Henkel, the German consumer goods manufacturer, has opened a new high-bay warehouse expansion at its headquarters in Dusseldorf, Germany, consolidating central warehousing capacity for laundry, cleaning, and hair care products. Following an investment of €45 million ($52 million), the facility consolidates five central warehousing locations previously spread across Germany and the Benelux region. The expansion integrates with an existing automated facility to create a logistics centre with a capacity of …
Household Care
Newell Brands, the US-based global consumer goods company, has announced a planned investment of €40 million ($43 million) in its French manufacturing and operations network over the next three years. According to a company statement, the announcement was made at the Choose France Summit 2026. The capital will be deployed across four priority areas, including advanced manufacturing automation and new production line capabilities, a comprehensive digitization program leveraging artificial intelligence …
Unilever, the UK-based consumer goods company, is opening a new fragrance hub in Mumbai, India, to strengthen its global network of fragrance innovation capabilities across key growth markets. The new 200 sq m facility, known as the Unilever Fragrance House (UFH) hub, is located at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Powai. The centre features fully integrated fragrance creation, application and evaluation spaces, which combine proprietary creation software, advanced compounding …
Unilever, the UK-headquartered consumer goods company, has unveiled plans to develop a new Global Innovation Center in New Haven, Connecticut. Opening by spring 2029, the digital-first and AI-powered centre will serve as a hub for research and development across the company’s personal care, beauty and wellbeing businesses. Unilever will invest $270 million in the project over the long term, including $50 million in capital expenditure. The total combined public and …
The Navigator Company (TNC), the Portuguese pulp and paper manufacturer, has strengthened its focus on higher value-added tissue products with the launch of Amoos Pure, a new toilet tissue that features “Clear Odor” technology. According to a company press release, the technology is developed to help neutralize bathroom odours in the bathroom. The product arrives amidst reported growth in the decorated and scented toilet paper segment, driven by consumer demand …
Unilever, the consumer goods giant, has completed a £150 million ($201 million) investment in its historic Port Sunlight site, underlining its strategic importance to the company’s UK and European operations. The investment includes high-tech manufacturing upgrades in the site’s Home Care factory and a new advanced automated distribution centre. Spanning 10,000 sq m, the distribution facility is powered by 2,000m of automated conveyors and eight giant 30m high stacking cranes …
Gama spoke to Prof. Keeley Crockett, Professor in Computational Intelligence at Manchester Metropolitan University. Read this Industry Insight in the next issue of Gama News. You’ve often said that AI is currently facing a ‘trust’ test similar to the one physical brands face. Why is that the starting point for this conversation? It’s fundamental. The consumer has to trust your products, and it’s exactly the same with AI. When …
Gama spoke to Peggy Davies, PLMA President, ahead of the latest edition of PLMA – World of Private Label. What are your overall expectations for the 2026 edition of PLMA – World of Private Label? PLMA’s World of Private Label Trade Show on 19th and 20th May is shaping up to be an exciting and dynamic event. We’ll have over 3,200 returning and new exhibitors showing the latest in food …
Dabur, the Indian consumer goods giant, has announced plans to establish a new manufacturing facility in the state of Tamil Nadu with an investment of 400 crore INR ($48 million). The new plant, to be located in the SIPCOT industrial park in Tindivanam, represents the company’s first manufacturing presence in South India. The facility will primarily focus on the production of a diverse range of products, including Red Toothpaste, Odonil …
Hindustan Unilever (HUL), the Indian FMCG giant, has announced plans to invest 20 billion INR ($239 million) over the next two years to enhance its manufacturing capabilities. The investment is primarily aimed at expanding production capacity for the company’s home care and personal care categories. HUL, which is the Indian subsidiary of the British multinational Unilever, currently operates 28 manufacturing facilities across India. The new capital expenditure will be utilised …
Unilever, the global consumer goods giant, has announced an agreement to sell its Home Care business in Colombia and Ecuador to Alicorp, the Peruvian consumer goods company. The transaction includes a portfolio of well-established local laundry and cleaning brands such as Fab, 3D, Aromatel and Deja. The deal aligns with Unilever’s strategy to “sharpen its portfolio” by focusing on core categories with higher growth potential. For Alicorp, the acquisition significantly …
Clorox, the US cleaning and consumer goods manufacturer, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Gojo Industries, the maker of Purell hand sanitiser, in a cash transaction valued at $2.25 billion. The deal, which includes anticipated tax benefits that bring the net purchase price to approximately $1.92 billion, is designed to significantly expand Clorox’s presence in the professional hygiene sector. GOJO, a family-owned business headquartered in Akron (OH), generates …
Unilever, the global consumer goods giant, has expanded its home care manufacturing capabilities in Saudi Arabia with the inauguration of a new production line for its Omo liquid detergent brand at its Jeddah facility. The new state-of-the-art line has been installed at the Binzagr Unilever Limited (BUL) factory and will serve as a key regional export hub. According to the company, over 50% of the new line’s output is allocated …
Reckitt Benckiser, the household care and homecare giant, has announced it has agreed to sell a majority stake in its Essential Home business to private equity investor Advent International in a deal worth up to $4.8 billion. The Essential Home portfolio includes air freshener brand Air Wick, water softener brand Calgon, laundry care brand Woolite, and detergent brands Cillit Bang and Easy-Off in more than 70 markets. The deal also includes six …
Gama spoke to Jeff Lenard, Vice President of NACS Media & Strategic Communications, ahead of the latest edition of the NACS Show. What are your expectations for the NACS Show 2025? We always focus on what attendees say they most want at the event. They tell us they like the format of the NACS Show: four days of learning, buying and selling, networking and fun — all designed to …
