Smith+Nephew announced that it is to build a new R&D and manufacturing facility for its Advanced Wound Management franchise on the outskirts of Hull, UK. Smith+Nephew will invest more than $100 million to create a world-class R&D, manufacturing and flexible office environment. The development will also be supported by a grant from UK Government.

The new facility is expected to support more than $10 billion of sales in its first ten years of operation. Subject to planning approval, the new facility will be at Melton West business park (HU14 3RS) approximately eight miles from Smith+Nephew's current Hull site, which it will replace and where they have been located for more than 100 years. The Advanced Wound Management R&D programme will benefit from advanced laboratories better able to support the development of new technologies to satisfy unmet clinical needs.

This ensures that the UK remains one of the world's leading wound care R&D locations. Manufacturing will focus on the production of high-technology products, supporting the fast and efficient launches of new products, and manufacturing complex materials used across Smith+Nephew's portfolio. The new facility will be designed to high sustainability standards with a focus on energy and resource efficiency.

Working with regulators, they will utilize the Best Available Techniques within their processes to minimize or prevent impact to the environment from their operations. Melton West business park is the closest available suitable site to their current Hull facility. It offers the size and established infrastructure to accommodate the new facility and is allocated under the East Riding of Yorkshire Local Plan for developments of this kind.

The new site is expected to open in 2024. Smith+Nephew worked closely with Hull City Council but unfortunately were unable to find an appropriately sized and deliverable site within the city. Smith+Nephew is committed to continuing to work with the City Council and other stakeholders regarding future options for the current Hull site.