Thai takes over local unit of Unilever

He will be replaced by Supattra Paopiamsap as the new chairwoman of the Unilever Group of Companies in Thailand, while Sandeep Kohli will head operations in Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos.
Supattra becomes the second Thai executive and first Thai woman to sit at the top position at Unilever Thailand. Viroj Phutrakul was chairman from 1979 until he retired from the company in 1995. Viroj died in 2003 at the age of 68.
The company said it was proud to announce Supattra as Rouwers’ successor for the Thailand business. She is a 22-year Unilever veteran who brings a wealth of category and market experience to her new role, having worked in regional roles as well as in China, Malaysia and Singapore.
“Supattra reflects all the strengths of Unilever’s talent strategy that combines a well-rounded Unilever managerial development plan with as deep understanding of the local consumer,” Rouwers said. “Her promotion to the top Unilever management position in Thailand signals the success of the company’s strategy to develop both diversity and local leadership talent.”
Responding to her appointment as Unilever Thailand’s first female leader, Supattra said she was immensely proud to lead a senior management team that was predominantly Thai and female.
“Although the Thai economy is going through challenging times, with the momentum that Unilever Thailand has built up under the leadership of Bauke Rouwers over the last five and a half years, I feel very confident that with our senior management team and great in-depth talent throughout the organisation, Unilever Thailand will continue to grow, but in an even more sustainable manner,” she said.
She also thanked Rouwers for all the guidance and support he had provided her since they had started working together five years ago.
Unilever said Rouwers had led its unit covering Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos in a sustainable growth strategy at a crucial time for the company. During his time, the annual turnover almost doubled while at the same time the company successfully reduced its environmental impact while increasing its social impact.
Furthermore, Unilever has made significant investments in Thailand, totalling Bt6 billion, establishing a regional research and development centre, a new factory and increased manufacturing capabilities, a new distribution centre, and a new corporate-headquarters building.
In 2011, Rouwers oversaw the launch of a “Take U Home” programme in response to the floods in Thailand. The programme was focused on helping a million Thais who were forced to vacate their flooded homes to return to their residences.
Recently the company has begun recycling of |all the non-hazardous waste it creates in Thailand. It has also launched a public-private partnership with the Interior Ministry, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Federation of Thai Industries, and the Environmental Journalists Association to reduce waste and increase recycling in the country.
Rouwers was also instrumental in establishing Unilever business in Myanmar in 2010, which now is a locally registered multinational that with its local marketing and sales operations operates two |manufacturing plants in that country.
Rouwers, who has a degree in business economics, joined Unilever in the Netherlands in 1991. After that he held a variety of marketing positions across Europe, the Americas and Asia, before taking over as chairman Unilever Thailand in 2009.
He will continue in his current role until September 30, and then hand over his responsibilities to both Supattra Paopiamsap and Sandeep Kohli.