OUR STORY
OUR STORY
OUR STORY
OUR STORY
Mitani is a private, family-owned food manufacturing company based in South Australia. Established in 1979, our company has grown to become one of Australia’s most innovative food product developers and manufacturers supplying some of the country’s largest and best-known food companies.
Our story started in 1954 when Elia ‘Loui’ and Trianka Mitani arrived in Australia as migrants with their young son Tas and the dream of a better life. Within a few years, they started a market garden and quickly progressed into food retailing and ultimately manufacturing, driven by an entrepreneurial spirit and a strong work ethic.
Initially pioneering the commercial production of chicken salt, Mitani built relationships with other food companies to expand into other areas of food production including stuffings, dressings and seasonings.
Mitani was passed to the next generation with Loui transitioning the running of the business to his four sons Tas, Con, Jim and Les. Today, it’s the third generation starting to take over the reins.
TIMELINE
1955
Family moves to Adelaide
1970
Family opens their first business, a delicatessen in the Northern suburbs. 
1979
The family started Gawler Poultry, the business that would evolve into the Mitani Group. 
1982
The business moved to a purpose-built factory at Salisbury Plains, our current head office and main manufacturing plant. 
1984
The business began trading as Mitani Food Services to highlight our focus on food distribution and manufacturing. 
1986
Mitani pioneer Frozen Stuffing Cores and begin supply to poultry processors. 
1990
Mitani launches our flagship brand Mitani Classic Chicken Salt 
1992
Mitani opens retail shop, Central Grocers. After 24 years of operation, the shop was closed in November 2016 to make room for the expansion of our liquid processing plant. 
1993
The business begins trading as Mitani Products as it sells the food distribution side of the business to focus on manufacturing 
1998
Mitani begins manufacturing specialised mayonnaise and salad dressings for the growing salad manufacturing industry 
2013
Mitani Products acquire local business Inpak Foods and begins trading as the Mitani Group 
2018
Large investment in state of the art liquid processing and packaging plant, consolidating our position as a premier supplier to Australia’s leading food manufacturers TODAY
Investing heavily in Research & Development, our people and new manufacturing technologies, Mitani has grown into a large-scale commercial operation, still underpinned by strong family values.
Our company specialises in value-adding components for the food industry, developed and manufactured to our customers’ specifications. This is why we’re the ‘Secret Ingredient’ in some of Australia’s best-selling food and beverage products from roast chickens in supermarkets, dressings on pre-made salads and even the seasoning on the chips for one of Australia’s favourite quick service restaurants.
Our strong Research and Development capabilities mean that we’re not only able to effectively respond to a customer’s brief, but also conceive and develop innovative new products to help grow their businesses.
Mitani remains agile and able to respond quickly to customers’ needs in a rapidly changing industry. Our service-orientated approach and investment in our people has been key to the success of Mitani.
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