Suzano, the world’s largest pulp producer, and Kimberly-Clark, the global leader in the consumer staples industry, have announced that the companies are partnering to create a $3.4 billion joint venture to manufacture, market and distribute consumer and professional tissue products worldwide. In a press release, Suzano said it would pay $1.734 billion to Kimberly-Clark for a 51% stake in the company, which will be based in the Netherlands and include …
Kruger, the Canadian tissue and packaging company, has announced that it has inaugurated a new LDC (light dry crepe) tissue plant facility in Sherbrooke, adjacent to an existing plant for Thru-Air Dried (TAD) products. In a press release, the company said the new facility was part of C$377.5 million ($275.4 million) expansion project that includes the construction of a double-wide tissue machine with LDC technology, and two new converting lines, one …
Ineos, a global leader in chemicals, has announced the sale of Ineos Hygienics, its healthcare and homecare venture, to SKG Capital Partners, a Middle Eastern-based family investment firm. Founded in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic in an effort to meet demand for hand sanitiser, Ineos Hygienics has developed into a leading brand offering a wide range of household and personal care products, including multi-room cleaners, wipes, dish and hand wash, laundry detergent, …
Nigerian FMCG firm Mamuda Group has announced an investment of $50 million to expand in Ogun state. According to sources, the investment will happen in several phases. Starting in June, the company will begin work on a new facility for its subsidiary Mamuda Beverages, before investing in the group’s food subsidiary Mamuda Foods, agricultural subsidiary Mamuda Agro & Allied Products and Mamuda Care, its detergents and beauty division. The investment will reportedly …
The Natural & Organic Products Expo (NOPEX) 2025, the UK’s premier trade event for sustainable and ethical brands, once again made ExCeL London its home this May as industry professionals engaged in another three days of trend-spotting and lively networking. Gama with Bee & You Reportedly responding to feedback from exhibitors and visitors, NOPEX transitioned to a Monday-Tuesday format for its 2025 outing, moving away from its traditional Sunday-Monday slot …
European multinational home care and personal care company Persan has acquired Mibelle Group to create one of the world’s largest players in private label and contract manufacturing. The acquisition of the Mibelle Group therefore fits “perfectly” in Persan’s growth strategy, Mibelle Group said in a statement, adding that both companies complement each other in terms of expertise, technology, markets and production sites. The acquisition includes all legal entities parts of …
Gama spoke to Peggy Davies, PLMA President, ahead of the latest edition of PLMA – World of Private Label. What are your expectations for this edition of PLMA – World of Private Label? PLMA’s World of Private Label Trade Show in Amsterdam is the place to be if you are involved in private label, whether in manufacturing, procurement or retail. It is where business develops, thrives & grows offering the …
Henkel, the Germany-based personal and household care giant, has announced it has entered into an agreement to sell its Retailer Brands business in North America to an affiliate of First Quality Enterprises, a manufacturer and distributor of hygiene, paper, and packaging products. Henkel said it deemed the Retailer Brands business non-core within the Consumer Brands unit due to restricted opportunities for synergy and its “misalignment” with the integrated Consumer Brands …
Gama spoke to Yannick Verry, Brand Director, ahead of the latest edition of Fi Europe. What are your expectations for this year’s FI Europe? What features are there for consumers to look forward to? Fi Europe is gearing up for its biggest and best year ever. From 19th-21st November 2024, Messe Frankfurt will host the leading global event for food and beverage ingredients. More than 1,500 exhibitors and a programme …
Gama spoke to Jeff Lenard, NACS Vice President of Strategic Industry Initiatives, ahead of the latest edition of the NACS Show. What are your expectations for this edition of the NACS Show? What features are there for visitors to look forward to? The NACS Show is where retailers go to find the future of convenience, whether via products or services on the expo floor, in the education and general …
Quimica Amparo, a Brazilian producer of household cleaning and hygiene products, has announced it is investing in expand its distribution centre and add production lines at its existing facility Pernambuco. The expansion of the Pernambuco facility, which opened in 2023, is part of a further planned investment of R$220 million ($39.2 million) at the site by 2026, taking total spending on the facility to R$670 million ($119.5 million). Jorge Beira, …
Swedish hygiene and health firm Essity has announced that it is investing in a new research and development centre in France’s Alsace region. In a press release, the company said the state-of-the-art centre will focus on tissue products in order to meet evolving demand of branded tissue in both the Consumer and Professional Hygiene markets. Commenting on the decision, Magnus Groth, President and CEO of Essity, said: “Essity’s research and …
Gama spoke to Peggy Davies, PLMA President, ahead of the latest edition of PLMA – World of Private Label. What are your expectations for this edition of PLMA? What features are there for visitors to look forward to? With a record breaking 2,800+ exhibitors from 70 countries, at PLMA’s World of Private Label in Amsterdam the industry can expect a variety of trendy products, including free-from alternatives, plant-based meat, …
Brazilian personal hygiene, beauty and household care firm Flora has announced the opening of a new distribution centre in Bauru, Sao Paulo state. According to sources, the 3,000 sq m centre is intended to be a hub for the company that will allow it to expand its presence to strategic regions. Thiago Cardoso, distribution director at Flora, commented: “This investment complements our push to expand and facilitate our logistics operations, …
Leading household paper firm Kimberly-Clark has announced an expansion of its operational capability in Australia with the opening of a “state-of-the-art” distribution centre in Ravenhall, Victoria. According to sources, the 23,000 sq m facility is the company’s second largest in Australia and the first of several investments planned to offer faster and more efficient services to customers. The centre will reportedly double the company’s storage capacity and also enable a …
US retailer Target has announced the launch of Dealworthy, a new private label range of home and personal care items that promises to offer a range of products at low prices with no compromise on quality. According to the retailer, the new line features 400 everyday items such as paper towels, body wash, laundry detergent and cotton balls, with prices starting at less than $1. Rick Gomez, executive vice president …
