Oriflame in Bray, Co Wicklow, is to add 35 new high tech, scientific jobs

This new facility is evidence of Oriflame’s commitment to retain and further develop this knowledge and experience which has been built up over the past 29 years. We were thrilled when the Board of Oriflame Cosmetics further invested in Ireland as the location for this Research and Development Centre.

Ms Mary Lord, R&D Director of the Oriflame in Ireland

11/11/2008

Oriflame Global Technical Centre
Ireland’s only dedicated cosmetics R&D facility expands

Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation Jimmy Devins TD at the official opening of a new state-of-the-art Centre for Oriflame Cosmetics, the direct selling Swedish cosmetics company, at Bray, Co Wicklow, today (11th November 2008) announced that the €2.4 million investment is to add 35 new high-tech scientific jobs at the facility. This will bring employment from its current level of 92 scientists to 127 over the next five years. The investment is supported by Government through IDA Ireland.

The new facility will be Oriflame’s Cosmetics Centre-of-excellence for product research and development and includes regulatory affairs and product safety activities. The facility incorporates the new Ori-derm clinical testing suite, where newly developed products are tested on a panel of volunteers to prove product performance and efficacy. The facility was first opened in 2000, employing 28 scientists, with the original plan being to expand to 50, that original mandate has been well surpassed.

Minister Devins TD said “this highly strategic investment is excellent news as it is a significant recognition of the Bray Centre and a substantial enhancement of its integral role in the global business of the Group. It very much fits in with the next wave of foreign direct investment projects for Ireland and I welcome its location in Bray, where it will act as a showcase in assisting IDA Ireland to attract similar R&D activities to this country. The Bray management and workforce are to be congratulated for the reputation their facility has achieved – a major factor in the winning of this investment. The new jobs are extremely welcome as they offer very high quality employment opportunities, while the investment further consolidates the existing operation and employment in Bray.”

Ms Mary Lord, R&D Director of the Oriflame in Ireland, said the company has invested significant resources in the development of technical expertise and innovation in Ireland. “This new facility is evidence of Oriflame’s commitment to retain and further develop this knowledge and experience which has been built up over the past 29 years. We were thrilled when the Board of Oriflame Cosmetics further invested in Ireland as the location for this Research and Development Centre. It emphasises the confidence that the board has in the competency and commitment of the staff in Ireland to meet the needs of the company going forward,” she said.

Mr Magnus Brännström, CEO of Oriflame Cosmetics, said the board of Directors was delighted to further invest in this new facility and continue its long relationship with Ireland.

Oriflame was established in 1967 in Sweden and has expanded globally to trade in 60 countries worldwide. It had an annual turnover of €1.109 billion in 2007. The company has a presence in Ireland since 1979 when it opened a manufacturing facility in Sandyford.

Oriflame Cosmetics globally markets a full range of cosmetic products. Its main products include skin care, colour cosmetics, personal care, fragrances and most recently nutritional supplements. The company has a very active programme of new product development which will be carried out in Bray.

For further information contact:
Oriflame - Media Enquiries Only
Sharon Plunkett / Fiona Dunning,
Plunkett Communications,
Tel: 01 280 7873 / 087 8260833

Oriflame - General Enquiries
Oriflame Ltd, Southern Cross Road, Bray, Co. Wicklow
Tel: 01 2723300

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment –
Press Office, Tel: 01- 6312200
Roisin McCann, Mob: 0872594144

IDA Ireland –
Brendan Kenny, Press Officer, Tel: 087 9036126