Unilever has sealed a two-year extension of its corporate membership with a Liverpool-based global innovation hub in a move aimed at driving innovation in the city.
The agreement will see Knowledge Quarter-based Sensor City deliver an enhanced package of support for the consumer products giant, including technical project delivery, access to student and academic researchers, and opportunities for collaboration.
Sensor City said the renewed relationship was a "welcome move" amid the current economic climate, and will look to strengthen industry and academic engagement in the region.
With the region’s technology, science and digital sectors set to play a prominent role in the city’s economic recovery following the current pandemic, the firm said continued investment from "global players" like Unilever into Liverpool City Region was "crucial" to its resurgence.
Louise Goodman, business and innovations manager at Sensor City, said: “We are delighted to be continuing our relationship with Unilever and building on the proven value that our engineers and business support teams can offer.
“Working with high profile companies like Unilever adds another dimension to our dynamic business community and we look forward to supporting Unilever’s innovation agenda over the next two years.”
Helen Brannon, research and development manager at Unilever, said: “At Unilever, our vision is simple: to make sustainable living commonplace. We’re convinced that the businesses that thrive in the future will be those that serve society today.
“Hence, we are always looking for innovative ways to collaborate with external partners within our local ecosystem, to simultaneously grow our business whilst supporting local businesses and Universities.
“Together we can grow and achieve good science.
“Our membership of Sensor City enables us access to rapid prototyping facilities, potential collaborations with SME companies hosted at Sensor City as well as access to future talent through potential projects with the students of Sensor City."
Sensor City's corporate membership packages are tailored for each company using a suite of responsive benefits, aimed at providing flexibility in the current climate of uncertainty.
Unilever’s package of support will be delivered through a call on/call off package, ensuring a fast response to new opportunities for innovation and provide agility to meet the demands of its business objectives.
The initial framework of activity will focus on access to Liverpool City Region’s student and academic talent, integration into the local start-up ecosystem and collaboration opportunities with Sensor City’s partner universities.
Additionally, technical support through Sensor City’s multi-disciplinary engineering team and their £1m laboratory facilities will provide Unilever with access to rapid prototyping and creative R&D capabilities in the heart of Liverpool.