L’Occitane, the premium French toiletries firm, has announced it is expanding its presence in home fragrance with the acquisition of Dr. Vranjes Firenze. Founded in 1983, Dr. Vranjes Firenze “encapsulates the essence of Florentine artisanship combined with the innovation of fragrance science”, L’Occitane said in a statement. It further described the brand as being “at the forefront of luxury home scents”, with sales in over 75 countries, 650 points of sale and …
Chemicals giant Ineos is foraying into the UK retail household care industry with a range of cleaning detergents and other products launching exclusively in Asda. The new range is described as being developed with proprietary technology that introduces “active fragrances” designed to improve well-being and promote better sleep. Commenting on the launch, Ineos Hygienics chief operating officer Rory Tait said: “All of our products are designed to bring the benefits …
Gama spoke to Peggy Davies, PLMA President, ahead of the latest edition of PLMA – World of Private Label. What are your expectations for this edition of PLMA? We have seen tremendous interest from the industry; thus, expectations are high. We expect two dynamic days of business meetings, sharing ideas and sourcing for new products. Are consumers switching to private label brands in response to cost-of-living pressures? If …
Italian firm Sofidel, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of household paper products, has announced the acquisition of German peer Hakle for an undisclosed sum. In a press release, Sofidel said it was acquiring the toilet tissue brand Hakle, the moist tissue brand Hakle Feucht, and the kitchen towel brands Dick & Durstig and Servus, as well as their respective intellectual property rights and domains. Commenting on the acquisition, Philippe …
Brazilian household care firm Ype has announced the opening of a new manufacturing plant and distribution centre located in Itapissuma, Pernambuco state, according to a report in Superhiper. The new plant will be located on a 400,000 sq m site and include a manufacturing area, administrative buildings and a distribution centre. Waldir Beira Junior, executive president of Ype, said: “This inauguration is part of our growth strategy and is an …
Sainsbury’s, the UK grocery retailer, has announced what it claims is a UK first, with the launch of a new line of laundry detergents in cartons, replacing its existing 750ml plastic bottles. The supermarket chain said the switch from plastic to cardboard would halve carbon emissions associated with the range, as well as taking 13 lorries off the road and saving around 22 tonnes of plastic annually. The laundry liquid has also …
German household and personal care giant Henkel has announced the merger of its Laundry & Home Care and Beauty Care businesses into one unit, in a press release reporting its annual results and growth agenda. According to Henkel, the new Henkel Consumer Brands business unit will create a ‘multi-category platform’ for the consumer business under one roof. The integration is said to have already started, by having talks with employee …
German company Henkel has announced the acquisition of Swania SAS, a household care supplier based in France. The acquisition will allow Henkel to strengthen its position in the detergents and cleaning products market committed to limiting the impact on the environment. Swania is a French ecological home care company which portfolio includes Maison Verte a brand with detergents and household care products certified with the Ecolabel. Chairman of the Henkel …
Unilever, the multinational consumer goods giant has announced a strategic partnership with Arzeda, the industry-leading Protein Design Company. Arzeda is a synthetic biology company that creates novel proteins, enzymes derived from nature, and specialty chemical products used through smart technologies to optimise their functionalities. Over the next three years, Unilever will use Arzeda’s world-leading digital biology techniques to innovate its own cleaning and laundry portfolio. Peter ter Kulve, Unilever Home …
Unilever, the Anglo-Dutch consumer goods giant, has announced the completion of the unification of its group legal structure under a single parent company, Unilever plc. Founded in 1930, Unilever has been operating under two separated listed companies – a Dutch NV and a UK plc. With the unification, Unilever NV will merge into Unilever plc. “This is an important day for Unilever and we would like to thank our shareholders …
US retail giant Walmart has announced that it has begun testing the delivery of grocery and household products from its stores using automated drones. Launched in Fayetteville, North Carolina, this test is being carried out in partnership with Flytrex, an end-to-end drone delivery company. The drones are controlled over the cloud using a smart and easy control dashboard, the company said The experiment will allow the company to “gain valuable …
US-based household firm Kimberly-Clark has announced the acquisition of personal care manufacturer Softex Indonesia for $1.2 billion. Present in Indonesia since 1976, Softex is described as a producer of hygiene products for children, woman, and adults, with nappies being its most important category. According to Kimberly-Clark, the acquisition of Softex will allow the company to “boost its presence in the lucrative South East Asia market”. Mike Hsu, chairman and CEO of Kimberly-Clark, said: …
Unilever, the multinational consumer goods giant, has announced it is undertaking a review of its washing powder factory in Warrington, UK in light of falling sales of powder detergents. The future of the plant, which manufactures Persil and Surf laundry powder and employs 123 staff, will be decided by the end of February, Unilever said. “Unilever has made considerable efforts to address the site’s challenges in recent years, from investing in …
Quimica Amparo, the household goods firm behind the Ype brand, has announced plans to construct a new factory and distribution centre in Pernambuco in a bid to bolster its presence in Brazil’s North East region, according to a report in New Trade. The new plant will start by manufacturing the firm’s line of liquid detergents, but will ultimately be able to produce the entire Ype product portfolio of products including …
Unilever, the Anglo-Dutch consumer goods giant, has announced it has entered into an agreement to sell part of its laundry detergent business in Central America to the Guatemalan household and personal care firm Industria La Popular for an undisclosed sum. The deal will see Unilever divest its direct application laundry soap bars business in Central America, including the licence to use the brands Xtra, Surf, Unox and Rinso. The rights to use the brands …
