Hull looks likely to benefit from a major new investment by RB as it ramps up production following the coronavirus outbreak.
The city’s role in bringing forward Dettol was flagged up by global chief executive Laxman Narasimhan last week as the Hull-founded world leader launched an initial £32 million fund, now it looks like additional capacity - and potential for more jobs - could be being lined up.
As part of the announcement, with the pot to benefit from an annual profit split to help improve access to products, education and information, the CEO told how it is “examining further investments to increase capacity of critical products such as disinfectants, sanitisers, soaps and surface cleaners”.
RB has only just opened a £105 million new Science and Innovation Centre at the sprawling Dansom Lane site, and those close to the launch “expected” the city could step up once again.
Mr Narasimhan said: “We have a 200 year history of making a material difference to the lives of our consumers. Dettol was born 70 years ago in Hull, with the ambition of improving maternal health. Dettol took on the challenge in 1932 to reduce the incidence of sepsis by 50 per cent. Lysol was first introduced in 1889 and has played a part in major public health challenges ever since.
“Our brands have a critical role to play in promoting hygiene and health in the fight against the current Covid-19 pandemic. I have been witness to heroic efforts across the company to live our purpose and our fight. I am in awe of the ‘can do’ attitude across the RB organisation and the relentless pursuit by my colleagues to make the world cleaner and healthier.
“We recognise that consumers and customers are facing shortages for some of our products with this unprecedented demand. We are doing all we can to meet demand while protecting the safety of our people and following local rules. In 2020, we are examining further investments to increase capacity of critical products such as disinfectants, sanitisers, soaps and surface cleaners.”
Global initiatives have been rolled out, building on the initial £6 million donation when it first emerged in China. RB is now working with governments, national medical associations and other stakeholders to deliver public service campaigns to educate consumers on handwashing and sanitation in Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, UAE, and Vietnam.
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A total of 15 million face masks have been donated to the Covid-19 cause, with a focus on pharmacists and health care workers across all major markets. RB is also providing 10 million bars of Dettol soap to the most vulnerable.
The RB Fight for Access Fund to improve access to health, hygiene and nutrition for all, and will see a commitment to ring fence annual investment of 1 per cent of profits.
“RB has mobilised an additional £32 million as part of our RB Fight for Access Fund to address our collective fight against the spread of Covid-19,” Mr Narasimhan said. Our immediate focus is to address the stress faced by our consumers and communities where we operate, to break the chain of infection.”
As reported, it has also partnered with the Economist Intelligence Unit, along with other public health experts, to create the myth-busting website in the fight against what the World Health Organisation has coined as the ‘Infodemic’ or the spread of misinformation.
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Mr Narasimhan added that RB is “continuing to examine other initiatives to support through our brands because we believe we can use our voice as a force for good.”
Last summer RB bought a 4.7 acre plot close to its Hull site. The derelict land, on the corner of Cleveland Street and Chapman Street, lay disused until developer Allenby Commercial acquired it, completing initial groundworks before being approached.
Confirming the acquisition at the time, RB said: “Whilst there are currently no definitive plans for the land, the purchase demonstrates the company’s commitment to the Hull site and provides flexibility around its future operations in the city.
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“Hull is the birthplace of the original Reckitt business - established 1840 - and is a key site for the company’s multi-million-pound innovation pipeline and global manufacturing operations.”
RB employs 1,400 people in Hull.