Sakata has laid the first stone of the company's new headquarters in the Iberian Peninsula. The ceremony was presided by the President of Sakata Seed Corporation, Mr. Hiroshi Sakata, together with His Excellency the Ambassador of Japan in Spain, Mr. Takahiro Nakamae, and the Mayor of the municipality of Vícar, Mr. Antonio Bonilla.
The president of the company highlighted the importance of these new headquarters for the future of the company. "The time has come for our company to take the next step and consolidate its position in the world's most dynamic seed sector thanks to the new headquarters. We are convinced that the building will become an innovation center and will facilitate collaboration between our teams, which will result in important advances and achievements in the future."
For his part, the Japanese Ambassador stressed that "Sakata will play an important role in facing the challenges of population growth and global warming. This project will be backed by the good relations between Spain and Japan. I'd like to express my most sincere gratitude to all those who are contributing to this initiative that is boosting the development of European agriculture.
The building's construction is scheduled to be completed in 2026 and it will turn Almeria into a key location for Sakata's business strategy, as this Spanish province is currently one of the most important markets for the seed industry in Europe. The new facilities will play a key role in promoting technological advances in horticultural crops, with a focus on tomato, pepper, cucumber, zucchini and melon, among others.
The Mayor of Vícar, Antonio Bonilla, said that "thanks to projects such as the construction of Sakata's headquarters, this area has become one of the most important locations for agricultural knowledge and research worldwide. I am very proud that Sakata has chosen Vícar to develop this project in Almería. We are honored by it."
Lastly, Javier Bernabéu, general manager of Sakata Seed Ibérica, highlighted the importance of keeping an eye on the future. "Sakata's adventure in Spain started 29 years ago. The way here hasn't been easy, but here we are. The decision for the research station to be set up in Almeria has been a key milestone; a project that today is starting to become a reality. And although the future is just an idea in our imagination, we want to pay tribute to it and put our hopes in this 'time capsule'."
After these words, the event's guests and the employees of Sakata Seed Ibérica had the opportunity to write a wish for the new project and place it in an urn, which was then sealed and placed inside the stone. This first stone containing everyone's wishes will become the soul of the Sakata Seed Ibérica headquarters.
For more information: sakataiberica.com