AUBURN — Sauce-maker World Harbors was purchased by a Japanese sauce, vinegar and food maker Monday for an undisclosed amount of money.

Japan-based Mizkan International announced that its U.S.-based subsidiary, Mizkan Americas Ltd., had taken over Auburn sauce-maker World Harbors and its parent Angostura International Ltd. and would continue to distribute the company’s line of marinades and sauces.

According to Mizkan press releases, the company now owns the rights to
make and market both World Harbor sauces and Angostura bitters.

“This acquisition broadens our product offerings across several channels of trade, including supermarket retail and food service,” said Mizkan Americas President and CEO Craig Smith in a written statement.

World Harbors is based out of Auburn’s Kittyhawk
Industrial Park. It began making sauces in 1990 in Winthrop and was
later purchased by Angostura International Ltd., makers of aromatic
bitters for alcoholic beverages. The company relocated to Auburn in
2001 and expanded in 2007, building a $3 million, 21,500-square-foot
expansion.

World Harbors employs about 40 people at the Auburn plant. Officials from World Harbors, Mizkan Americas and public relations firm Hill and Knowlton could not be reached for comment to explain how the sale would effect the Auburn operation.

Hill and Knowlton is representing Mizkan in the purchase.

The Mizkan Group, based out of Handa City, Japan, is a privately owned international food manufacturer, specializing in liquid condiments — including vinegars, mustards, cooking wines, wine reductions, sushi seasoning, jellies, salad dressings and Asian sauces.

The U.S. subsidiary, Mizkan Americas, is based in Mount Prospect, Ill,, and makes condiments and food ingredients in 13 manufacturing plants. The company markets its goods under the Holland House, Imperial Brands Inc., Nakano, Four Monks, Barengo and Mitsukan brands.

According to company financial information, the Mizkan Group has $1.65 billion in annual gross sales.

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