Health food firm to set up R&D centre in city
ACHINESE health food company is to set up its European HQ along with a manufacturing and R&D centre in Swansea creating 38 highly skilled jobs.
Acerchem International is based in Shanghai and already has links to Swansea University.
It produces a range of nutritional supplements, functional foods and beverages, beauty care and animal nutrition supplements.
The news was announced by Economy Secretary Ken Skates, who is in China on a trade mission where he met Acerchem International chairman Frank Chen, strategic director Ms Nancy Wu and global vice-president Ken Li at a business reception in Shanghai.
Mr Skates said: “It’s great news that Acerchem International has chosen to set up in Wales and is to open a manufacturing and research and development centre here, creating a significant number of skilled jobs.
“The company has a long-standing research collaboration with Swansea University which clearly illustrates the importance of building international academic links with business and industry.
“This investment, which is supported by the Welsh Government, can only serve to strengthen the ties between our two countries.
“China is an extremely important market for Wales and our trade mission this week builds on the strong economic and cultural links that have been developed over a number of years.”
The investment by Acerchem International is backed by £600,000 from the Welsh Government and will create 38 highly skilled, well-paid jobs, primarily working in R&D.
The company plans to establish its R&D facility in the Institute of Life Science at Swansea University.
Acerchem International chairman Frank Chen said: “We very much look forward to building up the business in Wales and developing even closer links with Swansea University.
“One of these five firms could be the next big thing in the life sciences market in Wales.
“Support from the Welsh Government helped fast-track this project and was vital in bringing it to Wales, and we value the support we have had from Welsh Government officials in Shanghai and in Cardiff.
“Opening this new HQ and R&D centre in Wales marks an exciting new development for the group and a great opportunity to develop and grow the business.”
CEO Jeff Jiang founded Acerchem International in Shanghai in 2007. It has grown into a multi-millionpound business and a leading group in the health and nutraceutical sectors.
The company exports to more than 40 countries with sales offices at the Institute of Life Science, Swansea University, in Japan, the Netherlands and Spain.
The company provides a diversified portfolio of fermented ingredients and has developed a sophisticated extraction and purification business unit using natural ingredients, giving products better absorption and stability.
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With an R&D centre in Shanghai, and working alongside Swansea University, it has developed its own formulations which include premix, blends, tablets, soft-gels, and others.
It plans to invest in R&D working with Welsh universities and increase its business with existing customers.