Target, the US grocery retailer, has announced the launch of a new private label personal and homecare line under the Everspring brand name that is “designed with sustainability in mind”. According to a press release from the retailer, the line is composed of more than 70 household essentials such as laundry detergent, cleaners, dish soap, candles and hand soap. Besides featuring biobased, recycled materials and natural fibres, the products also …
US based household paper firm Kimberly-Clark has announced its intention to close its plant in Eldorado do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The closure is part of a restructuring plan announced in 2018. According to Jornal do Comercio, 260 direct and indirect jobs will be affected by the decision, which is linked to Kimberly-Clark’s three-year global restructuring program. The company is reported as saying that the production of sanitary …
Leading consumer goods firm Unilever has announced it has acquired The Laundress, a premium-positioned eco-friendly line of detergent, fabric care, and home cleaning products based in New York, USA. Founded in 2004 , The Laundress is described as being “dedicated to turning necessary household chores into a luxurious and enjoyable experience”. The firm’s product line includes laundry and fabric detergent products such as detergent, fabric conditioner and bleach alternative, alongside …
Renova, the Portuguese household paper manufacturer, has announced the launch of a new toilet tissue which will see traditional plastic wrap replaced with a paper pack format. The new pack format is being launched for a range of unscented, undecorated 4-roll toilet tissue that will be available in four options: Hyper Soft, Balance, Ultra Fort and Recycled. The company said that to encourage consumers to buy there would be no …
Melitta, the leading German manufacturer of coffee, coffee makers and coffee accessories, has announced the acquisition of the Italian household goods firm Cuki Group. Based in Volpiano, near Turin, Cuki Group is the parent company of Cuki Cofresco, the Italian market leader in food storage and refuse bags. The company markets retail brands such as Cuki and Domopak and manufactures goods including foil, baking paper and food storage bags. Cuki Group’s …
Insight by Gama Compass MANCHESTER – 11th April 2018: The proportion of consumers following vegan diets is on an upward curve, and this is being increasingly reflected in product launch activity in the FMCG arena, according to the latest figures from Gama Compass. Data from for the first few months of 2018 shows that as many as 9% of new consumer goods launches are now promoting a ‘vegan’ claim, up from …
US based personal care firm Kimberly-Clark has announced plans to restructure the business, including reorganizing its manufacturing operations. Announcing the move alongside its annual financial statements, the Huggies and Kotex brand owner said it intended to cut around 5,500 jobs and to close 10 manufacturing plants as part of the restructuring process. The firm said this would be done in order to reduce the company’s structural cost base by streamlining …
FMCG giant Unilever is selling its Drie Hoek brand of natural household cleaners to the Dutch firm Marcel’s Green Soap, led by former Unilever executive Marcel Belt. Drie Hoek is a traditional ‘green’ soap brand dating back over 100 years and is primarily sold in the Netherlands. Described as being made from plant ingredients such as linseed and rapeseed oil, Drie Hoek cleaners come in liquid and solid forms and …
UK retailer Tesco has announced the launch of a new range of ecologically-certified household products under the label Tesco Eco Active. According to a press release from the retailer, the launch responds to consumer demand for more environmentally-friendly products, which is at an all-time high in the UK. Tesco’s household goods product developer Sanjeev Kaushal said: “Customers tells us that they want to buy eco-cleaning products but they must be …
FMCG multinational Unilever has announced that it has reached an agreement to acquire personal care and home care brands of Latin American consumer goods firm Quala. With a combined turnover of over $400 million in 2016, Quala’s portfolio includes leading local brands such as haircare and skin cleansing brand Savital/Savile, male haircare and styling brand eGo, haircare brand Bio-Expert, oral care brand Fortident and fabric conditioner brand Aromatel. Unilever’s CEO …
Twinsaver Group, a leading manufacturer and distributor of tissue paper products in South Africa, has acquired Sylko, a manufacturer of paper and related products such as aluminum foil, and disposable household products such as plastic tableware. The investment follows the group’s acquisition of hygienic disposable products manufacturer Validus Medical and a 580 million ZAR ($43 million) investment to improve Twinsaver Group’s production capacity. Twinsaver Group CEO Garth Towell said: “It …
Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget (SCA), the Swedish manufacturer of paper products, is to split in two. The first of the two new companies will be a forest products company that will retain the SCA name, while the second, called Essity, will be a hygiene and health company. Following the split, Essity will develop, produce and sell personal care and tissue products. According to SCA, the name Essity stems from the words ‘essentials’ and ‘necessities’, …
FMCG manufacturer Dabur has announced the inauguration of a new manufacturing facility in Tezpur, Assam. According to India Retailing, the facility will produce the whole range of Dabur’s products including health supplements, ayurvedic medicines, hair oil, shampoo, toothpaste, skin care and household products. Dabur chairman Dr Anand C Burman said: “I am extremely proud to announce the commissioning of Dabur’s most-modern factory in Tezpur. This factory will become the largest …
Austrian retailer Merkur, a subsidiary of the German Rewe Group, has announced the extension of its range of ‘green’ products Immer Grun (Always Green), introducing cleaning products that are claimed to be suitable for families with babies and young children. According to European Supermarket Magazine, laundry products such as fabric softeners, washing detergents and powders are now available under the brand. The products are described as being kind to sensitive …
Henkel, the German household and personal care giant, has announced a year of “record” sales and earnings as it unveiled its results for 2016. The Dusseldorf-based firm posted overall sales growth of 3.5% (or 3.1% on an organic basis) to end the year with €18.714 billion ($19.79 billion) revenue. Adjusted for foreign exchange effects, sales grew by 7.1%. The positive effect from acquisitions and divestments amounted to 4.0%, mainly as …
