Right: Cussons’ Mark Cunningham inspects liquid detergent at the Dandenong plant. 30839 Picture: Stewart Chambers
By Lia Bichel
PZ CUSSONS’ successful products, environmental practices and commitment to its employees have earned the company a deserved spot in the Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame.
For 125 years PZ Cussons has specialised in personal care, household and laundry cleaning products. The company has developed some of Australia’s top leading brands, including Radiant, Duo, Morning Fresh, Imperial Leather, Pure and Trix.
The products have helped the company’s annual sales soar to past $200 million.
With its head office in Melbourne, there are 33 PZ Cussons in Victoria, and detergents and liquid manufacturing is carried out at the recently upgraded, multimillion-dollar Dandenong Plant.
“(PZ Cussons) has had a long presence in Victoria, and has been in Dandenong for the past 20 years,” said managing director George Fatouros.
“We produce 50 to 60 tonnes (of products) a year and are the only major company in Australia to have a dishwashing tablet facility.”
The company is environmentally friendly. It works with the EPA to develop various water projects through the PZ Cussons Australia CSR program and is launching phosphate-free dishwasher tablets designed to reduce the detrimental impact on the water system.
Another conservation move to super-concentrated formula has seen PZ Cussons reduce the use of cardboard packaging and decrease the amount of freight.
PZ Cussons Australia is also committed to developing its employees’ skills and providing a safe work environment.
Mr Fatouros said he was thrilled the company was inducted into the Manufacturing Hall of Fame but credited the 250 staff members for their work.
“It’s very exciting, more so for our workers though,” he said. “It recognises their efforts.”
Mr Fatouros said he hoped the company continued to improve and became a strong, sustainable and profitable business.
