President of InvestSP participates in the opening of P&G’s Innovation Center in Louveira
InvestSP provided support during the implementation of the company’s first research unit in Brazil
Invest São PauloOn Tuesday (7), the president of InvestSP, Wilson Mello, participated in the opening of the first Innovation Center of Procter & Gamble (P&G) in Brazil, in the city of Louveira. The US multinational invested approximately R$ 200 million in facilities, hiring of skilled labor and in the feasibility of operations. The unit will be dedicated to product research and development for the entire Latin American region, as well as rising countries such as Russia.
The Investment Promotion Agency of the State of São Paulo, InvestSP, which had already assisted P&G in the expansion of its detergent line in the city, provided support during the implementation of the new Innovation Center. The agency followed the company’s processes seeking to obtain environmental licensing from the respective agencies.
“P&G’s investment in this research center is very important for the state of São Paulo. It shows that we offer the necessary structure for companies to produce here what currently has more value, which is innovation. We will continue our work so that more investments like this are established in São Paulo,” said Mello.
Brazil is the eighth country to receive an Innovation Center of P&G, which has in total 14 centers worldwide. Its choice was made by P&G Global after an analysis of the strategic advantages for the company, which include, among other aspects, being the 3rd largest market for the categories in which P&G operates, upscale technical talent, growth potential and adequate infrastructure.
“In order to make the decision on where to build the innovation center we did what we always do –we listened to our consumers. And Brazilians are so diverse and demanding that we can replicate the lessons learned here to other countries. To have an idea, Brazil has the highest frequency in tooth brushing, use of conditioner and deodorants. We are sure that Brazil is the right choice to boost our growth,” said Juan Fernando Posada, President of P&G for Latin America.
The Innovation Center will be responsible for conducting research for various business sectors, including: baby care, beauty, home and hygiene, women's care and oral health, with the purpose of developing increasingly sustainable products, packaging and production processes. It will also conduct consumer surveys, ranging from focus groups to virtual reality sessions.
For this, P&G has a team of 150 scientists from more than 10 nationalities. They will be responsible for listening, experiencing and understanding everything about the Latin American consumer so that P&G continues to deliver tailor-made solutions that are truly tailored to the needs, habits and characteristics of the different families that use its products.
Louveira also houses one of the four plants of P&G in Brazil, as well as a Distribution Center, thus becoming the only multi-category Campus of P&G, which means that the entire product development chain is concentrated in a single place, from product creation to the moment it goes to the client.