Region's biggest Unilever factory opens in Dubai

Shaikh Ahmed and Paul Polman during the inauguration of Unilever's Dh1 billion plant - the region's largest - at Dubai Industrial Park on Wednesday.

Global consumer goods giant Unilever on Wednesday opened the region's largest personal care products manufacturing plant at Dubai Industrial Park.

Set up with an investment of Dh1 billion, the plant features state-of-the-art technology that not only delivers products faster to the market and cutting lead-time by 80 per cent, but also reduces waste and energy consumption.

Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Emirates airline and Chief Executive of the Emirates Group, inaugurated the plant. Also in attendance were Paul Polman, CEO of Unilever; Sanjiv Kakkar, executive vice-president of Unilever Mena, Turkey, Russia, Ukraine and Belarus; and Abdulla Belhoul, CEO of Dubai Wholesale City, as well as senior officials from Tecom Group.

Shaikh Ahmed said the UAE is accelerating its efforts to boost the industrial sector and make it a valuable contributor to the national economy, turning the "Made in UAE" label into a mark of quality and global excellence.

"We can achieve this through successful partnerships with international manufacturers, and stimulating investments in industry," he said.

He said the UAE has become a destination of choice for the industrial sector, as it provides modern infrastructure, an investment friendly environment and a world-class legislative framework for businesses seeking to become global trailblazers.

"This project is a role model for industry thanks to its investment in people and its utilization of the latest technologies. Unilever has made a commitment to the highest sustainability and environmental safety standards, which reflects the UAE's vision for a more sustainable world that improves quality of life, while protecting its vital resources," said Shaikh Ahmed.

"The industrial sector adds value to the national economy and embodies the concept of integrating human capabilities with knowledge, to build productive societies and nurture generations that respect the value of work."

Following the opening ceremony, Shaikh Ahmed toured the plant and met with senior officials from Unilever and Dubai Industrial Park, who briefed him on the production lines and processes.

Spanning 100,000 square meters, this plant is the largest in the region, and is set to deliver the highest output of 100,000 tons per annum of liquid beauty and personal care products a year (approximately 500 million units). The brands manufactured include Dove, Fair & Lovely, Lifebuoy, Vaseline, Clear, TRESemmé, and Sunsilk.

The facility is also designed to reduce waste and energy consumption, in line with the Unilever Sustainable Living Plan via which the company aims to decouple its growth from its environmental impact, while increasing their positive social impact.

In addition to supply chain efficiency, the advanced technology will enable automatic quality control, scanning at a rate of 350 bottles per minute, while also ensuring the highest safety standards integral to and embedded in all equipment designs.

Raw materials will be sourced both locally and globally. Exports will cover countries across North Africa, Middle East and Europe.

Polman said choosing the UAE was a strategic decision.  "It is a trade corridor that connects the East and West, with important growth potential and world class infrastructure. Our new factory is testament to that - as the UAE's largest private solar park, it reflects a shared vision of driving resilient, sustainable growth, underpinned by innovation."

Praising the UAE leadership's strategic economic diversification strategy, Polman said the new plant would support the country's long-term goal to achieve sustainable economic growth, by contributing to the development of the manufacturing sector and the diversification of the national economy. He mentioned the opportunities that arise for multinational corporations along with the nation's direction to develop the sector as a pillar of the economy.

He said Unilever is currently collaborating with key suppliers to implement a complete vertical integration, which will help in implementing "just in time" methodology which will enable the factory to become a global sourcing unit by 2022.

Belhoul said the Unilever plant underscores the readiness of the UAE to begin laying the foundations of a diversified knowledge-based economy.

"With the establishment of this facility, generating 180 products that will carry the Made in UAE label, at Dubai Industrial Park in Dubai Wholesale City, Unilever will reap immense benefits from free trade agreements between the UAE and many countries around the world," said Belhoul.

- issacjohn@khaleejtimes.com

Issac John

issacjohn@khaleejtimes.com