Unilever鈥檚 拢200 million investment in the north-west welcomed by Prime Minister and Chancellor
Unilever plans to expand in the region with a 拢200 million investment that will secure jobs for the future.
Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, and Prime Minister, David Cameron, today visited Unilever鈥檚 Port Sunlight factory, IT and research and development (R&D) hub in Merseyside to welcome the company鈥檚 plans to expand in the region with a 拢200 million investment that will secure jobs for the future.
The investment, which provides a further sign of support in the Prime Minister and Chancellor鈥檚 long-term economic plan will see the opening of a new global IT centre, the completion of the construction of a new personal care factory, producing British brands including TRESemm茅 and Radox, and several new R&D facilities in collaboration with north-west academic institutions. It will also help enable the north-west to continue to be one of the most innovative regions in the country.
Unilever, founded in the model village of Port Sunlight more than 125 years ago by William Lever, is one of the world鈥檚 largest consumer goods companies and employs more than 2,500 people at its Port Sunlight site. With roles created in the new factory, the historic home of the Anglo-Dutch multi-national will be home to more than one third of the UK workforce, making it one of the company鈥檚 key global R&D, manufacturing and IT hubs.
Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne said:
Unilever is an iconic company that exports around the world. Their decision to invest 拢200 million in their Port Sunlight site secures jobs for the future and is fantastic news for the region and a vote of confidence in the UK.
These highly skilled jobs in this export industry are exactly the kind of opportunities we want to see created which is why in last month鈥檚 Autumn Statement I provided further incentives for R&D in the UK. I want Britain to be a country where companies want to invest and create jobs, which is exactly what Unilever is doing today.
Unilever UK and Ireland Executive Chairman, Graeme Pitkethly, said:
Unilever鈥檚 legacy in Port Sunlight goes back over 125 years 鈥� it is the historic home of our company which today operates in more than 190 countries. With everyday products and much loved brands produced here and found in 9 out of 10 British households, our 拢200 million investment into Unilever Port Sunlight is a significant moment that will provide a platform for our business in the UK and across the globe for years to come.
We are proud to have had the opportunity to show the Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer the investments made and to demonstrate Port Sunlight鈥檚 continued strategic importance as we look to the future and continue to build on the Lever legacy.
As part of the visit the Chancellor and Prime Minister met with the company鈥檚 management team before meeting with staff and taking a tour of the Personal Care factory, located on William Lever鈥檚 original site and IT centre.
The visit formed part of the Chancellor鈥檚 and Prime Minister鈥檚 2 day tour of the north-west, where they set out their 6-point long-term economic plan for the region, which shows what has been delivered, what is underway and what more can be done to build a northern powerhouse.
Yesterday, the Chancellor convened leading health scientists to discuss proposals for a further major new investment in health research in the north of England. The Chancellor has asked Professor Ian Greer, Provost of Health and Life Sciences at the University of Liverpool to develop 鈥淗ealth North鈥� 鈥� a programme to unlock future medical innovations. The move follows at the Autumn Statement, including the new quarter-billion Sir Henry Royce Institute for materials research.