Sodalis, a leading Italian player in the personal, beauty and home care space, has announced the acquisition of household and healthcare business BrandCare from Portuguese investment fund Explorer Investments. BrandCare is an Iberian company that was formed in December 2013 as the result of the acquisition of a number of assets from Colgate-Palmolive. In Spain, its principal products are Cristasol window cleaner, Xanpa household detergent and Tacto hand soap, while in …
Rossmann, the German personal and household care retailer, has announced plans to open a further 250 stores in 2017 with an investment of around €225 million ($235 million). The plans foresee 110 new locations for the German market, where Rossmann’s network of shops stood at 2,055 as of the end of 2016, figures from the company reveal. Outside Germany, Rossmann now operates 1,572 stores in a number of European countries, predominantly …
SC Johnson, the US household and personal care firm, is to acquire insect repellent brand Exposis and assets under the Lysoform brand as it looks to strengthen its position in Brazil. Insect repellent brand Exposis is available exclusively over the counter in pharmacies throughout Brazil. It uses Picaridin as the active ingredient to repel mosquitoes and other insects. Meanwhile, certain assets under the Lysoform brand are also being acquired by SC …
Portuguese household paper manufacturer Renova has announced an investment of €36 million ($38 million) in order to bolster its production capacity. According to Economia Online, the company has installed new machinery that will increase annual production by 50%, nearly doubling the company’s exports by 2021. Renova president Paulo Pereira da Silva said that the new line of paper – used in napkins and facial tissues, among other products – would …
Insight by Gama Compass™ MANCHESTER – 24th November 2016: ‘High vitamin’ claims are continuing to notch upwards in new product launches, according to Gama’s latest study of patterns and trends in global FMCG innovation, with non-alcoholic drinks proving particularly fertile ground for vitamin-related positioning. Based on data from Gama Compass™ between 2014 and 2016, and segmenting vitamin claims by five principal types – vitamins A, B, C, D and E …
FMCG multinational Unilever is expanding further into laundry services with the launch of an online launderette platform in Brazil under its Omo detergent brand. Named Omo Express, the new service is promoted with the tagline “The best way to do your laundry? Don’t do it” and offers a “professional” online launderette service including pickup and delivery. Initially operating in the greater Sao Paulo area only, Omo Express offers packages including …
Indian-based company Wipro Consumer Care and Lighting has acquired 100% of Chinese FMCG company Zhongshan Ma Er for an undisclosed amount. Wipro focuses on products including soaps, toiletries, personal care & baby care and has a presence in countries such as India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, China, as well as the Middle East. With this new acquisition, China will become Wipro’s third largest market behind India and Malaysia. The deal includes …
FMCG giant Unilever is in discussions to buy ecological home and personal care firm Honest Co for around $1 billion, according to a report in the Wall St Journal quoting “people familiar with the matter”. Co-founded by actress Jessica Alba, Honest Co makes products such as disposable nappies, household cleaners and personal care and beauty products and has reportedly gained popularity with young mothers in particular. The company sells the …
Germany-based household and personal care firm Henkel has announced the closing of the acquisition of Sun Products on September 1st 2016. The initial agreement to purchase all shares was signed in late June for $3.6 billion including debt. The purchase of the US-based company includes brands such as All laundry detergent, stain removers and fabric softeners and Sun laundry and dish detergents, as well as fabric softener label Snuggle. Sun …
In a bid to exapnd into new channels, FMCG multinational Unilever has entered a partnership with dry-cleaning start-up ZipJet through its Persil laundry detergent brand. According to reports in Campaign Live and Marketing Week, the partnership will allow the FMCG giant to put the Persil brand on ZipJet’s uniforms and clothing bags. In addition, consumers will be offered a Persil Wash & Fold service through which clothes are washed with …
Household and personal care firm Godrej is set to expand its presence on the continent of Africa with the acquisition of two haircare firms, according to a report in Progressive Grocer India. The Indian firm, through its Africa-based subsidiary Darling Group, has reportedly acquired 100% of the shares in a company called Hair Credentials Zambia, and 51% in Weave Senegal. Godrej will pay “nil consideration for acquisition as the target entities …
US multinational Procter & Gamble has announced the closure of a plant in Anchieta, Brazil, ceasing production of Ariel powder detergent in the country. According to Revista Exame, the plant, which is located in the Sao Paulo region, employs around 175 staff, some of whom will be transferred to other company factories in Brazil. P&G will now focus on selling concentrated liquid detergent, a product which currently represents only 20% …
P&G, the multinational healthcare and household firm, has reported earnings of $65.3 billion, a decrease of 8% versus the prior year, for the financial year ending 30th June 2016. The US firm reported a negative six percentage point impact from foreign exchange and a negative two percent from the combined impacts of Venezuela and minor brand divestitures. Meanwhile, organic sales grew one percent as the benefit of increased pricing more than offset …
Lea Nature, the leading French natural products firm, has announced that it is to open a new production facility near to its base in La Rochelle. The plant will be located at a site previously owned by automotive firm Delphi in the town of Perigny, Charente-Maritime. According to Lea Nature, the new site will be used for three primary purposes: an extension to its ‘promo box’ scheme and to its …
US-based multinational Procter & Gamble has announced the investment of $50 million in production facilities and other projects in Argentina from 2016 to 2017. In a statement, the firm said that the investment included the expansion of existing local operational capacity, as well as incorporating the latest technology into its Pampers line of nappies. Additional funds are earmarked for the Pantene brand in haircare, as well as razors through Gillette …
Insight by Gama Compass™ MANCHESTER – 23rd February 2016: Orange and lemon flavours are associated with premium claims and higher price points, while strawberry flavours are especially common in Latin America and in launches targeted at children, the latest information from Gama Compass™ indicates. For this month’s study of trends and patterns in new product launches, Gama has pinpointed the five leading fruit flavours in global innovation over 2014 and 2015 …
