Personal care products manufacturer PZ Cussons is to open its new manufacturing and research centre in the northwest today (July 1st).

Despite opinions that it might choose an overseas location, the company opted for Salford as the site for its £26 million innovation centre, which will provide it with more manufacturing space and will feature laboratories for new formulations, fragrances and a specialist liquid soaps research unit.

PZ Cussons is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year and already employs 430 people in the northwest, but the Salford development will add another 156 jobs to its portfolio.

Company spokesperson Anthony Green told Business Desk that the decision to have the new site in Salford "reflects the group's confidence both in the quality and dedication of our staff and in the economy of the northwest of England as a whole".

PZ Cussons was a winner at 2008's Manchester Evening News Business of the Year Awards, where it came top in the Turnover Over £50 Million (Main Listed Companies) category.