Valent U.S.A. has opened a new state-of-the-art facility in San Ramon, called the North American Innovation Center (NAIC), that physically unites employees from its California technical center in Dublin and headquarters in Walnut Creek. The nearly 100,000 square-foot hub for research and development and headquarter operations for North America is custom-designed to enhance collaboration and innovation. The new site will allow Valent U.S.A. to bring sustainable agriculture solutions and professional products to market with greater speed and effectiveness.
A subsidiary of Sumitomo Chemical, Valent U.S.A. provides unique biorational and traditional grower-focused crop protection solutions for both row and specialty crops in the U.S., Mexico and Canada. Valent also develops products for professional turf, ornamental and aquatic uses and has maintained operations in the Bay Area for more than 30 years. Its investment in the NAIC is expected to generate immediate efficiencies and long-term savings, while advancing a research pipeline for future innovations.
“We’ve brought the diversity, skills and expertise of our laboratory scientists and regulatory, marketing, finance and operations people together under one roof,” says Matt Plitt, executive vice president and chief operating officer, Valent U.S.A. “It’s now easier for our newly centralized team to share information in real time, even face to face, which will boost our efficiency, agility, creativity and, ultimately, benefit the farmers in the field.”
The eco-friendly design of the North American Innovation Center (NAIC) is focused on sustainable practices, including energy efficiency and indoor environmental quality. Outfitted with advanced safety systems and equipment, and key safeguards in response to COVID-19, the NAIC reflects the company’s commitment to sustainability and providing a safe and healthy work environment for employees. In addition to cutting-edge research labs and modern offices, the facility houses 47 conference, project, huddle and focus rooms. The NAIC opened August 3, 2020.
