Latest news with #RichardSlater
Fashion United
20-05-2025
- Business
- Fashion United
Unilever to invest 80 million pounds in new fragrance facility
British fast-moving consumer goods giant Unilever is investing 80 million pounds to build in-house fragrance capabilities in the UK, including plans for a new state-of-the-art fragrance facility near Liverpool to develop 'leading-edge digital capabilities and to recruit and partner for the very best fragrance talent and expertise'. Plans for the new facility in Port Sunlight are described as 'a significant step in Unilever's global investment to build world-class in-house fragrance capabilities,' as it looks to accelerate growth and productivity through fragrance design and ingredient buying, whilst continuing to work closely with key global fragrance house partners. Fragrance, it states, plays a critical role in elevating the consumer experience and performance of everyday products, from shampoos and conditioners to skin moisturisers, body washes and deodorants, and in laundry and home cleaning. The new facility will include a fragrance research and innovation lab, a compounding facility where new fragrances are blended and developed, and evaluation suites where products are tested to assess performance and preference. The site will also be digitally enabled end-to-end, including robotics to blend fragrance oils and real-time data capture, enabling digital modelling, analytics and the use of AI to drive fragrance development. The move, subject to planning permission, will also integrate fragrance capabilities with consumer insights and product development processes. This will enable Unilever to bring fragrance innovation to their Home Care, Personal Care, and Beauty and Wellbeing brands, including Persil, Dove, Rexona (Sure in the UK) and TRESemmé, with 'greater speed and efficiency'. Richard Slater, chief research and development officer at Unilever, said in a statement: 'We are delighted to announce this significant investment to build a world-class fragrance house within Unilever. The investment includes a new state-of-the-art facility in Port Sunlight, which further expands our leading-edge R&D capabilities in the UK and drives our ambitious plans to build expertise, partnerships and innovation at scale. 'Our new fragrance facility and expert perfumers will enable us to bring fragrance insight and innovation to our brands at speed and, working with our partners, to reinvent how fragrances are created for consumer products, leveraging cutting-edge science along with AI and robotics.' It's part of a wider 300-million-pound investment package by Unilever in the UK across offices, research and development sites and factories in the next two years. Port Sunlight in the North West is Unilever's largest innovation site in the UK, where alongside two factories and two research and development labs, Unilever has also opened an Advanced Manufacturing Centre (AMC) and the Materials Innovation Factory (MIF), which was built in collaboration with the University of Liverpool.
Fashion Network
19-05-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Unilever to build state-of-the-art fragrance facility in UK
FMCG giant Unilever is set to build an £80 million fragrance facility near Liverpool that will transform its longstanding facility in Port Sunlight. It should be complete in 2027, although many of its functions will start earlier than that. It's part of a £300 million package of R&D spending in Britain over the next two years. It will take in a fragrance research and innovation laboratory, a compounding facility, and testing suites, The Times reported. In terms of tech innovation, it will use robotics to blend fragrance oils and the firm's 'noses' will work with AI to develop their scents. Richard Slater, chief R&D officer at Unilever, told the newspaper: 'We're one of the world's largest buyers and users of fragrance, which are absolutely critical to the product performance of so many of our brands and categories and the consumer perception.' Even with the investment in the facility, Unilever intends to continue partnering with major fragrance houses such as DSM- Firmenich and Givaudan. The news of the plan to spend the money was actually released last year but without the Anglo-Dutch giant disclosing the location. At the time it said: 'We're investing €100 million to scale up Unilever's fragrance design and creation capabilities across our global portfolio. This supports our strategy to accelerate growth and increase productivity by allowing Unilever to gain greater control of the design and refinement of our fragrances, a key component of product formulation and consumer preference. 'Fragrance forms a vital part of many Unilever products, from indulgent shower creams to invigorating deodorants and the satisfying scents that our brands leave on freshly washed laundry. 'Historically, we've partnered with fragrance houses around the world to create the scents that consumers know and love. Such partnerships remain important to us as we move to grow our capabilities in-house which will see Unilever transition to a hybrid model, where our digitally enabled teams are involved in every step of innovation, formulating fragrances that fit perfectly with our products. 'We'll combine our own scientific expertise in areas such as neuroscience, AI and digital product development with existing strategic partnerships, to help deliver consistent and affordable product superiority across our brands more quickly.'
Fashion Network
19-05-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Unilever to build state-of-the-art fragrance facility in UK
FMCG giant Unilever is set to build an £80 million fragrance facility near Liverpool that will transform its longstanding facility in Port Sunlight. It should be complete in 2027, although many of its functions will start earlier than that. It's part of a £300 million package of R&D spending in Britain over the next two years. It will take in a fragrance research and innovation laboratory, a compounding facility, and testing suites, The Times reported. In terms of tech innovation, it will use robotics to blend fragrance oils and the firm's 'noses' will work with AI to develop their scents. Richard Slater, chief R&D officer at Unilever, told the newspaper: 'We're one of the world's largest buyers and users of fragrance, which are absolutely critical to the product performance of so many of our brands and categories and the consumer perception.' Even with the investment in the facility, Unilever intends to continue partnering with major fragrance houses such as DSM- Firmenich and Givaudan. The news of the plan to spend the money was actually released last year but without the Anglo-Dutch giant disclosing the location. At the time it said: 'We're investing €100 million to scale up Unilever's fragrance design and creation capabilities across our global portfolio. This supports our strategy to accelerate growth and increase productivity by allowing Unilever to gain greater control of the design and refinement of our fragrances, a key component of product formulation and consumer preference. 'Fragrance forms a vital part of many Unilever products, from indulgent shower creams to invigorating deodorants and the satisfying scents that our brands leave on freshly washed laundry. 'Historically, we've partnered with fragrance houses around the world to create the scents that consumers know and love. Such partnerships remain important to us as we move to grow our capabilities in-house which will see Unilever transition to a hybrid model, where our digitally enabled teams are involved in every step of innovation, formulating fragrances that fit perfectly with our products. 'We'll combine our own scientific expertise in areas such as neuroscience, AI and digital product development with existing strategic partnerships, to help deliver consistent and affordable product superiority across our brands more quickly.'
