosia Apricot Brandy
1972 Spinach Atlas
1983
Petunia Red Picotee
1976 Swiss Chard Rhubarb
1983
Ranunculus Bloomingdale
1977 Melon Andes
1985
Celosia Century Mixed
1982 Beet Red Ace
1987
Sunflower Sunbright
1987 Broccoli Marathon
1990
Lisianthus Echo Pure White
1988 Cabbage Blue Vantage
1991
Pansy Maxim Marina
1988 Radish Cherriette
1997
Celosia Prestige Scarlet
1998 Melon Olympic Gold
1997
Gypsophila Gypsy
1999 Coriander Santo
1998
Campanula Champion
1999 Squash Atlas
1999
Zinnia Profusion Orange
2000 Pepper Caballero
1999
Zinnia Profusion Cherry
2001 Pepper Double Up
2000
Dianthus Melody Pink
2001 Tomato Mariana
2000
Petunias Supertunia
2005 Broccoli Avenger
2001
Zinnia Profusion White
2005 Spinach C2-606
2002
Pansy Ultima Morpho
2005 Tomato Sweet Hearts
2003
Carnation Can Can Scarlet
2007 Carrot Triton
2003
Pansy Majestic Giants II
2008 Pumpkin Hijinks
2003
Petunia Merlin Blue Morn
2010 Melon Lilliput
2005
Impatiens SunPatiens®
2010 Watermelon Bold Ruler
2007
Petchoa SuperCal®
2011
2009
Sunflower Vincent
2012
Mecardonia Magic Carpet
2007
Acquisition of Agroflora S.A., which
became Sakata Seed de Brazil (SDA).
Dubbed “The Fantasy Tour” Sakata Seed
America led its third highly-acclaimed
customer tour to Japan.
Established Sakata Europe in
The Netherlands (SOE/SVE).
Grand opening of
Production/Research Station
in Yuma, Arizona.
Sakata Seed de Guatemala
(SGU) was established.
Profusion Cherry
Former President
Years of Service: 1987 - 1998
My first year was spent buying land in Morgan Hill and overseeing
the construction of a new headquarters. Once the office was complete,
we moved in with seven employees. Our first order of business was
to establish a dealer network and hire product development and sales
professionals. With success at that level, we started to expand!
2008
Acquisition of market-leading
cabbage genetics from Reed’s Seeds.
JOHN NELSON
2000
GABE PATIN
Introduced F1 petchoa SuperCal®
series, combining the best qualities
of petunia and calibrachoa.
2002
Profusion Orange
1999
Introduced zinnia Profusion in the United
States. Cherry and Orange are awarded
All-America Selections Gold Medals.
Senior Director of Vegetable Sales and
Marketing; North and Central America
Years of Service: 1990 to Present
In 1991, soon after my arrival
to Sakata, we hosted the first of
three Sakata Fantasy Tours. The
results of these tours were many,
but the most integral part was to
show our valued customers Sakata’s
commitment to the ornamental
and vegetable seed industries. Many
fond memories of these “once in a
lifetime trips” were created. Sakata
continues that dedication to our
customers and looks forward to
forging more great relationships!
2003
Acquisition of the flower
division of L. Daehnfeldt A/S.
Introduced F1 pansy
Majestic Giants II.
2006
Ground-breaking new series SunPatiens®
wins The Home Depot Most Innovative
New Product award.
Vegetables
1934
1994
1990
Flowers
Introduced F1 triploid watermelon
Bold Ruler and Citation.
2012
Introduced vegetable Centennial
Collection, including F1 tomato
Rally and F1 broccoli Centennial.
2009
Introduction of sunflower
Vincent® series.
Double Hot Cherry
2013
Zinnia Profusion Double Hot Cherry
and Double Deep Salmon win All-America
Selections awards.
®
Sweet Corn Honey Bantam
Squash Polaris
2012 Broccoli Centennial
®
™
2012 Tomato Rally
Sakata Seed America, Inc.
18095 Serene Drive Morgan Hill, CA 95037 • (408) 778-7758
www.sakataornamentals.com • www.sakatavegetables.com