Bostik's new Smart Technology Center in Venette, France.

Bostik has officially opened its state-of-the-art R&D Smart Technology Center, in Venette, located near Paris.

“This world-class R&D center—alongside its counterparts in Milwaukee and Shanghai—strengthens our global research and development capacities,” said Bernard Pinatel, Bostik chairman and CEO, at the opening ceremony. “Our R&D centers all are innovation-driven and focus on developing smart adhesives. This center of excellence for adhesive materials is located in an environment where innovation is stimulated by the joint presence of businesses, universities and the regional research cluster on bio-based chemicals.”

Mike Jenkins, business director, consumer and construction business unit at Bostik's North American headquarters in Wauwatosa, Wis., added, "We draw upon the fact that Bostik has such a strong global footprint in cutting-edge research. For example, here in the states, where wood flooring consumption is so widespread, our R&D people have great access to that segment of the building products sector. In Europe, (where a typical consumer purchases eight to nine times more tile for both floors and walls than what is consumed by those in the states) via our R&D center in France, we have that same advantage. All of this up-to-date worldwide market information goes into the constant development of new and more efficient surfacing installation materials—which results in our customers being a stronger resource for theirs." 

The Bostik Smart Technology Center was designed to facilitate collaboration and foster an open-minded approach, said the company.

Facts and Figures

• Property surface area: 67,000 square feet

• Building surface area: 16,400 square feet

• Sustainable construction: built according to low energy consumption standards 

• Maximum capacity: 150 employees

• Current workforce: 105 employees

• Since 2011, 30% of Bostik's new hires have been those for R&D

• Total investment: $15,170,000 

For more information, visit bostik-us.com.