German personal care major Beiersdorf AG’s affiliate Nivea India Private Ltd., opened its $156 million plant at Sanand in the western state of Gujarat, its first in the country.
The 775,000 square feet land was acquired by the company from the Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation last year. Currently, the factory has 200 employees, and has the capacity to produce about 80 million units a year, including creams and lotions in tubes, jars, tins and bottles. The plant will manufacture Nivea and Nivea Men brand products for India and its neighboring countries, reports Livemint.
Additionally, the new unit houses a regional development lab that will focus on innovations especially for Indian consumer needs. “The idea is to get closer to the consumer and to respond faster to market needs. We can focus on local insights with greater flexibility and develop products that are suitable for Indian skin care needs. Our aim will be to provide products of the highest quality that are aspirational yet accessible for the growing Indian middle class consumer,” said Stefan De Loecker, executive board member, Beiersdorf AG.
According to the company, the skincare and deodorants market in India is $1.1 billion to $1.8 billion.
