March 22, Bila Tserkva, Unilever marked the start of its new factory with an official groundbreaking ceremony and the laying of a commemorative capsule at its construction site on the “Bila Tserkva” industrial park.
As announced last year, Unilever has invested €20million in the new factory, which will produce personal care products including shampoos and shower gels for brands such as Dove, Axe, TRESemmé and Clear.
Head of the Kyiv regional administration, Ruslan Kravchenko, commented: “ Industrial parks development supports the recovery of manufacturing in Kyiv region during the Russia’s war against Ukraine. The opening of new productions helps to increase the income and well-being of local communities, increase tax revenues and stimulate the development of small and medium-sized enterprises in the region. I am proud that today Kyiv region is one of the leaders in the development of industrial parks in Ukraine. We highly value our international partners and the willingness, in particular, of British business to set up a new production and make investment in our region. Representatives of the business community can be sure that we will continue to promote their development and support initiatives aimed to grow and strengthen the economy of the Kyiv region.“
The new Unilever factory will span 4.2 hectares and will have a production capacity of over 5,000 tons per year. Its construction is set to be finished towards the end of 2024.
Vasyl Bovdilov, General Manager, Unilever Ukraine, said: “Today has been an important event for expanding our business and developing the industry. The construction of the new factory shows our ambitious plans and long-term commitment to Ukraine. The new production will create up to 100 new jobs, contribute to the growth of the local FMCG market and expand Ukraine’s export opportunities.”
The factory is being built in accordance with a green and sustainable industrial ecosystem, with efficient use of water and energy resources, comfortable working conditions and minimal impact on the environment. The office premises of the factory are designed considering the needs of people with reduced mobility. A ground-based mobile shelter has been already created on the construction site, and the factory building will include an underground shelter as well.
Land management and investment attractiveness were considered while choosing the location for the facility. The industrial park located in Bila Tserkva has a site ready for construction with engineering communications and ready-made road infrastructure, which reduces the time for construction.
Vasyl Khmelnytskyi, the founder of Ufuture holding, which includes the “Bila Tserkva” industrial park, added: “I am sure that the development of production is a key driver for the recovery and growth of the Ukrainian economy. The fact that even despite the war we manage to attract new investors is a positive trend, we open the way to innovation and the creation of quality jobs, supporting the economy at this critical time. In addition, I believe that this can contribute to the attraction of foreign experience and investments, which are currently needed for our country.“
Deputy Head of Kyiv State Regional Administration, Lesya Karnaukh, Mayor of Bila Tserkva, Hennadiy Dykyi, and Iryna Starenka, head of Bila Tserkva regional administration, have also visited an official groundbreaking ceremony.
