Briefing: FLEXcon's R&D Center

PHOTO/MATT PILON FLEXcon's facility in Spencer

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Last week, company officials from Spencer-based FLEXcon gathered to celebrate the opening of the pressure-sensitive films and adhesives maker's newest building on its campus: a technology and innovation center.

Why did FLEXcon build the center?

Chief Operations Officer Michael Engel said at the ceremony, during which a plaque dedicating the center to CEO Neil McDonough was unveiled, that FLEXcon officials had been talking about the concept for the past four years.

Engel said the hope is that the new facility will help workers discover new applications and adhesive products as well as develop product for its emerging markets, such as solar photovoltaic films.

How big is the building and what does it include?

The center measures 20,000 square feet and is equipped with labs, testing areas, work tables and other equipment. It's set back off Route 9 near South Spencer Road. Worcester-based Cutler Associates, which managed construction, broke ground on the site last summer.

FLEXcon, which is a private company, declined to disclose the construction price. The company has more than 1,000 employees around the world and $300 million in annual sales, according to its website.

What does the CEO think?

McDonough said the investment in the center demonstrates his company's commitment to continue manufacturing in Spencer, where it was founded in 1956.

Until now, the company's scientists were spread across several buildings, and unable to collaborate in one space with each other and with machine operators. But no longer.

"Our scientists will all be in the same building bouncing ideas off each other," McDonough said. "We couldn't be competitive manufacturing in first-world countries unless we brought more innovation to our current products and to our future products." n