P&G puts PH on top priority for expansion
Procter & Gamble (P&G), world's leading consumer products manufacturer whose market in the country is its third biggest in Asia Pacific, has placed the Philippines as its top priority in the region for expansion opportunities because of the country's strong economic growth.
Visiting P&G President for Asia Pacific Selling & Market Operations Hatsunori Kiriyama cited the Philippines for having the fastest economic growth in the region.
"Definitely, we will invest, we can expand some more of our product portfolio. We will put the Philippines our top priority," he said.
He said that as the Philippine economy continues to grow, so does the growth of its business thus facilitating additional product portfolio and investments. "So I am very optimistic about the Philippines from the business and country points of view. It is one of the hot countries in southeast Asia," he said.
Some P&G products are being produced at its plant in Cabuyao, Laguna while some are imported from its production hubs in the region. Some of these are also exported to ASEAN, including its best-selling dishwashing liquid soap Joy.
P&G is present in four product categories such as fabric detergents and conditioners; baby and feminine care; beauty (skin and hair products); and health.
Kiriyama said that some of its products hold leading market positions in the country. But they will have to review which of the 75 to 80 brands have no presence here yet or not produced here but have the potential to be launched or produced here.
At least 80 percent of products produced here are sold in the local market and 20 percent are geared for the domestic market.
He added that what is unique in the Philippines is that being its second oldest subsidiary after the US, it has a well-established manufacturing operations.
Aside from expansion of its product portfolio, Kiriyama noted that P&G is strong on people development with the Philippines being one of its talent resource pool.
He said that Filipinos are now taking leadership positions not just in the Philippines but in various P&G operations abroad. P&G has presence in 180 countries employing 170,000 people.
In fact, P&G vice president for Global Feminine Care Fama Francisco, who is now based in the US, is a Filipina who once served in P& G Philippines.
Aside from growing its company organically in the country, P&G has been trying to develop leaders among its customers in the country or the small and medium enterprises.
The Philippines is the second country after Singapore where P&G has introduced its "Leadership College" program, which aims to develop leaders among the SMEs so they can grow their business.