Health, hygiene and household care producer Reckitt Benckiser (RB) has posted growth and margin expansion in full year 2015, according to its recently disclosed financial reports. RB’s total revenues rose to £8.874 billion ($12.684 billion), with organic growth up 6% on full year 2014. The company claims its gross margin increased by +140bps to 59.1% (totaling £5.246 billion / $7.498 billion), driven bymix, input costs, and cost programmes. Operating profit …
Godrej, one of India’s leading home and personal care companies, has announced plans to expand into new African markets with the acquisition of a majority stake in Kenya-based Canon Chemicals. Canon Chemicals manufactures and distributes products in the personal and home care categories. Its major brand is Valon, a petroleum jelly, although the company is also active in air fresheners, detergents and candles. In 2015, the annualised revenue of the business was 1,146 million …
Portuguese firm Silvex, a manufacturer of household cleaning, plastic, paper and storage products, has unveiled a new line of plastic bags that are claimed to help wash, dry and store fruit and vegetables in an “easy, practical, quick and hygienic” way. Featuring a newly-designed “microperforation” system, Silvex Storage Bags for Fruit and Vegetables are claimed to preserve fresh produce for longer in the refrigerator, according to reports in HiperSuper and …
FMCG Unilever posted a turnover increase of 10% in 2015, according to the company’s latest full year financial statements. Total sales for the year rose to €53.3 billion including a positive currency impact of 5.9%. The company also reported underlying sales growth of 4.1% “ahead of our markets”, with volume up by 2.1% and value up by 1.9%. The company reported especially strong growth in emerging markets, with underlying sales rising by 7.1%, …
Gama Innovation Award – Positioning MANCHESTER – 17th December 2015: Nepia Deodorizing Toilet Paper, new in Japan from Nepia, is this month’s recipient of the Gama Innovation Award – Positioning. Nepia Deodorizing Toilet Paper offers new functionality in bathroom odour removal through a plant-derived deodorizing ingredient added to the inner cardboard tube. Specifically, the product’s active agent is claimed to tackle hydrogen sulfide and ammonia that are said to be particularly …
Gama Innovation Award – Packaging MANCHESTER – 16th December 2015: This month, the Gama Innovation Award – Packaging goes to Purex Power Shot Laundry Detergent and its innovative ‘auto-dosing’ feature. New in the USA from Henkel, Purex Power Shot Laundry Detergent is promoted as “a no-mess, no-guesswork solution to laundry care”. Instead of manually measuring the liquid into a cup, consumers simply flip the bottle upside down to release the correct …
Gama spoke to Roberto Funari, Executive Vice President, Category Marketing, Reckitt Benckiser. Which markets or consumer groups currently offer the greatest growth opportunities for FMCG companies? Emerging markets remain an important growth opportunity for FMCG companies as they will continue to outperform developed markets in terms of growth rate. The key to investing in emerging markets is to understand that they do not yield an immediate growth return, but …
Gama Innovation Award – Product MANCHESTER – 19th November 2015: This month, the Gama Innovation Award – Product goes to Bounty Kitchen Towel With Dawn, an innovation in the US household care market from Proctor & Gamble. Bounty Kitchen Towel with Dawn is promoted as “the first, and only, paper towel infused with the cleaning power of a dish detergent”. Featuring the tagline “activated by water”, the product is claimed to …
Gama spoke to Joaquim Vives, General Manager, Mane Iberica. How is the growing demand for more ‘all natural’ formulations impacting on flavour & fragrance companies? This is a major trend and demand will keep growing if the economic situation continues to brighten. However, ‘all natural’ does not consistently point to the same definition when it comes to food & drinks manufacturing. This is not the case for flavourings, as …
Gama spoke to Ori Yehudai, President & CEO, Frutarom. What should manufacturers do to be successful in the current economic climate? I believe that in order to be successful in an ever more challenging economic environment, we must demonstrate creativity and flexibility when dealing with our customers and provide top-notch service. Being able to adapt and adjust to our customers’ needs and work with them in creating innovative but …
Unilever is investing R$600 million ($172 million) in a new plant and a distribution centre in Pernambuco, Brazil, according to a report in Diario de Pernambuco. The investment is said to be largest amount invested by the group in a new manufacturing complex in Brazil this year. Building work is reportedly scheduled to start next month and is estimated to be finished by the end of 2017. According to sources, …
In order to increase the company’s paper production capacity, Renova is investing €40 million ($44 million) in a production facility for its factory in Torres Novas, Portugal The investment is claimed to allow for a 50% increase in the production of paper products (napkins, facial tissues, paper kitchen towels, and toilet tissue) at the site. In an interview with the Portuguese newspaper Expresso, Renova’s president Paulo Pereira da Silva also …
Drogerie Markt (DM), Germany’s leading retailer of health & beauty products and housewares, is expanding for the first time into online retail, according to a report in Lebensmittel Praxis. Launched on the 14th July, the e-commerce platform allows consumers to choose from a range of 11,000 products that is similar to that available in DM’s high street stores. Ordering is done on the basis of ‘parcels’ with a capacity of …
The latest innovation insight from Gama Compass™ MANCHESTER – 16th July 2015: Increasing interest among men in personal hygiene and grooming regimes presents new opportunities for consumer goods firms – and not only in the health & beauty space – as our latest Innovation Insight reveals. This week, Gama cast its eye over a new ‘household’ deodorizer that specifically focuses on male personal hygiene concerns, seeking to address them in a …
Insight by Gama Compass™ MANCHESTER – 9th July 2015: Gama turns its attention to the household care industry for its latest analysis of product launches reported by Gama Compass™, focusing on innovation patterns in the air care, laundry & fabric care and cleaners & detergents markets. According to Gama’s analysis, leading the way from a fragrance perspective in new household care launches was lavender, appearing almost twice as frequently as …
Unilever is opening a store on the e-commerce platform JD.Com which will enable it to sell branded items to the Chinese market. In a statement, JD.com said that some of Unilever’s best-known health and beauty brands such as Ponds, Dove, Vaseline and Lux would be featured, including three product lines from Lux’s shampoo range that are currently the best-selling shampoo products in Japan. In the coming months, the range of …
