UL Global Fire Science Center of Excellence Named 2026 Northbrook Business of the Year
January 26, 2026
Fire safety has always been a central mission of UL Solutions, ever since the founding of the company in 1894 as the Underwriters Electrical Bureau. Now the global company is making one of the largest laboratory investments in its history with plans for its Global Fire Science Center of Excellence. It marks a new milestone in the relationship between UL Solutions and the community where the organization has operated since the 1950s and has been headquartered since 1979.
The Global Fire Science Center project encompasses a multi-building complex on UL Solutions’ Pfingsten Road campus, with both applied research labs and innovative testing capabilities. Groundbreaking took place in August 2025, with plans to open in phases until mid-2027.
In the new facility, UL Solutions will serve global customers by evaluating the performance of a wide variety of fire safety products, including water-saving extinguishing systems, energy-saving ventilation products, energy-efficient exterior wall design, and fluorine-free extinguishing foam systems. Once operational, the facility is expected to serve as a pivotal resource for products originating in North America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
In addition to helping reduce fire risks globally, UL Solutions’ investment in the center will have positive impacts for Northbrook’s economic climate. Already one of the Village’s largest employers, the center will be a hub to attract new professional talent. A central feature of the facility will be its applied research and development (R&D) section, where UL Solutions’ safety science experts will collaborate directly with manufacturers, consultants, trade associations and standards committees. These R&D efforts will draw a variety of specialists from around the world to the Northbrook campus.
UL Solutions’ continued investment builds on a legacy that includes more than 50 years of participation in the Northbrook Chamber. The company supports the Chamber through generous sponsorships and has a long history of participation on the Board of Directors, which currently includes Chuck Gerhardt, senior facilities manager at UL Solutions. The annual Leadership Northbrook program includes unique access to UL Solutions’ facilities, giving participants insight into the scope of services provided by this global company.
Jennifer Scanlon, President and CEO of UL Solutions, speaks at the groundbreaking for the Global Fire Safety Center of Excellence.
“Our Northbrook headquarters has long been the nucleus of our fire safety expertise,” said Jennifer Scanlon, president and CEO of UL Solutions. “This investment in a new, state-of-the-art center of excellence will extend our commitment to protecting people and property for generations to come.”
"UL’s impact on Northbrook’s business community is significant and enduring," noted Northbrook Village President Kathryn Ciesla. "For more than 70 years, the company has been a global leader in product safety, innovation, and sustainability while remaining involved in and supportive of the local community. Bringing the Global Fire Science Center of Excellence to Northbrook is a tangible demonstration of UL’s commitment to the Village through its continued investment and growth."