Wilmar opens $30m detergent manufacturing plant in Tema
Priscilla Ntim Adomaa
A producer of household consumer products, Wilmar has inaugurated a first of its kind detergent manufacturing plant at its factory in Tema.
The $30 million plant has the capacity to produce up to 24,000 tonnes of detergent which is enough to meet the country’s total demand for the product.
This makes Wilmar the only company that is currently able to locally produce detergent from raw material state to the finished product.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony at Tema on July 1, the Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr. Alan Kyeremanteng said “The establishment of this state-of-the-art factory underscores the importance of such a strategic partnership between the private sector and government in pursuit of our common goal of creating jobs and bringing prosperity to our people.”
“This new detergent manufacturing plant is going to provide direct employment for about 220 people which will improve their livelihoods and that of their dependents.
“In addition, the establishment of the company will boost the government’s strategic effort aimed at import substitution, especially in sectors where there is local capacity for value addition,” he said.
On his part, the General Manager of Wilmar, Mr. Kwame Wiafe, stated that the investment represents the company’s long-standing commitment to the country and its way of advancing the Build Ghana Buy Ghana agenda while impacting households with its reliable products.
“Over the years, we have worked tirelessly to make Wilmar products the choice brands in every home. The opening of the Detergent Plant today demonstrates our commitment to invest even more in our business so we can meet our customers’ expectations,” Mr. Wiafe said.
With the opening of the new plant, Wilmar Africa will now be producing its much-loved Jamaa powdered soap from start to finish – a great move compared to other similar competing products which are imported and bagged in Ghana.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Africa Wilmar International, Mr. Santosh Pillai, said: “We are delighted to open this landmark manufacturing plant in the country.
“It’s our vision to ensure that we become the lead manufacturer of household consumer products and today’s milestone is a clear testament of Ghana’s strong position in Wilmar Africa’s footprint.
“Wilmar’s vision is to be the company that understands and satisfies the everyday household needs in our markets – thus becoming the leading consumer products company in Ghana.
“We are excited by the government’s renewed support for the manufacturing sector. We stand ready to explore opportunities presented by the government for the benefit of companies like Wilmar Africa,” he noted.
Wilmar Africa Limited is one of the leading fast-moving consumer goods companies (FMCG) committed to the processing, packaging, and distribution of a wide variety of consumer products and brands such as Frytol, Fortune, Viking, Alife, and Jamaa for local and international markets.
