One of Hull’s biggest firms has revealed its magnificent £105m science and innovation centre.
RB, one of the world’s leading consumer health and hygiene companies, opened the doors on its much-anticipated new facility on Tuesday 3 December.
The state-of-the-art facility has been designed to provide a vibrant workplace with cutting-edge laboratories, a novel sensory suite for product testing and collaborative working spaces that encourage ideas to flourish.
Inside, scientists will work with consumers to develop innovative products to be sold across the world, providing a significant boost to Hull’s economy.
It is the first milestone of a £200m investment programme in the city.
The “innovation pathway”, a large open-plan atrium that can accommodate up to 170 people.
The firm, which has a 179-year history in Hull, is committing £95m to upgrade its manufacturing facilities on the Hull site, which employs 1,400.
The new facility will create 200 jobs and, it is hoped, will allow the firm to attract some of the world’s best scientific talent.
One of six major RB research and development (R&D) facilities worldwide, it will be the global technical innovation hub for household names including Nurofen and Strepsils.
Mark Jones, Hull City Council’s director of regeneration, said: “The council welcomes this huge investment in the city, which will attract some of the most talented people from the scientific community to Hull.
The formulation laboratory inside the centre.
“This centre, alongside others like it, proves that Hull really is a UK leader in R&D.
“RB has a rich history in the city and the opening of this fantastic facility guarantees that this relationship will continue for many years to come.”
The reception area at the new centre.The decision to build the centre in Hull followed a comprehensive review of the city alongside other locations across the globe.
The centre is RB’s largest healthcare development centre and the biggest single site investment in the company’s history.
Watch a video tour of the centre below:
RB CEO Laxman Narasimhan said: “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 R&D credentials.
“It underlines our view that the UK is the best place to invest in consumer health R&D.”
