Mechanical Technology June 2015

Mechanical Technology — June 2015

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Special report

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he Khanyisa factory forms a

massive part of Unilever’s R3.0-

billion capacity transformation

project (CTP) and is aligned to

Unilever’s global sustainable living plan

(USLP), which strives to reduce the com-

pany’s carbon footprint while targeting

a doubling of the size of the business.

The Khanyisa site has, therefore, been

designed to deliver a 50% reduction in

carbon emissions and a 70% reduction in

water usage per ton of product produced.

In addition, Unilever’s investments re-

quire significant new skills development

related to the state of the art technology

being used. “This investment has created

much needed indirect and direct jobs

in our value chain, helping to build the

South African economy,” says Polman.

Khanyisa is one of several major proj-

ects in South Africa and Africa and is part

of an overall strategy to upgrade the local

supply chain to world-class levels. The

investment will ensure a 67% increase

in production capacity from 90 000 to

150 000 t per year. The new factory will

produce popular brands in liquid form,

such as Omo, Handy Andy, Domestos,

Comfort and Sunlight, amongst others.

Polman says: “Transforming our pro-

duction capacity is one of four critical

initiatives that we are driving to meet

expected growth in demand. The Home

Care factory will enable us to better serve

consumers with innovation and green

technology, whilst simultaneously im-

proving service levels for customers. Our

aim is to have the right stock at the right

place in record time, accurately matching

the quantities expected by shoppers.”

Unilever’s SA capacity transformation

Unilever’s global CEO Paul Polman.

Trade and Industry Minister, Rob Davies.

Unilever’s new R1.4 billion Khanyisa Home Care factory in Boksburg.

Unilever’s R1.4-billion Khanyisa Home Care factory in Boksburg was opened

by global CEO Paul Polman and Trade and Industry Minister, Rob Davies on

June 2, 2015. The following day, the company’s Indonsa factory expansion

was opened in Durban, a R511-million investment.

The four critical initiatives for the

Khanyisa factory are:

• Increasing capacity to meet growth

ambitions.

• Improved efficiency to reduce cost.

• Improved technology to improve

quality.

• Improved technology to reduce envi-

ronmental impact.

The brand new factory, a project that

began in 2013, includes green and

world-first technologies. According to