Issue link: https://htpgraphics.uberflip.com/i/433487
57 By the 1990s the Victorian-era Cussons factory in Salford had become outdated as it could not accommodate the introduction of any further automation processes, so the company re-invested in a new manufacturing centre on land freed up by the development of an old coal mining site nearby. This enabled it to co-locate its R&D facility, which was previously located in Stockport, with manufacture on a single site, creating an increase in speed of interaction and translation between R&D, pilot and full-scale manufacture. (A feature also noted by Nanoco, see pg 48). The decision to re-invest in manufacturing in the area instead of outsourcing enabled the company to retain the skilled and trained workforce such as mechanical engineers and line operatives. There had been a variety of contacts with the University for some time. Indeed, the Zochonis Building had at one-time housed the Department of Electrical Engineering, and an early-stage incubator had been funded by the family trust which benefited from some of the profits made by the company. This is a clear example of the value placed by industrialists in the north west on academic research and teaching. PZ Cussons needs collaborations which respond to changes in the marketplace. Manchester is the second city to London on a number of fronts. That's become clear just from seeing the growth in Manchester itself, in terms of the airport. To me there aren't many negatives about the region and there's huge capacity, plenty of good sites available. And probably the most important thing is people – and good people – in the region, at all levels. As a business you can attract good talent without a doubt. The way we were: Cussons advertising from the turn of the 19th century