British household goods maker Reckitt Benckiser has inaugurated a state-of-the-art science and innovation centre in Hull as part of its £200 million (€235.7 million) investment in the UK.
The innovation centre is equipped with brand new consumer health laboratory facilities and is the first milestone of its investment programme, the company said.
The company has also committed to investing £95 million (€111.98 million) to upgrade its manufacturing facilities at its factory at Hull, which employs around 1,400 people.
The investment marks the latest chapter in Reckitt Benckiser’s 179-year history in Hull and puts it at the forefront of consumer health innovation, the company said.
The innovation centre, with 200 new jobs, will attract talented science professionals, both globally and locally.
It will be one of the six major research and development facilities of the company and will focus on technical innovations for household consumer health products such as Nurofen and Strepsils.
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Laxman Narasimhan, chief executive of Reckitt Benckiser, commented, "Despite the current macro-economic uncertainty in the UK, it is our firm belief that our new centre will help the country further develop its scientific talent and research and development credentials. It underlines our view that the UK is the best place to invest in consumer health research and development."
The company has also partnered with Hull York Medical School and the University of Hull to offer a new programme – a MSc in Pharmacology and Drug Development.
The course will provide students with critical insights into the development journey of a clinical drug from the laboratory to consumers’ homes.
Students will have exclusive access to the company's state-of-the-art healthcare facilities in Hull, where employees will deliver lectures and provide mentoring.
© 2019 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Dayeeta Das. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
