Kenvue Inc. welcomed Gov. Phil Murphy, Summit Mayor Elizabeth Fagan and other public officials on March 19 to unveil the consumer health company’s new 290,000-square-foot global headquarters at 1 Kenvue Way in Summit. — Photos by Jake Hirsch/Governor’s Office
By Joshua Burd
Kenvue Inc. has taken the wraps off its new 290,000-square-foot global headquarters in Summit, with construction underway on a second facility as part of a revamped pharmaceutical campus.
The consumer health giant, a spinoff of Johnson & Johnson and the maker of iconic brands like Tylenol, Listerine and Band-Aid, welcomed Gov. Phil Murphy and other officials on Wednesday to unveil the new building off Morris Avenue and mark its move from the Skillman section of Montgomery. It noted that the space brings together teams that had been spread across seven U.S. locations, with new product development areas such as a 270-degree virtual experience room that mimics a retail environment, allowing real-time feedback on in-store execution.
Kenvue is leasing the building from Onyx Equities under a high-profile deal announced in 2023, helping to repopulate the former Celgene Corp. campus about a mile from Summit’s popular downtown. It’s also set to occupy a 100,000-square-foot science and innovation lab that’s under construction and slated to open next year at the property, now known as Summit East.
The campus’ leasing team includes JLL’s Jim Medenbach, Tim Greiner and Blake Goodman.
“There is no better place to unlock the full potential of our iconic brands than in the state many of our brands have proudly called home for more than 135 years,” Kenvue CEO Thibaut Mongon said. “Our thoughtfully designed campus, brings together our iconic brands and our people under one roof, allowing us to innovate, drive growth and realize the extraordinary power of everyday care for more people in New Jersey and around the world.”
SLIDESHOW: Kenvue's new headquarters in Summit
Kenvue noted that its team designed the building with sustainability and flexibility in mind, touting outside workspaces with ergonomic furniture, Wi-Fi and power throughout. The headquarters also boasts a double-height, light-flooded atrium known as Main Street that is filled with abundant, diverse seating options, as well as a store that allows visitors and employees to buy their favorite products.
While the R&D lab is still under construction, the new office building is home to spaces such as the virtual store and an on-site sensory lab where products can be rigorously tested to gather consumer feedback and reactions in real time, Kenvue said. There’s also a design lab, where the company uses prototyping and 3D and 2D modeling equipment to create customized, brand-focused packaging solutions and show its products’ design journey through multiple stages of development.
“I am thrilled to welcome Kenvue as they establish their home in Summit, cementing the company’s commitment to building the future of consumer health right here in the Garden State,” Murphy said. “This new headquarters exemplifies my administration’s commitment to making New Jersey a destination for world-class companies that are driving innovation.”
Murphy, who has championed the state’s life sciences industry during his two terms, was on hand alongside Summit Mayor Elizabeth Fagan and other state and local officials.
“Today marks a significant milestone for Summit as we celebrate the ribbon cutting of Kenvue global headquarters,” Fagan said. “Their commitment to innovation and excellence not only enriches our community but also positions Summit as a hub for cutting-edge advancements in consumer health. We are excited to welcome Kenvue to our city and look forward to the positive impact they will have on our residents and beyond.”
U.S. Rep. Tom Kean added: “Boosting innovation at home is incredibly important and New Jersey’s reputation as a leader in this space continues to grow by welcoming Kenvue’s global headquarters and research hub to Summit. The cutting-edge work done here will benefit families across our country and fuel the local economy here in Union County.”
