Vax invests £1m in new R&D laboratories

The facilities at 2 Colmore Square will house laboratories and product development workshops to improve the performance of Vax's vacuum cleaner, steam cleaner and carpet washer ranges and to create all-new designs incorporating the latest Vax technologies. These new projects will focus on developing innovative machines that are bagless and cordless. Due for completion in September, this development is the latest phase of Vax's UK expansion and follows the opening of a purpose-built 231,420 sq ft storage and distribution centre at Stonebridge Cross in Worcestershire in August. Together the two sites accommodate a workforce that has doubled in size in the past three years in parallel with rapid growth in market share. During this time Vax significantly increased its investment in R&D, created new engineering roles and expanded the size of the product development team by 150%. James Holdgate (pictured), Vax head of new product development, said: "Upgrading our R&D facilities will enable us to develop new products that exceed our customers' every expectation. As our inclusion in the 2014 'Sunday Times Top 100 best companies to work for' list illustrates, we're also committed to providing our employees with inspiring workplaces."