Cosmetics company, Avon, has announced that it plans to open a new regional R&D centre in Shanghai, China, which will become Avon's largest R&D facility outside of the US.
Located in the Jinqiao Hi-Tech Park, the stand-alone 40,000 sq. ft. building will span six floors and have additional capacity to expand Avon's overall scientific capabilities in China and Asia.
Avon said that the new regional R&D centre will house scientific experts in the areas of product development, safety and quality testing, microbiology, chemical engineering and consumer research. In addition, the facility will enable Avon to grow its R&D alliances in China as well as hire and retain world-class scientists. The centre is expected to open in late 2010.
Avon's chairman and chief executive officer, Andrea Jung, said: "We're delighted to be opening our new R&D centre in Shanghai. This reflects our continuing commitment to the China market, which remains a significant long-term growth opportunity. We believe that our expanded R&D presence in China will enable us to be closer to consumers and ensure that we leverage our scientific talent effectively to meet the needs of Chinese women."
Avon's chief scientific officer, Janice Teal, PhD, added: "We're very pleased that this beautifully designed regional R&D center in Shanghai will allow us to continue our heritage of offering Chinese women first-to-market, breakthrough beauty technologies. In addition, it will enable us to build upon our innovation leadership position in China, particularly in the whitening category, and across the Asia Pacific region, well into the future."
In China, Avon currently has a regional R&D facility in Guangzhou which conducts research activities for cosmetics and nutritional supplements. The research capability for cosmetics will move to the new regional R&D center in Shanghai, while research for nutritional supplements will remain in Guangzhou.