Fashion Network
19-05-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Unilever to build state-of-the-art fragrance facility in UK
FMCG giant Unilever is set to build an £80 million fragrance facility near Liverpool that will transform its longstanding facility in Port Sunlight. It should be complete in 2027, although many of its functions will start earlier than that. It's part of a £300 million package of R&D spending in Britain over the next two years. It will take in a fragrance research and innovation laboratory, a compounding facility, and testing suites, The Times reported. In terms of tech innovation, it will use robotics to blend fragrance oils and the firm's 'noses' will work with AI to develop their scents. Richard Slater, chief R&D officer at Unilever, told the newspaper: 'We're one of the world's largest buyers and users of fragrance, which are absolutely critical to the product performance of so many of our brands and categories and the consumer perception.' Even with the investment in the facility, Unilever intends to continue partnering with major fragrance houses such as DSM- Firmenich and Givaudan. The news of the plan to spend the money was actually released last year but without the Anglo-Dutch giant disclosing the location. At the time it said: 'We're investing €100 million to scale up Unilever's fragrance design and creation capabilities across our global portfolio. This supports our strategy to accelerate growth and increase productivity by allowing Unilever to gain greater control of the design and refinement of our fragrances, a key component of product formulation and consumer preference. 'Fragrance forms a vital part of many Unilever products, from indulgent shower creams to invigorating deodorants and the satisfying scents that our brands leave on freshly washed laundry. 'Historically, we've partnered with fragrance houses around the world to create the scents that consumers know and love. Such partnerships remain important to us as we move to grow our capabilities in-house which will see Unilever transition to a hybrid model, where our digitally enabled teams are involved in every step of innovation, formulating fragrances that fit perfectly with our products. 'We'll combine our own scientific expertise in areas such as neuroscience, AI and digital product development with existing strategic partnerships, to help deliver consistent and affordable product superiority across our brands more quickly.'
The Independent
12-02-2025
- The Independent
British tourists undeterred by Santorini earthquakes – but the holiday hotspot has larger problems
UK holidaymakers planning holidays in Greece are so far undeterred by the seismic activity rumbling through the Aegean, travel industry sources say. Over the past two weeks thousands of tremors have been recorded on the island of Santorini – culminating in a 5.4 magnitude earthquake on Monday evening. The Greek ministry of civil protection has declared a state of emergency for the island until 3 March. The islands of Anafi, Ios and Amorgos are also affected. Santorini 's tourist season traditionally begins at Easter, with very few British visitors currently on the island. Richard Slater, director of Henbury Travel in Macclesfield, said: 'Greece has always been a key part of our bookings, and like many, we were saddened to hear about the recent tremors affecting the island. Our thoughts are with the residents and hoteliers as they navigate these challenging times. 'Of the few clients already booked for the upcoming season, only one couple reached out with concerns. However, they expressed confidence in having booked through us, knowing that they are fully protected. Interestingly, we've noticed a slight decline in interest for Santorini over the past year. 'Santorini, traditionally a 'fly and flop' destination in the spring and autumn months, has seen some caution among travellers in peak summer. The influx of cruise ships, especially on days with multiple arrivals, has led many to seek quieter destinations. 'More guests are opting for other destinations such as Crete as well as Corfu, Skiathos, Kefalonia and Parga. We remain confident, however, that once the seismic activity subsides, Santorini will regain its appeal, and holidaymakers will eagerly return to the island.' The long-established specialist tour operator, Sunvil, is reporting strong demand. The chairman, Noel Josephides, said: 'So far we have not seen any impact on bookings to Greece, which are running a little above last year. 'Of course we have no control over the earth's machinations as we are simply observers. We hope it will quieten down and allow us to have a safe and prosperous season.' Ashley Quint, director of the Hertfordshire agency Travel Time, said: 'There doesn't seem to be a concern at the moment – possibly a bit early with the season not starting for a couple of months. 'We've had a couple of questions asked, but it's difficult to assess what impact it's going to have on the summer – and/or itineraries for cruise lines. Greece is generally doing OK otherwise, although good value for money seems to be a key driver at the moment.' According to newly published figures from the Greek Tourism Confederation, arrivals by British visitors increased 7.2 per cent in 2024 – though spending dipped by 3.9 per cent. 'Greece's tourism industry remains well-positioned, supported by a stable macroeconomic environment, competitive pricing and a strong international appeal,' the organisation concluded.
