Nestle yesterday opened its first Research and Development Centre in Ireland at its existing manufacturing facility in Limerick, marking the completion of a three-year building programme with a capital investment of €27million.
The new R&D centre will focus on scientific research to support innovations in the development of milk-based maternal and infant nutrition products for the global market. The Centre was formally opened by Michael Creed, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine; and Thomas Hauser, Head of Global Product and Technology Development for Nestle S.A.
The R&D Centre will concentrate on developing premium, science-based products for mothers and infants. It incorporates state-of-the-art laboratory facilities as well as a full pilot-scale manufacturing line to facilitate the development, and testing of new products from initial concept through to product deployment. The project investment was supported by Enterprise Ireland.
Over 40 research staff are employed at the R&D Centre, which is co-located with Nestle’s Wyeth Nutrition manufacturing plant. Wyeth Nutrition Ireland produces a range of premium milk powder products for infants, young children and mothers for export to world markets.
Speaking yesterday, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed said, "Nestle’s decision to invest and open this centre further places Ireland internationally as a location that offers quality raw dairy materials combined with a highly educated and skilled workforce. It is a major signal of confidence in the future and quality of the Irish dairy industry."
Head of Global Product and Technology Development for Nestle S.A., Thomas Hauser added, "Our Irish R&D Centre will benefit from Nestle’s global R&D network and help to position Nestle at the fore of infant and maternal nutritional product development, one of Nestle’s most important growth drivers. With this new centre, we will increase the pace of our innovation capacity by enabling our scientists to explore innovative nutritional solutions for the crucial first 1,000 days of life."
Source: www.businessworld.ie
