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Consumer
manufacturing giant Procter and Gamble (P&G) is
preparing for the continued growth in the demand for its
consumer products as evidenced by the expansion of its
distribution center in Cabuyao, Laguna.
Procter
and Gamble, the corporation behind household brand names
such as Safeguard, Crest and Pringles, said the
P380-million upgraded project is the biggest and most
advanced P&G warehouse in Asia.
Jim
Lafferty, president and general manager of P&G
Philippines, said the conglomerate decided to upgrade
the plant because higher demand seen in the coming
years. While he did not give details, he revealed that
they are eyeing double-digit growth in sales
specifically in the beauty and paper brands. He cited
Philippine sales figures of P&G in the last 12 months at
over P30 billion, up from P25 billion three years ago.
The
distribution center’s capacity was upgraded from about
40,000 pallets to 60,000 pallets.
Lafferty
added that the distribution center will also house
products to be exported to other Asian destinations but
said that more than 50 percent of the capacity was
reserved for the Philippine market.
He
revealed that more jobs are being created as a result of
the opening of the distribution center and that they are
looking towards increasing P&G’s workforce by 10
percent. The P&G executive also said while the cost of
doing business in the Philippines is still very
competitive, certain inputs such as energy is “ very
expensive” but added that this is just one component.
For his
part, Samuel Garcia, the P&G Cabuyao plant manager,
reiterated P&G’s commitment to the
Philippines
as a valuable partner. “The Philippines remains one of
the P&G’s top priorities and the new Cabuyao
distribution center is proof of that commitment.”
The
upgraded facility in Cabuyao boasts of the latest
warehouse management system, with wireless terminals for
real-time transactions for the plant managers. It also
claims of efficient energy and ventilation systems that
comply with all environmental policy and local
regulatory requirements.
Apart
from the local brand names under P&G, the distribution
center will also house imported P&G brands such as
Pantene, Rejoice, Head and Shoulders and Vicks, among
others. |