A R100 million incremental investment in local manufacturing
Unilever South Africa has officially commissioned a new Vaseline Petroleum Jelly production line at its Maydon Wharf manufacturing facility in Durban. The additional R100 million investment expands production capacity, strengthens supply resilience and reinforces the company’s long-term commitment to South African manufacturing.
Established in 1912, shortly after the opening of Port Sunlight in the United Kingdom, Maydon Wharf was the second Unilever manufacturing facility established globally. The site originally produced Sunlight bar soap and has since developed into a multi-technology, multi-brand manufacturing hub serving consumers across Africa and international markets.
Strengthening Vaseline production and exports
Maydon Wharf is a leading Vaseline Petroleum Jelly manufacturing hub, supplying approximately 60% of Unilever’s global Vaseline Petroleum Jelly volume. The new line increases capacity, supports supply resilience and enables the Durban facility to serve growing demand across Africa and international markets.
Stefan Cloete, Chief Executive Officer of Unilever Southern Africa, said: “Maydon Wharf represents the very best of Unilever’s heritage, capability and ambition. This additional R100 million investment strengthens our ability to manufacture trusted brands locally, supports jobs and skills development, and reinforces South Africa’s role as a strategic manufacturing hub serving both regional and global markets.”
“This investment is a vote of confidence in South Africa’s manufacturing future and in the talented people who make Maydon Wharf such an important part of Unilever’s growth story,” Cloete added.
Partnership for manufacturing competitiveness
The ribbon-cutting ceremony brought together representatives from national, provincial and local government, business, logistics and the media. Their participation reflected the partnerships required to strengthen South Africa’s manufacturing competitiveness and export readiness.
The investment enhances local manufacturing capability, improves production competitiveness and reinforces KwaZulu-Natal’s position as a strategic industrial and export platform. By continuing to invest in South Africa, Unilever is showing how local manufacturing can serve consumers, sustain livelihoods, strengthen supply chains and connect South African-made products to regional and global markets.