Mondelēz expands Polish technical center, creates 50 jobs
The US snack food giant ploughed an initial $17m investment to open the center last year to serve as a R&D hub for a wide range of the company’s iconic global brands, including Oreo and belVita biscuits.
According to Rob Horgrove, EVP of research, development, quality and innovation, Poland is one of the company’s most important markets in Central Europe.
“Embedding one of our largest technical centres here clearly signals the importance of Poland and Europe within our global R&D network,” he said.
“It is also home to leading technical universities and top-notch specialists. Now, with the exciting extension to Gum and Candy, we are creating approximately 50 new jobs here".
The expanded 12,500m2 facility will be home to over 200 experts, including scientists, engineers and other specialists from around the world, and is equipped with a large pilot plant for Chocolate and Biscuits, a new dedicated pilot plant for Gum and Candy, and analytical and sensory labs.
It will collaborate on innovations with more than 40 manufacturing sites Mondelez has across Europe.
Surprise and delight
“The Wroclaw Technical Center is unique not only for its diverse and talented scientists and engineers but also for its fluency across Chocolate, Biscuits and Gum and Candy technologies,” added Kevin Powell, VP, RDQ Biscuits and Gum & Candy.
“With this new investment, we will be able to surprise and delight our consumers and shoppers with exciting new combinations of technologies, formats, fillings and much more.”
The expansion is part of the company’s strategy to invest $65m in developing a global network of technical hubs strategically positions around the globe to support a growth and innovation agenda.
Todate, Mondelēz has 10 technical centers around the world, including New Jersey, US; Curitiba, Brazil; Bournville and Reading, UK; Wrocław, Poland; Singapore; Suzhou, China; Saclay, France; Munich, Germany; and Thane, India.
