British PM visit: Unilever announces Rs 360-cr plant in Maharashtra

FMCG company Unilever on Monday said it will invest over Rs 360 crore to set up a deodorant manufacturing facility in Maharashtra.

In a statement, it said: “Unilever has used the visit of British Prime Minister David Cameron to its Hindustan Unilever business in Mumbai to announce that it is investing 50 million euro to set up its first Asian aerosol deodorant manufacturing facility in Khamgaon, Maharashtra.” 

Unilever Chief Supply Chain Officer Pier Luigi Sigismondi said, “This investment in India is part of our broader expansion plans to help us achieve our ambition of doubling our business, whilst halving our environmental impact.”

The Khamgaon plant is one of the 30 new factories to be ready by 2015 and the company would utilise the latest technology to deliver increased quality products to its consumers, while meeting Unilever's 'Sustainable Living Plan' commitments, he added.

Commenting on the development, British Prime Minister David Cameron said, “Unilever is a shining example of how a business with British roots can succeed in India and beyond.”
The company said investment in Khamgaon would be phased over three years and production capacity will gradually be scaled up to generate direct employment to over 150 people and indirect employment to about 200 people.

‘Indo-British biz ties’

Chairman Emeritus of Tata group, Ratan Tata, on Monday called for deeper partnership between India and the UK, saying it would serve both countries and help in tapping the potential of Asia and Africa.

At a luncheon session the visiting British Prime Minister David Cameron had with corporate India here, Tata said: “If India and England could be partners, both can not only serve the large Indian market but also cater to the third-party markets together.....like Asia and Africa.”

He also said Tata group companies' experience in England has been very positive.  After the buyout of one of the largest British steel companies Corus and car brands Jaguar and Land Rover, Tata group is now the largest manufacturer in England.

Tata said: “It has been a very pleasant experience in Britain; the value and the manner in which the government supports us."