L’Oréal announced today the opening of its first factory in Russia, located 85 km south of Moscow, in the Kaluga region. The target for the French cosmetics giant is to respond to the spurting local demand.

With sales of 563 million euros in 2009, L’Oréal Russia registered a sales growth of + 17.6% in the first-half of 2010. “Since 2004, L’Oréal Russia has tripled its sales. It is the 8th market for the Group in terms of sales and is one of L’Oréal’s fastest growing markets,” explains Pekka Huttunen, L’Oréal Russia General Manager.

The new 10,000 m2 facility will manufacture shampoos, hair conditioners, and hair-dyes for the group’s mass market brands - L’Oréal Paris and Garnier - to be distributed in Russia, Ukraine and in the Community of Independent States (CIS).

The factory’s initial output will reach up to 120 million units per year, however, according to L’Oréal, this figure may more than double as demand continues to evolve.

The L’Oréal Russia factory currently employs more than 60 people, and this number should grow up to 300 people in the future.

L’Oréal Russia factory in Kaluga