At a groundbreaking ceremony today, Mondelēz International officially began the construction of a new global Research, Development & Quality (RDQ) site in Bielany Wroclawskie. With a symbolic turn of the first shovelful of soil, company executives and local officials marked this important milestone for Poland and the company's RDQ network in Europe.
The state-of- the-art research and development facility is expected to open in the first quarter 2017 and will support new products and technologies for beloved Power Brands like Cadbury Dairy Milk, Milka, Barni and Oreo. The site will also be equipped with innovation labs, a new pilot plant and a "collaboration kitchen," a creative space for new ideas and experimentation.
"This $15 million investment supports our growth strategy to offer innovative chocolate and biscuit products that meet the changing needs of consumers, while maintaining a competitive edge in the markets of tomorrow," said Rob Hargrove, Executive Vice President, Research, Development & Quality for Mondelēz International. "Embedding one of our largest research hubs here clearly signals the importance of Poland and Europe within our global RDQ network."
"We really appreciate the fact that Mondelēz International — our established local business partner — is growing," said Pawel Hreniak, Lower Silesia Governor. "The investment itself means new jobs, and further promotion of the region, as well as potential cooperation with local partners, which we all are looking forward to."
"Wroclaw is rapidly becoming the ‘Silicon Valley' of Poland as well as an incredibly important and strategic location for our business," said Zoltan Novak, Managing Director, Mondelez Poland and the Baltics. "Given the vast number of locally renowned technical universities that educate top-notch professionals in the area, we are confident that this talent will help us to create a strong future for our global Power Brands and make the new center a successful hub for innovation."
The investment will not only boost the company's already innovative global chocolate and biscuit Power Brands, but it is also expected to host 250 scientists, engineers and other specialists recruited from all over the world, including Poland. The company's long-standing presence in the country will grow, with 1,400 employees in the Wroclaw region as well as cooperation with local partners and suppliers.
