Unilever opens a new production centre for personal care and beauty products in the Philippines. The British multinational has made an investment of 80 million euros. Unilever expects production, thanks to this new centre, to increase by 15%, in addition to increasing local employment and being able to meet the growing demand in the region.
Last 22 September, the President of the Philippines himself inaugurated one of Unilever's largest Beauty, Wellness and Personal Care (BWPC) factories in Southeast Asia. Unilever has invested 4.7 billion Philippine pesos (80 million euros) in this state-of-the-art facility, which will increase production of Sunsilk and Creamsilk hair care products and Rexona and Dove deodorant lines by 15%.
"Our investment in the new factory is anchored in our focus on meeting the needs of consumers and our customers," says Unilever Philippines President and CEO Benjie Yap, "Emerging markets contribute 59% of Unilever's global revenue and the Philippines remains an important market and growth driver for the company," said Benjie Yap. The Philippines has become one of Unilever's largest markets in the world, while demand for beauty and personal care products has been growing steadily.
The exact location of the new centre is Cavite and the move is part of a growing industrial development to move closer to key suppliers and its own distribution centre. The move will speed up the delivery of raw materials and further reduce the miles travelled for finished products.
Digitalisation and sustainability: key factors in the construction of Unilever's new site
The new factory is one of the largest in Unilever's global operational network. The aim is to further automate and digitise operations, utilising the skills of this highly skilled workforce.
Sustainability has also been one of the key aspects in building this new production facility. Unilever is reducing its carbon footprint thanks to a new strategic location that will reduce the number of kilometres its finished products will travel to reach the distribution centre. It is an improved wastewater treatment facility, manages water consumption and the factory incorporates the use of geothermal and solar energy. By the end of the month, it will join all Unilever factories, offices and distribution centres in the Philippines in supplying 100% renewable electricity.
Unilever is aiming to improve packaging. It now produces deodorant lines that use 25% less plastic and continues to innovate to meet Unilever's global commitment to a waste-free world.
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