Japanese chemicals firms increases capacity
RIKA International, a Japanese chemical research and development firm, has doubled the size of its European headquarters in Chadderton near Oldham.
The firm has expanded the site to 5,500 sq ft after receiving grant funding from the Northwest Development Agency (NWDA) to support the investment.
Rika, which serves US, European and Middle East markets from the Oldham site, carries out research and development on plastic-based goods such as packaging, household products and medical applications.
Liam Killough, Rika’s managing director, said: “A key factor in our success to date is undoubtedly our location and its infrastructure. As the only subsidiary outside Asia, we need to access a huge spread of markets quickly and effectively. Manchester Airport’s links to major hubs across Europe and the US allow us to do just that, whilst time zones allow us to speak with both the US and Japan in the same day.
“Manchester has a strong heritage in chemical and polymer development and a talent pool of people with the specialist skills we require. The ability to tap into additional research and development expertise at the universities, as well as Oldham’s regional science centre, also remains fundamental to our future plans. We certainly have everything in place to ensure our strategy for growth is a success.”
The company, owned by the New Japan Chemical Company, worked closely with Greater Manchester’s inward investment body MIDAS.
Chief executive Angie Robinson said: “It’s fantastic to see such an innovative, global player as Rika International growing in the Manchester city region. Their impressive expansion plans demonstrate the firm’s commitment to their base in Oldham and indeed Greater Manchester’s ability to support operations like this. We look forward to continuing to work alongside Rika International as they develop and grow their business here.”
Mark Hughes, chief executive of the NWDA, said: “This is an excellent example of how businesses can really benefit from our funding and continued support even after they have successfully located to the Northwest.”
The NWDA did not disclose the size of the grant provided to Rika.
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