Nestlé Research & Development (R&D) Centre, Solon, Ohio

Nestlé, the food group, opened a $50 million research and development (R&D) center in Solon, Ohio in July 2015. The R&D center aims to create healthier and tastier products by combining R&D capability and nutrition science. It serves as a global Product Technology Centre (PTC) focusing on developing innovative products for Nestlé's frozen and chilled food businesses. The center features offices, laboratories, test kitchens, sensory labs, production areas, culinary center, oven technology lab, packaging and design testing areas, pilot plants, and a Consumer Connect lab. It employs a team of experts including chefs, researchers, engineers, and designers who develop R&D strategies and provide technical assistance to Nestlé's global production facilities. The center uses various technologies related to dough, sauce, pizza, microwave, taste, aroma, weight and energy management, packaging, design, consumer perception, and preference. Stellar, a design, engineering, and construction company, was awarded the design-build contract for the project and also constructed an energy plant for the R&D center.