Unilever opens technology center in Bangalore

BANGALORE: Consumer products maker Unilever on Thursday said it has opened a technology support and innovation center in Bangalore to provide IT services for its global operations as well as explore innovative ways of using technology to improve its business.

The 220,000 sq ft center in the outskirts of Bangalore, which currently houses 1400 staff, will be its largest technology center.

Unilever, which operates in India as Hindustan Unilever Ltd that sells popular brands such as Lipton, Sunsilk and Lux said the new center will provide services such as IT and information management services to both Unilever as well as its Indian arm. Unilever owns 52% stake in BSE-listed HUL, which also makes Kwality Wall's ice creams and Close Up toothpaste.

Unilever CEO Paul Polman said the Bangalore center will leverage the information technology ecosystem in India. The company said it plans to further scale up the capacity of its Bangalore center. The IT services from the center include building and supporting global SAP platforms for both companies.

Some of Unilever's existing IT services vendors such as Infosys and Accenture will continue to support the company and will have their staff based at the new center.

Unilever had recently shut four of its plants and cut close to 800 jobs in the UK.

Last month, the Anglo-Dutch company had reported its third quarter revenues €13.4 billion, aided by strong sales from developing markets. Emerging markets, which includes India, China, Indonesia etc, contributes about 55% of Unilever's revenues at present.