Unilever opens first manufacturing facility outside Luzon in Cebu

Unilever Philippines Inc. opened its first manufacturing facility outside Luzon in Cebu, aiming to support the company’s growing demand across the Visayas and Mindanao regions.

Located in Mandaue City, the new 1,600-sqm collaborative manufacturing facility is expected to produce the brand’s homegrown liquid products, including Surf Fabric Conditioners and Fabclean Liquids.

Unilever Philippines said in a statement that the strategic expansion strengthens its presence nationwide and advances a more localized, sustainable supply chain. The brand said that its products are present in nine out of ten Filipino households.

“Collaborating with local partners is essential to building a more agile and resilient local supply chain,” Van Nguyen Thi Bich, general manager for Home Care, Unilever Greater Asia, said in a statement.

“It allows us to serve Filipino households faster and more efficiently, all while fostering livelihood opportunities and strengthening regional economies,” she added.

The move is also expected to improve Unilever Philippines’ operational agility, shorten lead times, lower transport costs, and support regional livelihoods.

Logistics-related emissions are also expected to be minimized, as sea shipments from Luzon to the Visayas and Mindanao will be eliminated.

The facility will leverage the refreshed Unilever Manufacturing System (UMS), a digital framework integrating analytics and artificial intelligence to create a leaner, more agile, and efficient supply chain.

The Philippines remains one of the fastest-growing Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) markets in ASEAN, with steady momentum across Beauty & Wellbeing, Personal Care, Foods, and Home Care sectors, Unilever said.

According to the outlook released by Worldpanel by Numerator in February, the country’s FMCG sector is expected to experience slower growth in 2026 due to the lingering effects of last year’s weaker economic performance.

In-home FMCG, which covers packaged food, beverages, and home and personal care products, is projected to expand by 3% to 4% next year, down from the 5.2% growth recorded in 2025.

The sector also saw a 0.9% decline in the fourth quarter of 2025. — Edg Adrian A. Eva