Unilever expands PH operations

The local unit of consumer goods giant Unilever continues to ramp up its investments in the Philippines with the establishment of a global shared services hub and a new office to support the company’s continued growth in the country.

Forming part of the company’s 100-million euro investment in the Philippines, the Enterprise and Technology Solutions (ETS) is expected to become the second-biggest facility among the company’s four existing outsourcing hubs, while the new office is seen to serve as the company’s second headquarters, Unilever global CEO Paul Polman said on the sidelines of the inauguration ceremony for the facility yesterday.

Polman said the ETS hub, which will generate about 500 new jobs, would provide outsourcing services in key areas, namely financial, human resources and IT. An expansion of this facility in the long run is most likely considering the availability of skilled and English-speaking workers here.

“We continue to invest heavily here and the ETS offers a good example of another kind of investment wherein we’re bringing in the outsourcing services here. Also, we have so much opportunities to grow our business in the Philippines and it needs to be supported,” Polman said.

Unilever chief enterprise and technology officer Mark Smith said in a statement issued during the inauguration of the new unilever office that this hub was a “key component of our long-term strategic development. Unilever has a significant footprint in emerging markets and it makes sense that we invest in resources in these locations.”

“The Philippines is one of our fastest-growing markets and offers sound infrastructure and access to strong talent. Having the right people, with the right skills and the right mindset is key. That’s where Manila qualifies very highly,” Smith added.

The new office in Taguig, meanwhile, will cover nine of the 16 floors and will be completed by 2016. It will also house the ETS hub. The existing office and manufacturing facility in Manila will be retained and continue to be operational.

Polman disclosed that the company has already expanded the capacity of its food factory here and was looking to do the same in other Unilever facilities.

“We have three factories in the Philippines and all of them are doing very well,” he said.

Polman also noted that the Philippines has the potential to become an export hub, but the government would have to continue investing heavily in infrastructure such as roads, port facilities and energy systems.