Cussons to invest £21m in Nigeria

PZ Cussons has announced it is to make a major new £21 million investment in its Nigerian factories.

The Stockport-based maker of Imperial Leather soap said Nigeria, its largest market, has been strong across all categories, from homecare and personal care to electricals and nutrition.

The Nigerian investment is aimed at upgrading its soaps and detergents production facilities in the country, with expenditure to be incurred over the next three years. It has already invested £18m in the facilities since 2007 in the first stage of the project.

At the same time, the company said that UK sales had been strong, although it was "conscious of the difficult consumer environment".

It added that The Sanctuary, the London spa and upmarket beauty products brand which it bought for £75 million in January 2008, was trading in line with expectations.

In a trading update, the company confirmed that production had started at its new UK manufacturing facility in Agecroft, Manchester, with transfer of the remaining production capacity expected to be completed on schedule by the end of the calendar year. Construction of the new Innovation Centre on the same site has also begun.