Procter & Gamble opens its second European development centre in Rakovník

One of Procter & Gamble’s most important European technology centres has opened at the company’s local subsidiary, Rakona in Rakovník. The centre was ceremoniously opened today by Wendy Coppenrath, director of a similar centre in Brussels, together with representatives of CzechInvest. Specialist employees in the Rakovník centre will develop new technologies, production processes and equipment which the company will then use directly in its other plants’ production, primarily in Central and Eastern Europe.

“The development centre will employ at least thirty specialists, mainly in the areas of chemical technology, mechanical engineering and electronics. Procter & Gamble wants to hire most of them directly in the Czech Republic,” says Alexandra Rudyšarová, acting CEO of CzechInvest. “In addition, the technology centre will be set up in a formerly abandoned building in the Rakona complex which has undergone complete renovation since last July. Procter & Gamble has thus converted a derelict brownfield into a revitalised modern building filled with cutting-edge technology.”

“The rapid growth of economies in Central and Eastern Europe requires ever faster innovation of technologies and entire production plants. The Czech Republic offered ideal conditions for establishing a new technology centre, as Rakona is one of our most important plants, not only in Europe,” explains Ivan Krejčí of Procter & Gamble. “Procter & Gamble has long invested in ecology and our goal is for production that is as environmentally friendly as possible. Thus, the development of ecological technologies will comprise the main part of the technology centre’s work.”

The development centre at Rakona in Rakovník is the company’s first such centre in Central and Eastern Europe. Procter & Gamble’s other technology centre’s are located in the United States, Belgium, Japan and Mexico. According to the investor’s plans, the development centre should be fully operational within three years. Procter & Gamble is investing more than CZK 10 million in the centre. “Of course, the company will get back part of the operating costs thanks to the fact that it is applying for support from the national Framework Programme for Support of Technology Centres and Centres of Business Support Services, which is intended for financing projects involving research and development,” adds Rudyšarová.

For more information please contact CzechInvest's Public Relations Department. 

MORE ABOUT PROCTER & GAMBLE:

Procter & Gamble entered the Czech market in 1990. It currently employs more than 700 workers at its Rakona plant in Rakovník. The company’s most well-known brands include Ariel, Tide and Bonux washing detergents; Lenor fabric softener; Jar and Mr. Proper household cleaners and Old Spice, Secret and Gillette antiperspirants and deodorants. The company also produces Pampers disposable diapers; Head & Shoulders and Pantene Pro-V shampoos; Always, Discreet and Tampax feminine hygiene products; Wella hair cosmetics; Hugo Boss cologne; Laura Biagotti perfume and Max Factor makeup. Procter & Gamble recently expanded its portfolio with the addition of products under the Braun, Duracell, Oral-B and Gillette brands.

CONTACT TO PROCTER & GAMBLE: Ivan Krejčí, tel.: 221 804 362, e-mail: krejci.i@pg.com, www.procter-gamble.cz