Back in April, James Robinson Speciality Ingredients (JRSI) opened a new state-of-the-art office and warehouse space in Huddersfield. It comes following the recent launch of its biotechnology R&D facility in Manchester, to develop and produce sustainable natural ingredients for its international customer base. The new 4,000 sq. ft Leeds Road facility, with 3,000 sq. ft dedicated to warehousing space, marks JRSI’s return to its roots, with the business originally founded and based at the same site at Hillhouse Lane in 1840. Developing ingredients for the hair colourant, personal care and vision care industries, the company began as James Robinson and Co in 1840.
It was procured by Vivimed Labs Ltd. in 2008, rebranding to James Robinson Speciality Ingredients in 2019 following a management buy-out.
Alongside its technically strong Manchester Hexagon Tower R&D, QC & Application lab facilities, the Huddersfield site will be home to the administration team, working across sales & marketing, finance, customer service and logistics. JRSI currently serves customers across the globe and the new site will enable the business to meet rapidly growing customer demand for its personal care and photochromic developments, in domestic and international markets.
The Huddersfield team will be headed by Naieem Rahim, Group Finance Director at JRSI, who said: “Huddersfield is the birthplace of the James Robinson brand, and now, as a global enterprise, we are
excited to bring the business back to where it started. It felt right to return to where it began, reconnecting with our roots at such an exciting time of growth for the company. “With over 100 years’ experience in the industry under our belt, we are excited for this next chapter for the business, and we look forward to growing our team, expanding our product portfolio and continuing to deliver exceptional work for some of the biggest names in our industries.”
