Johnson & Johnson embarks on major upgrade
Jul 24 2009
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New technology upgrades are under way at the Johnson & Johnson manufacturing facility in East London as the plant gears up to incorporate two new production lines from Cape Town. The plant, based in Wilsonia, is also being realigned to report to a regional supply chain team for Europe, Middle East and Africa, rather than reporting to sales and marketing in Cape Town. 

“This is part of a world wide realignment of the Johnson & Johnson consumer group of companies, which looked at the different work streams within the business to ensure better focus on delivering quality products at best value,” said spokesperson Laura Nel.

The realignment meant the plant would have direct access to technical expertise from the global company, she said. The upgrade includes investment in new equipment, which in turn will lead to an increase in the plant's capacity. One of the two new product lines is a liquid line, which includes products such as Listerine.

“It is very difficult to say how many jobs will be created in Buffalo City, but you need additional hands if you are going to have additional lines,” she said.

Nel said on the downside, the Cape Town factory would be closing. Job losses are estimated at about 200.

The East London plant currently manufactures the majority of the company's products for 24 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, as well as supplying affiliate companies elsewhere in the world.

Source: Daily Dispatch, www.fastmoving.co.za, 24 July 2009