The Procter & Gamble Company on January 10 announced it will invest $35 million to $50 million in its South Boston Manufacturing Center, a state-of-the-art facility also known as Gillette World Shaving Headquarters.
The 33-acre South Boston, Mass., site will house research and development, engineering, manufacturing, marketing and business support related to the Gillette blade and razor business. Employees now located in the Prudential Tower Building in Boston's Back Bay will relocate to the South Boston facility when the current Prudential Tower lease expires in 2009.
"This major new investment underscores P&G's continued strong commitment to our premier shaving facility and to our robust presence here in Massachusetts," said Chip Bergh, president, global grooming. "By combining the key blade and razor functions in one location, we will further strengthen our focus on world-class shaving product innovation and manufacturing technology."
At rededication ceremonies marking the 100th anniversary of the South Boston Manufacturing Center in 2005, P&G announced a three-year $200 million capital investment program focused on improving the facility's research and development and manufacturing capabilities. The investment of $35 million to $50 million announced January 10 is additional funding that will be used to upgrade and expand office space, lobby and meeting areas, training rooms, a cafeteria and an employee fitness center.
P&G also announced an internal reorganization, effective July 1, 2007, in which the Gillette Blade and Razor and Braun businesses will become part of P&G Beauty and Health, and the Duracell battery business will join P&G Household Care. These reporting changes will not change the physical location of the operations, with Gillette Blades and Razors remaining in South Boston, Braun in Kronberg, Germany, and Duracell in Bethel, Conn.
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