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From the Business Courier:
http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/print-edition/2011/02/25/loreal-bubbles-up-in-florence.html
L'Oréal bubbles up in Florence, bringing new jobs
Expansion in works for hair products manufacturer
Premium content from Business Courier - by Tom Demeropolis, Courier Staff Reporter
Date: Friday, February 25, 2011, 6:00am EST
Related: Manufacturing, Commercial Real Estate
L'Oréal USA Inc. in Florence is bringing one of its suppliers in-house to produce bottles for
its shampoo and conditioner products.
Alpla Inc. is moving a bottle-making operation inside L'Oréal USA's New Buffington Road
facility, bringing 18 new jobs to town and joining 300 L'Oréal employees. The multimilliondollar
project is expected to be complete as early as the fourth quarter.
A subsidiary of Paris-based L'Oréal Group, L'Oréal USA in Florence makes L'Oréal and
Fructis shampoos and conditioners. It supplies the entire North American market from the
facility, making about 170 million units per year.
Eric Wolff, vice president of manufacturing and factory manager, said the move will
increase productivity.
"This is the biggest project we've had on-site for some time," Wolff said.
Most of the construction work involves reconfiguring 41,000 square feet of space inside the
current manufacturing facility. Wolff did not discuss additional details.
"We're always looking at ways to optimize the business," he said.
Previously, L'Oréal used multiple vendors to supply its bottles.
Craig Todd, managing partner with Amend Consulting LLC, said manufacturers are
working much closer with their suppliers and vendors.
"When companies work that tightly together, value-added benefits are greater," Todd said.
"There are bottom-line savings; they're creating higher margins, better service and better
quality."
Sales of L'Oréal products in North America were up 4.1 percent year-over-year in 2010,
according to its annual results.
L'Oréal USA employs 300 between its Florence facility and its Walton distribution center,
making it one of the top 25 employers in Northern Kentucky. That's up from 264 employees
in 2009.
Dayton-based Miller-Valentine Group was awarded the $2 million design/build contract for
the renovation project. Matt Packer, executive project manager with Miller-Valentine, said
in addition to making way for the equipment to produce bottles, the real estate
development firm will upgrade the facility to LED lighting.
Miller-Valentine has worked on more than 20 projects for L'Oréal since 2003.
Tom Demeropolis
