Colworth Science Park occupier Unilever R&D celebrates 60 years at Colworth
27 June 2011
Unilever R&D at Colworth is marking 60 years since the research facilities on site were formally opened. On Wednesday 27th June 1951 a specially chartered train left St Pancras station, London taking its invited passengers to an open day and luncheon at the new Unilever Food Research Centre at Colworth House, Sharnbrook.
The guests who included industrial, university and government scientists and the media were invited by Sir Geoffrey Heyworth (Chairman of Lever Bros and Unilever Limited) to tour Unilever’s fourth research centre and its facilities for research into food technology, horticulture and animal nutrition. Newspaper clippings from the time stated the ambition was that Colworth would help Britain bridge the gap between the demand for and the supply of food.
Since then Unilever R&D at Colworth has gone on to become one of Unilever’s six strategic R&D centres with over 600 employees from 30 different nationalities. It is home to global development centres for ice cream and beverages, a large research group and Unilever’s experts in safety and environmental assurance. The Unilever labs enjoy the unique distinction within Unilever R&D of being situated on a science park and thereby part of a true innovation eco-system where collaboration and open innovation can flourish.
Speaking on this anniversary Jim Crilly (Unilever Site Leader) said “At this major anniversary of the first Unilever buildings on site I reflect with pride on the history of great science, creative people and powerful innovation at Colworth .I'm reminded of the words spoken by the Chairman Geoffrey Heyworth at the opening ceremony when he described Colworth as ‘a brave new concept for the future’. And here we are 60 years on continuing to enrich the heritage of innovation. The recent opening of the Exchange Building signifies another milestone in the evolution of Colworth from research laboratory to 21st century science park where as always science means business. Those words spoken back then on the 27th June 1951 still ring as true today."
Colworth’s heritage of innovation includes breakthrough technologies such as the home pregnancy test kit, pyramid tea bags, a range of healthier, great tasting and exciting ice creams as well as the HeartAge tool to support behaviour change.