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PROCTER and Gamble (P&G) Philippines Inc. has opened a new
distribution center in Cabuyao, Laguna, in a move to build up its
domestic and export capacity, the company announced Wednesday.
The new distribution facility costing P380
million is expected to boost production and movement of P&G
goods here and abroad, said James Lafferty, P&G Philippines
president and general manager.
“The new distribution center will enhance the
efficiency and productivity of [our] overall operation, thus [we]
project a double-digit growth this year,” Lafferty said.
The new facility expands the capacity of the
company’s existing warehouse by 50 percent, enabling it to handle
close to 20,000 added pallets of finished goods. It will make use of
the latest warehouse management system, including wireless terminals
for real-time transactions.
“[We] really saw the need for an added space
for [our] products, since the demand for most of [our] products are
overwhelmingly growing,” Lafferty said.
P&G’s Cabuyao plant, which serves the
country and several markets in the region, manufactures
approximately 75,000 cases daily of a wide range of products such as
Tide, Ariel, Mr. Clean, Joy Dishwashing Liquid, Downy Fabric
Enhancer, Pampers, Whisper, Sageguard, Zest, Secret and Old Spice.
“Pampers, which is one of [our] top products,
is continually doing very good both in the domestic and export
market,” the executive said.
Lafferty said the company also plans to expand
its back office here and beef up the workforce of its local and BPO
operations by 10 percent. The company’s Cabuyao plant alone has
over 400 employees.
He said the Philippines’ workforce is very
competitive, and “that is the reason why despite the high
electricity rates and other factors, [we] still remain optimistic
and loyal to this country.”
He said the Philippines is in the top 12
priority markets of P&G worldwide.
-- Katrina Mennen A. Valdez
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