Unilever Phils projects 20% growth in sales this year

Unilever Philippines is projecting a 20-percent growth in sales for 2002, double the 10 percent growth last year, as the company introduces new products and embarks on a strong marketing blitz this year.

According to Howard Belton, Unilever country manager, the firm’s gross sales amounted to P20 billion in 2001, up 10 percent from the P12 billion sales recorded in 2000.

Unilever produces home and personal care and food products.

Sixty percent of Unilever’s gross sales came from its personal care products, while the remaining 40 percent was accounted for by its food products under the California Marketing Corp.

According to Renato D. Simpao, senior vice president for operations, and Kristien van Hecke, vice president for marketing of the Knorr brand, CMC’s gross sales grew by a strong 30 percent to P6 billion last year.

For this year, the CMC officials expect the company to duplicate its double-digit growth last year.

Unilever’s home care products include Sunsilk shampoo, Lifebuoy soap, Lux beauty products, Rexona deodorant and Close-Up toothpaste. Its food products under CMC include the Knorr seasoning and food products, Alsa, Royal pastas, Lady’s Choice mayonaise and spreads and Caro Syrup.

"The Unilever Group has some new good products, although it will be cautious about new product launches," Belton said. He disclosed that Unilever spent P1 billion last year for capital expenditures.

CMC introduced yesterday its new powder-form Knorr all-purpose seasoning and chicken powder, two cheese spread variants, and a new banana-tomato ketchup.

According to Van Hecke, the Philippines is actually an important market for Unilever as it accounts for 50 percent of the group’s sales in the Southeast Asian region.

Belton said the group also plans to export CMC’s Knorr seasoning products and Selecta brand ice cream soon to the US, Hong Kong and Singapore.

CMC also plans to come up with more cheese products in the future.

The Unilever group currently has four factories in the country.