RB invests £100m in Hull

GLOBAL consumer health and hygiene company RB (formerly Reckitt Benckiser) is to invest £100m in a state of the art Centre of Scientific Excellence in Hull.

One of six major RB R&D facilities worldwide, the new centre, in Dansom Road, will become the global technical innovation hub for products such as Nurofen and Strepsils.   

The investment will both secure the long-term future of the existing operations and 1,200 jobs in Hull and create new opportunities.  In addition RB will be significantly upgrading the current home care category R&D facilities in Hull, and completing work already begun on general improvements across the site. 

Work has already begun on the design and planning aspects of the project and RB expects building work to start early in 2015 with the new Centre of Technical Expertise to be fully operational by early 2018.   

RB is a major player globally in consumer health, and one of the largest British listed companies in the space.  Part of the RB business start in Hull almost 200 years ago, and the UK has remained instrumental in the company’s consistent growth record ever since.  Several of its global health and hygiene Powerbrands were developed in RB’s laboratories in Hull and Nottingham, including Dettol, Gaviscon, Strepsils and Nurofen – as well as renowned UK brands like Lemsip and Optrex.  

RB global chief executive officer, Rakesh Kapoor, said: “Growing our global consumer health business is at the heart of our vision to provide innovative solutions for healthier lives and happier homes.  The availability of effective self-medication is a critical part of the growing socio-economic need to help people manage their health; and this is more than just a major investment for RB.  It is a statement of intent to drive positive change consumer health.  It not only shows the importance we place on innovation, but also underlines our faith in the UK as a place to invest in technical expertise and in consumer health R&D.”  

Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, said: “RB is a great British success story and their decision to invest in the UK is testament to the steps this government has taken to make Britain open for business. 

“A key part of our long-term economic plan is making the UK a world leader in science and innovation, and the new state of the art Centre of Scientific Excellence will help us deliver this, giving greater economic security for hardworking people.”

RB’s project will include the development of a major new building on the site equipped with state of the art consumer health laboratory facilities.  RB’s objective is to make the Centre a ‘magnet for talent’ for technical science expertise.  

The project has been supported by a £6m grant from the UK Regional Development Fund.

 

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