New R&D Campus for PMI at Neuchatel

Source from:  Tobacco Reporter 05/31/2009

May 29, 2009-Philip Morris International yesterday officially opened its new Research & Development Campus at Neuchatel, Switzerland, which will house more than 400 scientists, specialists and administrative staff. PMI has invested more than CHF120 million developing the new campus, which brings together laboratories and employees previously spread across three locations in Neuchatel and Fribourg. The 36,500 square meter campus comprises three independent laboratory and office sections all encased in a single glass structure. Meeting areas, terraces, gardens and social meeting points create an environment which fosters interaction and innovation. At the opening, held at the lakeside building on Quai Jeanrenaud, PMI's COO, André Calantzopoulos, told officials from the federal and cantonal authorities and from the city of Neuchatel that the new building reinforced his company's commitment to the city and the canton, where it had been established for 46 years. "I would like to thank the city and cantonal authorities for their support in helping us realize the completion of this important project," he said. "One of the company's primary goals is to reduce the harm caused by tobacco products by researching and developing products with the potential to reduce the risk of tobacco-related disease. The investment in this new state-of-the-art facility will help us achieve that objective." PMI said that a major focus of the project was to create world-class facilities using an environmentally sensitive design. Two key features of the building were the double glazed façade and the glazed atrium roofs, which allowed for heating in the winter via passive solar energy and cooling in the summer through natural ventilation. In addition, lake water was used for the cooling system of the building, thereby reducing the environmental footprint of the new facility. "We wanted to create an environment that would build community spirit and drive interaction, innovation and creativity among our employees and enable us to achieve our business objectives," said Dr. Doug Dean, senior vice president, Research & Development. "Our new campus is a place where our employees can enjoy the experience of coming to work and which encourages creativity and innovation." Design of the project was led by HRS Burckhardt+Partner SA of Zurich and construction by HRS Hauser Rutishauser Suter SA of Frauenfeld. More than 2,800 architects, designers, engineers, builders and suppliers have been involved in the project during the past three years. Enditem