DEERFIELD, ILLINOIS, U.S. — Mondelez International on Sept. 14 unveiled plans to invest $65 million to build a global Research, Development & Quality (RDQ) network. Mondelez said the investment will enable it to better recruit, retain and develop talent across a range of science and technical areas while also creating a stronger presence in both emerging and developed markets.

Once completed, the RDQ network will consist of a combination of new and existing technical centers that will be “more flexible and agile in responding to the company’s growth and innovation needs,” according to Mondelez.

Over the next two years, Mondelez will focus its RDQ network at nine technical centers, concentrating people and resources into better equipped hubs:

• Mexico City, Mexico

• East Hanover, New Jersey, U.S.

• Bournville, United Kingdom

• Reading, United Kingdom

• Wroclaw, Poland

• Thane, India

• Suzhou, China

• Jurong, Singapore

• Curitiba, Brazil

“With these advantaged technical centers, we’re focusing our investment in research, equipment and capabilities to drive innovation to support our growth strategy and innovation, margin and quality platforms,” said Rob Hargrove, executive vice-president, RDQ. “These hubs will enable improved efficiency, effectiveness and accelerated project delivery, while the increased scale across key markets will provide rapid access to changing consumer needs and trends.”