On Tuesday 18 October 2022, FUJIFILM UK Limited opened its new strategic UK headquarters in Bedford, where company operations have been based for almost 40 years.
In a nod to the company’s Japanese heritage, the new headquarters, called Fujifilm House and located on a new development at Whitbread Way, off Cardington Road, were officially opened with a traditional Japanese Kagami Biraki ceremony – in which the lid of a sake barrel is smashed open to represent good fortune, harmony and new beginnings.
Mayor Dave Hodgson (Bedford Borough Council), Minister Kyoichiro Kawakami (Japanese Embassy in the UK), Roz Campion (Office for Life Sciences) joined Tom Watanabe and Duncan Edgar (Fujifilm UK) in a Kagami Biraki ceremony.
The fusion of Fujifilm’s long-standing presence in Bedford and its Japanese heritage is represented throughout the building’s design, most prominently through the shoji screens adorning the exterior, which are inspired by Bedford’s lacemaking history.
Tom Watanabe, Managing Director at FUJIFILM UK Limited said:
“In our 46-year history in the UK, Fujifilm has had a home in Bedford for nearly 40 of those years. Today, we bring all our skilled colleagues working across various business fields under one roof where, together, we hold the opportunities of innovation.
“It is from Fujifilm House that we will continue to contribute to our communities in Bedford, the United Kingdom and Ireland, and around the world. I truly believe that the innovators of today, and leaders of tomorrow, are here in Bedford – and I am so excited when I think what this next chapter at Fujifilm holds for us.”
Mayor Dave Hodgson of Bedford Borough Council added:
“We’re delighted to have Fujifilm opening their new UK headquarters, which will bring investment in technology and the sciences to Bedford Borough. We are excited to continue the great working relationship we have with them moving forward.”
Since the company began operating in the UK in 1976, Fujifilm has diversified its products and services by leveraging its imaging and information technology from business areas such as photography, print and inks to also build its global presence in healthcare.
Attendees at the opening were invited on tours of Fujifilm House, making a stop at the Aneurin ‘Nye’ Bevan Demo Suite where Fujifilm’s broad healthcare portfolio across medical imaging and community diagnostics were showcased.
Addressing attendees at the opening event, Roz Campion, Director of the Office for Life Sciences said:
“I am pleased to have the opportunity to celebrate the value of innovation your company brings to the UK across the entire economy. I see the strong and positive relationship between the UK and Fujifilm as a microcosm of the lasting partnership between the UK and Japan.
“As Director of the Office for Life Sciences, I know for a fact that the contributions of Fujifilm to make the Life Sciences Vision a reality is invaluable. I look forward to building on these partnerships.”
Continuing their tours, attendees then viewed a unique exhibition titled A Force For Good. The exhibition highlights some of Fujifilm’s recent impacts across its UK workforce, national and local charity partners and creative industries, demonstrating its contribution to Fujifilm Group’s Sustainable Value Plan 2030, which sets out further measure to resolve social issues through global business activities.
Fujifilm House stands three stories tall on Whitbread Way, off Cardington Road.
Attendees were also witness to several sustainability initiatives in place across the building, built in partnership with Graftongate, Southill Estate, principal contractors MCS Group and Lewis Berkeley. In line with Fujifilm’s commitment to a greener, cleaner way of working, an array of 80 solar panels on the roof will save 29 tons of CO2 emissions each year, the rainwater recycling and storage system flushes toilets across all three floors, and tens of electric vehicle charging points accommodate the company’s evolving fleet.
Colin Beasley of Graftongate said:
“We are delighted to have worked with Southill Estate, Fujifilm UK, and Bedford Borough Council to deliver this outstanding building and sustainable working environment.’’
Home to over 300 staff, the BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) ‘Excellent’ building seeks to nurture the ground on which it stands, with bee hotels and bat boxes residing in biodiverse landscaping and continuing to build on its partnership with The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire to develop further ways to give back to local environment into the future.
Charles Whitbread of Southill Estate commented:
“The Estate is proud to deliver this attractive environmentally efficient building which cements Fujifilm’s relationship with the Bedford area.”
Fujifilm UK looks forward to strengthening its relationship with the community as the company and its colleagues continue to innovate and grow from Fujifilm House.
For further information, contact:
Rhiannon Berriman
Corporate Communications Executive
Email: rhiannon.berriman@fujifilm.com
Tel: +44 (0)7464 923058