Unilever to consolidate global R&D operations

MUMBAI: As part of its global consolidation of research and development (R&D ) operations , Anglo-Dutch consumer products multinational Unilever is combining R&D on foods, home and personal care (HPC) and corporate research into one research organisation.

India is expected to benefit from integrated research programme as Hindustan Unilever���s Bangalore R&D centre is among the six global centres where R&D will be consolidated. According to an official release on Unilever website :������ The intention marks a significant step forward in increasing its efficiency, simplicity and focus in R&D .

Through intended changes, Unilever will be able to deliver an integrated R&D programme, reduce overlap in activities between sites and increase speed and impact of innovations.������

A Unilever spokesperson said, ������ The re-shaping of Unilever R&D will mean a further building up of resources in India, including adding a further 30 or so roles.

The build-up of resources will primarily be in laundry. This also means that India becomes one of six strategic R&D sites, part of the integrated global research programme���not really a matter of ���outsourcing��� from India.������ Unilever has chosen six sites for research���Vlaardingen , Port Sunlight & Colworth, Trumbull, Bangalore
and Shanghai.