BAT Opens First Phase of New Research Facilities

Source from:  Tobacco Reporter 03/25/2010

The first phase of British American Tobacco's redevelopment of its research facilities at Southampton, UK, was officially opened yesterday by the city's mayor, Elizabeth Mizon. BAT has so far spent three years and £17 million on the project and the second phase will see it spending another £6 million equipping the facilities during the next 15 months. The approximately 60 people who attended the opening were told by Peter Taylor, director, operations, that BAT spends £112 million annually on research, more than half of that at Southampton, where it now employs about 1,000 people, 400 of whom are scientists. But despite this huge investment, progress in harm reduction, the main focus at Southampton during the past four years, is likely to be slow, especially in respect of combustible products. Ian Brown, head of Group R&D, told the guests that his scientists said that what they did was not rocket science - it was far more difficult. Enditem