Gandang Kalikasan expands product line

CEBU, Philippines - The rising demand for all-organic beauty and body care products in the Philippines has led social enterprise company Gandang Kalisan Inc. (GKI) to introduce another category of its lines, now expanding to men and baby care.

GKI head for marketing Joanna C. Gilladoga said that by fourth quarter of this year, GKI which brings the Human Nature (HN) brand in the Philippines will be introducing its Men’s Care and Baby Care lines.

Although majority of its products are largely geared towards women, this time, she said the company has decided to tap the growing number of men seeking for health-friendly body care, significantly mothers who are on their desperate need to provide only chemical-free baby care products.

Initially, Human Nature will introduce its version of diaper-rash care, and baby lotion. Men’s care lines on the other hand, will be announced soon.

The two-year old company started by young British millionaire Dylan Wilk and Filipina wife Anna Meloto-Wilk is now reaching out to all market segments, in order to promote all-Filipino made products, at the same time helping a growing number of farmers around the country.

At present, about 30 percent of the company’s work-force is beneficiaries of Gawad Kalinga (GK), while it also supports four large farming communities around the country.

This year, GKI is targeting to work closely with six more farming communities to support the company’s growing need for plant-based raw materials.

With a total number of 17,000 dealers in 19 HN branches nationwide, Gilladoga said that the company targets to grow at least 1,000 dealers a month, to help promote use of environment-friendly, no-chemical wellness products for all market segments, including babies and men.

Hopefully, with the addition of its men and baby care categories double-digit growth is expected.

Likewise, the company is on its constant move to improve all its product lines. This year, the company was able to introduce its make-up product lines, improved its shampoo and conditioner variants, and well as introduced its bug-shield lotion format.

Currently working with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) for research and development (R&D) to broaden product lines and continuously improve its existing products, the company is also working closely with the Central Luzon State University for the development of Sunflower farming industry in the Philippines.

Because the company is a hard-core social enterprise, Gilladoga said prices of quality organic products are pegged within the affordability level of every Filipino, after-all the company is built within the thrust of “breaking the cycle” of poverty in the country.

Wilk, who is the 8th riches man (below 30 years old) in United Kingdom, gave up his wealth in U.K. to help the marginalized community in the Philippines, to support the globally recognized “Gawad Kalinga” movement.

Together with his Filipina wife, Anna, the Wilk couple established the GKI to maximize the rich natural resources in the Philippines, as well as help the poor communities earn good income.

Today, HN offers a total of 120 product lines.

GKI is largely using flowers, plants, vegetables, and fruits richly grown in the Philippines, which have good natural ingredients to nourish, beautify human body. These are the Moringa (Malungay), Lemongrass (Tanglad), Sunflower, Citronilla, Tomato, Aloe Vera, Virgin Coconut Oil, Honey, Guava, Carrageenan, Gugo bark, cucumber, mango, calamansi, Avocado, peppermint, sugarcane, melon, banana, among others.

All HN products are sold through direct-selling concept, although the company has recently announced its entry to the conventional retail channel, via high-end retail shops such as Rustans, Beauty Bar, among others. (FREEMAN)