Migrating across London for its latest edition – from its established home at Olympia in Kensington to the more ample surroundings of ExCel in Docklands – Natural & Organic Products Europe returned this April to unveil the latest in “natural, organic, fair trade, free-from, vegan, vegetarian, and eco-living” products from across the world. Along with its relocation, the show boasted a “fresh new look”, attracting around 600 exhibitors and over …
Insight by Gama Compass™ MANCHESTER – 16th April 2015: From the growth in on-the-go breakfast foods to the rise of multifunctional “alphabet creams” in the cosmetics market, convenience benefits have driven many of the breakthrough innovation trends in the FMCG space over the past few years. However, as the latest analysis of product launches reported by Gama Compass™ over the last 12 months can reveal, claims relating to convenience – …
French retailer Monoprix is investing in a new private label line called Monoprix P’tit Prix. Translating as “small price”, the new line is said to provide affordable alternatives with no compromise on quality. Described as being focused on ‘core’ grocery products, Monoprix P’tit Prix is claimed by the retailer to offer flagship everyday products at a lower cost to consumers, rather than being an attempt to compete with discount chains. Packaging …
LG Household & Health Care Ltd., one of South Korea’s leading cosmetics firms, has announced plans to invest up to around 1 trillion won ($963 million) in M&A over the next five years. Commenting on the plans, a company spokesman said: “M&A is our fundamental growth strategy, helping us strengthen our competitiveness as well as expanding into overseas markets”, adding: “There are two to three companies that we are interested …
US household goods producer SC Johnson has announced that it is expanding its reach in the professional cleaning sector with the acquisition of Deb Group, a company focused on hygiene and skin care systems for the industrial, commercial, healthcare and food markets. Deb, a group of 23 companies active in 18 markets, supplies a range of products for workplace and public settings, including heavy-duty hand cleaners, foaming hand soaps, antibacterial …
Kimberly-Clark, which is active in markets including household paper and baby care, has reported stable revenues for the 2014 calendar year. Sales of $19.7 billion were 1% higher than 2013 and organic sales rose 4%. Operating profit was down to $2,521 million in 2014 from $2,903 million in 2013, although adjusted operating profit increased 5% to $3,184 million. Adjusted operating profit comparisons benefited from organic sales growth, FORCE cost savings …
Consumer goods giant Unilever has detailed its global financial performance for 2014, revealing modest growth figures in what it described as “tougher markets”. Underlying sales rose 2.9%, although turnover declined 2.7% to €48.4 billion ($56.1 billion) including a negative currency impact of 4.6%, the company said. The firm reported a slowdown in growth in emerging countries, citing “economic pressures” which “impacted consumer demand”. Growth in these markets was 5.7% whilst …
Henkel has launched a new laundry product in Germany, offering a “2-in-1” approach to tackle stains. Weisser Riese 2 in 1 Laundry Detergent and Prewash is said to combine laundry soap and a pre-wash stain remover in a single product. According to Henkel, the product has a powerful formula with an effective stain removing effect and also features a special brush for persistent strains incorporated into the bottle. The brush …
Unilever Spain & KH Loreda have finalised a long-term distribution agreement for the Unilever brands Cif and Domestos. Cif and Domestos are among Unilever’s key cleaning brands in the household care industry and are available in 50 countries across the globe. The new agreement takes effect from the 15th February 2015. The deal will allow KH Lloreda to increase its presence in the household care industry, the companies said in …
FMCG giant Procter & Gamble (P&G) has moved ahead of Nestle to become the third-largest consumer goods player in India, according to a report in the Economic Times. Having doubled its sales in the country in the last three years, P&G now only sits behind two other companies in revenue terms – HindustanUnilever and Amul. A P&G spokesperson said: “In fiscal 2014, we generated robust sales growth across all entities …
UK-based healthcare and household goods manufacturer Reckitt Benckiser (RB) has posted revenue of £2.37 billion ($3.83 billion) for its third quarter, increasing sales on a like-for-like basis by 3% on the previous year. Despite what RB termed a “robust performance in challenging markets”, the results were said to be below some analyst expectations. Bloomberg reports that unfavourable economic factors in Brazil and India are having an adverse effect on the …
Abraaj Group, an investor operating in global growth markets, has announced that it has acquired a majority stake in Liberty Star Consumer Holdings (Libstar), one of the largest unlisted food and personal care manufacturers in South Africa. According to Abraaj, the transaction is a further demonstration of the company’s focus on investment opportunities arising from the growth of large consumer and middle classes across its target markets of Africa, the …
German personal care and household goods manufacturer Henkel has announced the opening of its largest completely automated warehouse, located at its head office in Dusseldorf, Germany. The result of a €35 million ($45 million) investment, the new facility is described as covering the surface are of two football pitches and has storage capacity for more than 25 million packs of washing and cleaning products. Mr. Bruno Piacenza, head of Henkel’s …
Swedish paper products company SCA has announced plans to commence production from its plant in Ranjangaon near Pune from 2015. Reported by the Economic Times, Cecillia Edebo, Managing Director, SCA Hygiene Products India spoke of the news by saying: “The construction work at the plant near Pune is almost over and we hope to start manufacturing products such as tissues and diapers including those for adults from early next year”. …
American-based multinational P&G is planning to reduce its portfolio, shedding up to 100 brands, Fortune reports. Speaking to industry analysts, P&G Chief Executive Alan Lafley said the company planned to focus on the 70 to 80 brands which account for around 90% of its sales and 95% of its profits. Mr Lafley, who rejoined the company after serving in the same role from 2000 to 2009, commented that focusing on …
