Sika is further expanding its research and development activities. In the presence of His Royal Highness, Prince Edward Duke of Kent, Sika has opened a state-of-the-art research facility in Preston in northwest England. Sika employs around 800 staff in 20 technology centers around the world.
"We are establishing a leading-edge technology center in the area of liquid roofing in our new research and development center in Preston", comments Sika CEO Jan Jenisch. "Sika possesses outstanding expertise in this area. We aim to further develop this to the benefit of our global Sika subsidiaries and their customers."
Following the acquisition of Liquid Plastics and Incorez in the UK in 2009, Sika has continued to invest in this area of its business with the aim of guaranteeing the development of technologically advanced and environmentally friendly liquid roofing membranes, while also pressing ahead with new developments in its product technologies. Sika is leading the global field with these products.
Construction work on the new research and development center began one year ago on the site of an existing 100-year old warehouse. The new center is twice as large as the previous structure, covering more than a thousand square meters. The research center's activities will focus on 30 Sika products, including the roof waterproofing and interior floor coatings. During a guided tour of the laboratory, the Duke of Kent was able to see Sika chemists at work and learned more about the groundwork and applied research that takes place in Preston.
The new facility in Preston represents one of twelve Sika research centers in Europe. There are five further R&D centers in Asia and three in the Americas. In 2013, Sika invested CHF 166.1 million – 3.2% of sales – in research and development. With 73 patent applications in the past year, Sika is one of the most innovative companies in Switzerland.
