Kraft Foods to Invest Euro 15 Million in New Biscuit Research & Development Center in France
ZURICH,
Oct. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
Kraft Foods announced today that it intends to invest
euro 15 million (approximately
$20 million) in constructing a new
Biscuit Research & Development (R&D) Center in Saclay,
France, a suburb of
Paris.
This new facility will serve as the company's European Center of Expertise for Biscuits, focusing on innovation and new product development for many of
Europe's most beloved biscuit brands, including
LU, Mikado, Oreo, Prince, Saiwa and
TUC. The Center will also be responsible for advancing major biscuit technology platforms for the European market and beyond.
Scheduled to open during the first half of 2011, this new Center will be home to a team of researchers, product and packaging developers, and nutritionists dedicated to supporting the European biscuit business. These employees are currently located in leased space within the Groupe Danone R&D Center in Palaiseau,
France, very close in proximity to the site of the new Center.
"
France is an important strategic market for biscuits and for
Kraft Foods globally. This investment makes good business sense, allowing us to continue to drive biscuit innovation and future growth," said
Michael Clarke, Executive Vice President and President, Kraft Foods Europe. "Consumers in
Europe and around the world have long enjoyed our exceptional biscuit brands, and this facility will further enable us to create delicious new products for years to come."
Once completed, the Center will join 11 other Kraft Foods R&D centers that support its businesses around the globe.