This week Gama takes a look at at the novel “starch-removing” claim being made by Pril Fat & Starch Dish Detergent, a new product line recently launched by German manufacturer Henkel. Promising to “effortlessly remove fat and starch”, Pril Fat & Starch is a reformulation of Henkel’s existing Pril dish detergent in Germany. Identifying that much of the effort in manual dishwashing relates not only to the effects of grease …
Indian household and personal care company Godrej Consumer Products Ltd (Godrej) has announced ambitions to achieve sales of Rs 100 crore ($16.6 million) through its Protekt brand. The company was speaking as it unveiled product launches of a hand sanitizer, handwashes, and a skin mosquito spray under the Protekt brand. According to Sunil Kataria, Godrej COO, the market of sanitizer products and repellents has increased in the last few years …
German health & beauty and household care company Henkel has acquired all the shares of the French company Spotless Group in a deal, including debt, worth €940 million ($1.28 billion). The deal will allow Henkel to add key detergent, household and insecticide brands such as Eau Ecarlate, Dylon, Grey and Catch to its portfolio. “This acquisition is part of Henkel’s global strategy to selectively invest in attractive country category positions …
Household care and health & beauty company Henkel has reported a “good start” to 2014 with organic growth up 4.3% for the first quarter. The manufacturer of brands including Schwarzkopf and Persil revealed that results in its growth regions had been particularly strong, with organic sales up 8.3%. However unfavourable currency effects saw total sales value drop back by -2.6% to €3.93 billion ($5.39 billion). “In a difficult market environment …
Gama spoke to Brian Sharoff, President of PLMA, ahead of the private label industry trade show in Amsterdam. What are your day to day activities? As president of PLMA, I am responsible for our annual trade shows, conferences, publications, and educational programs. How many people work in the organisation before and during the fair? We have approximately 50 people on our staff in Amsterdam and other major cities. This …
Energizer Holdings Inc has announced its plans to split into two separate companies as it looks to rationalize its business. The move would see the company split into two new businesses – one focused on personal care and one on household products companies – and is scheduled for the second half of 2015. The decision comes as the disposable battery market is faced with increasing pressures as consumers move towards …
Procter & Gamble has launched the new Sweet Dreams collection fabric care regimen supporting the National Sleep Foundation’s Sleep Awareness Week 2014. This line is claimed to be formulated with ingredients to clean, soften and freshen bedtime fabrics (e.g. linens and pajamas), helping to create an ideal sleep environment. The range is claimed to be unique, with not many fabric care products claiming to directly help consumers sleep better. The …
The 18th edition of Natural & Organic Products Europe took place this week at Kensington Olympia in London. The show represents a broad cross-section of natural and ethical consumer goods companies and the 2014 event, promoted as “the biggest to date”, attracted over 650 exhibitors from around the world and many thousands of visitors. A recent report from the Soil Association, referenced by Natural & Organic Products Europe, also bore …
Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget (SCA), the Swedish manufacturer of paper products, is to invest $31.5 million in Mexico in 2014, El Universal reports. In an interview with the Mexican newspaper, Pablo Fuentes, CEO of Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget in Latin-America, explained that the funds would be used to expand a factory in Ecatepec as well as boosting investment in innovation. SCA has reportedly invested over $400 million in Mexico in the last …
According to media sources, Aldi has recently expanded its line of private label products in Denmark. The retailer, which has been present in Denmark since 1977 and currently operates 244 outlets, is enhancing its food and non-food ranges, including organic food and household cleaning products, it is reported. In the food area, the Oko Livet (“Organic Life”) brand is being expanded with at least 10 new SKUs including items such …
SC Johnson has announced that it is to shut its The Caldrea Company facility in Minneapolis as it looks to integrate the company into its North American business. Citing a need to improve efficiences, the US-based manufacturer of household goods announced that Caldrea, which owns the brands Caldrea and Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day, would be integrated within the SC Johnson Home Cleaning Business in Racine, Wisconsin. 40 jobs are expected …
Colgate Palmolive reports that net sales have increased for FY2013, boosted by performance in Latin America. Overall worldwide net sales in 2013 stood at $17.42bn, increasing by 2% on 2012, while organic sales grew by 6% and unit volume grew by 5%. Although in Europe net sales dropped by 0.5%, net sales in Asia increased by 4.5% while Africa/Eurasia rose by 0.5%. Sales in Latin America – representing 29% of …
Unilever has announced its results for Q4 2013, revealing overall sales growth of 4.1%, with 2.7% volume and 1.4% price. Results for the quarter were particularly strong in emerging markets, which saw an increase in sales growth of 8.4% and volume at 5.3%. CEO Paul Polman said: “We have delivered another year of consistent underlying sales growth and margin expansion coupled with strong cash flow. This has been achieved despite …
Kimberly-Clark has reported global sales of $5.3 billion for Q4 2013, showing no change on the same period of 2012. Organic sales for the period were 5% up on the previous year, with K-C International sales rising by 11%. Operating profit was $822 million versus $449 million in 2012, with adjusted operating profit, excluding restructuring costs for European strategic changes, up 5% at $836 million. In the personal care segment, sales of …
Fresh from recording record annual turnover, German health & beauty and household retailer Drogerie-Markt (DM) has set its sights on an aggressive programme of expansion, according to Lebensmittel Praxis. At the end of its financial year, DM recorded revenue of €7.69 billion across the group, an increase of 11.9% over the previous financial year. In Germany alone, where the chain has some 1,480 stores, turnover reached €5.84 billion, up 14.3% …
Walmart’s latest venture into ecological household goods indicates that the USA’s number one retailer sees ethicality as an increasingly mass-market concern. Its new Great Value Naturals line has been recently rolled out in more than 2,000 Walmart stores across the US, and is promoted as being as effective as leading conventional cleaners. Based on a new “all-natural” plant-based technology called “Evolve”, the range is advertised as 100 percent chemical-free and …
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