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SUPPLY CHAIN

Unilever opens its new high-tech East Africa warehouse in Nairobi

By our News Team | 2023

Equipped with the latest developments in automated storage and retrieval systems, it will handle high-mix, health and beauty products. 

FMCG giant Unilever East Africa has opened a new 23,000 square metre warehouse in Nairobi. The facility cost US$3.6-m to build and has automated storage and retrieval systems that allow the company to process and ship its orders more efficiently.

According to Unilever, the warehouse is designed to flexibly handle high-mix, health, and beauty products across the region. 

Supply Chain

Photo credit: Blunt Architects

It is equipped with the latest developments in automated storage and retrieval systems and has a greater pallet capacity to enable the company to store, process and ship its products in a more efficient manner.

Increasing demand but limited warehousing capacity

Luck Ochieng, MD of Unilever Kenya, said that, with the new facility, the company aimed to close the gap between higher demand and shortage of supply. He noted that there has been increasing demand for Unilever’s products in recent times, but limited warehousing capacity to support this.

“At Unilever, we continue to invest and strengthen our commitment to Kenya with the expansion of our facilities in the country. We strongly believe in the potential of this country and our consumers, and we are fully committed to playing a role in their respective growth stories,” added Unilever’s Head of Supply Chain in Africa, Christian Byron. 

He noted that 70% of raw and packaging materials used by Unilever for production in Africa was made in Africa, which had a positive impact on the affordability of the company’s products.

Unilever East Africa is present in Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda. It has five factories in the region, which it says manufactures 81% of FMCG products sold in East Africa.

Dr Kin Kariisa

Group CEO - Next Media

Dr. Kin Kariisa is an extraordinary force at the helm of Next Media Services, a conglomerate encompassing NBS TV, Nile Post, Sanyuka TV, Next Radio, Salam TV, Next Communication, Next Productions, and an array of other influential enterprises. His dynamic role as Chief Executive Officer exemplifies his unwavering commitment to shaping media, business, and community landscapes.
With an esteemed academic journey, Dr. Kariisa’s accolades include an Honorary PhD in exemplary community service from the United Graduate College inTexas, an MBA from United States International University in Nairobi, Kenya, a Master’s degree in Computer Engineering from Huazong University in China, and a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics from Makerere University.
Dr. Kariisa pursued PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radboud University in Nijmegen, Netherlands. As a dynamic educator, he has shared his expertise as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at both Makerere University and Radboud University.

Dr Kin did his PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radbond University in Nigmegen, Netherlands. He previously served as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda and Radbond University in Netherlands.

Dr Kin did his postgraduate courses in Strategic Business Management, Strategic Leadership Communication and Strategies for Leading Successful Change Initiatives at Harvard University, Boston USA.

  • Other current and previous roles played by Dr Kin Kariisa:
  • Lecturer of e-Government and Information Security to graduate students at Makerere University, Kampala and Radbond University in the Netherlands
  • Director of Eco Bank Uganda Limited, one of the largest banks in Africa
  • Chairman of the National Association of Broadcasters, an umbrella industry association for all Television, Radio and online broadcasters in Uganda.
  • Chairman of Board of Directors of Nile Hotel International, that owns the leading hotel in Uganda, Kampala Serena Hotel.
  • Chairman of Board of Directors of Soliton Telmec Uganda, the leading telecom company in Optic fibre business managing over 80% of optic fibre in Uganda.