Mondelez to Invest $65M in Global R&D Hubs
Mondelez International will invest $65 million to build a global research, development and quality (RDQ) network aimed at better recruitment, retention and development of talent across a range of science and technical disciplines. The investment purse will also help Deerfield, Ill.-based Mondelez create a stronger presence in both emerging and developed markets.
When complete, the redesigned network will "consist of a combination of new and existing technical centers that will be more flexible and agile in responding to the company's growth and innovation needs," according to Mondelez
Over the next two years, Mondelez will focus its RDQ network at nine advantaged technical centers, concentrating people and resources into better-equipped hubs in:
- Mexico City, Mexico
- East Hanover, N.J., United States
- Bournville, United Kingdom
- Reading, United Kingdom
- Wroclaw, Poland
- Thane, India
- Suzhou, China
- Jurong, Singapore
- Curitiba, Brazil
"With these advantaged technical centers, we're focusing our investment in research, equipment and capabilities to drive innovation to support our growth strategy and innovation, margin and quality platforms," said Rob Hargrove, EVP, RDQ. "These hubs will enable improved efficiency, effectiveness and accelerated project delivery, while the increased scale across key markets will provide rapid access to changing consumer needs and trends."
Three of the centers – East Hanover, Bournville and Reading – are alreadyfully operational. The company will break ground on the Singapore facility in November 2016 and the Thane facility in December 2016, with the Wroclaw building opening in 2017. The remainder of the redesigned network will open through 2018.