WEF recognises business impact of Unilever’s supply chain tech investments
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Technology is accelerating Unilever’s operational excellence. Our ongoing digital supply chain transformation has driven d‑commerce growth, increased resilience and reduced environmental impact, earning new WEF Global Lighthouse Network designations.
Unilever is using the latest technology to deliver operational excellence across our supply chain.
To win in the age of AI, we’re continuing to strategically invest in cutting-edge digital tools at our factories and distribution centres. From increased productivity and faster demand fulfilment to reduced emissions, we’ve driving business growth and our efforts have not gone unnoticed.
Every year, the World Economic Forum (WEF) grants Global Lighthouse Network (GLN) status to industry leaders who are using advanced technology to improve their business performance and strengthen sustainability. Three Unilever sites received Lighthouse status in the latest wave, taking our global total to 11 designations, across ten sites (Hefei now as has two) – a new record in the FMCG sector.
Unilever’s digital supply chain transformation is driving growth
Recognised by the WEF for supply chain resilience, sustainability and productivity, the new sites demonstrate world‑class digital transformation in action and offer an insight into how investing in innovation is giving our business a competitive edge.
As one of the priority markets for Unilever, India has potential for dramatic growth in the years to come. Our sites in Gandhidham and Pondicherry are standout examples of how we’re scaling and leveraging tech across our supply chain operations in the region to realise this potential. In China, offline channels are declining while e-commerce is growing. To meet this need, we transformed our Hefei site, creating a dedicated d-commerce distribution centre which fulfils consumer orders straight from the factory.
“At Unilever, advanced technology and AI are delivering real impact at scale across our supply chain. Our WEF Lighthouse sites reflect how our world-class operations are combining digital innovation with the passion and expertise of our people, enabling us to respond faster to demand, operate more efficiently and continuously raise performance across our global network,” says Willem Uijen, Chief Supply Chain and Operations Officer.
Spotlight on Unilever’s new WEF Lighthouse sites
Hefei factory-to-consumer site, China
WEF Global Lighthouse Distinction in Supply Chain Resilience
Transforming our planning, fulfilment and logistics through advanced supply chain technology helps us respond rapidly to consumer trends and build resilience. The first distribution centre in the FMCG industry to earn Lighthouse status, Hefei is meeting fast-growing d-commerce demand while keeping costs low. The site’s transition to a factory-to-consumer model has been supported by 31 digitally enabled use cases, 65% of which are GenAI-driven.
What we’re doing:
The logistics operation centre are deploying nearly 120 robots to move goods more efficiently, achieving a 90% automation level
GenAI is managing the supply chain in real time
Linking 12+ systems across partners and online stores to accelerate responses
The impact
Orders are fulfilled 75% faster and logistics costs are down by 24%
Inventory capacity has been expanded by 50% without expanding physical footprint
We’re managing 31,000+ orders a day across 400+ products
Gandhidham Personal Care site, India
WEF Global Lighthouse Distinction in Sustainability
Gandhidham, our largest Personal Care site in South Asia, manufactures Power Brands including Lux, Lifebuoy and Dove. Operating in Kutch, a water-scarce region, we’ve used smart tech and digital innovation to improve water stewardship and lower our emissions.
What we’re doing
AI and digital twins are reducing on-site water consumption and supporting local farmers to do the same
High-speed cameras and machine learning spot defects, cut waste and ensure unmissable quality in our products
Digital twins optimise energy use and support our transition to renewable fuels and low-emission refrigerants
The impact
17% less water used on-site, plus over 6 billion litres saved in the community
48% less material waste and 90% reduction of Scope 1 and 2 emissions
Supported 24% production growth at the site between 2021 and 2024
Pondicherry Home Care site, India
WEF Global Lighthouse Distinction in Productivity
Pondicherry is driving growth in India, supplying 60% of regional demand for Home Care Power Brands like Surf Excel, Rin, Vim and Comfort. The site has adopted digital tools and AI to meet rising demand, expand product variety and deliver unmissable product quality, fuelling continued growth in the region.
What we’re doing
Machine learning predicts and controls product quality in real time
Cameras and AI identify and fix line issues, reducing downtime
Digital tools enable flexible production, allowing a threefold increase in product variants within existing production capacity
The impact
We’ve doubled production speed and increased production volume by 25%
Pondicherry now makes three times as many product variants without needing more space
The factory supplies 60% of South India’s demand, up from 40%
The core solutions at some of these sites are now being scaled across Unilever sites all over the world. For instance, our factory-to-consumer model and solutions have been rolled out to all Unilever sites in China, and they’re now being adopted as a global benchmark.
These initiatives strengthen our competitive edge and create long-term value for our stakeholders, while contributing to a more sustainable future.
Priya Nair, CEO and MD, Hindustan Unilever Limited
Our investment in advanced technology is reshaping the way value is created across our business, delivering real impact for our customers and consumers, supporting growth and helping us move towards our sustainability goals. By embedding digital capability within our factories and distribution centres, we’re building supply chain resilience, increasing quality, accelerating efficiency and strengthening our market position.
AI is delivering tangible results across our Personal Care business. From factory floor to in-store, we look at how tapping into the right tools is leading to superior innovation, execution and decision-making.
Research is showing that businesses that prioritise frontline teams are gaining a competitive edge in manufacturing. We look at how talent transformation is driving growth, operational excellence and productivity in our factories around the world.
We’re on an exciting journey to transform our manufacturing approach with the global roll-out of a refreshed digital model. Read how it’s improving productivity, streamlining operations and providing an essential catalyst to deliver our strategy.
