Shiseido unifies different functions of brands in US

Make-up and fragrance manufacturer Shiseido is unifying its US finance, legal and human resources functions of its Bare Escentuals, Beauté Prestige International USA, NARS, and Shiseido premier consumer brands under a shared services platform.

The company has also announced the integration of the US distribution operations of its brands at its Columbus, Ohio distribution centre, which will become the firm’s Americas distribution point.

Shiseido has revealed its plans to formally merge its US manufacturing business, Shiseido America (SAI), into its Americas umbrella organisation, Shiseido Americas (SAC).

The Japan-based cosmetics firm is currently promoting its Three-Year Plan (April 2011 – March 2014), based on which it aims to become a global player representing Asia with its origins in Japan.

According to the firm, the key changes in the organisational structure will strengthen its corporate support for the diverse brands and provide an improved platform to provide an impetus to their growth both in the US and globally.

Shiseido Americas chairman and CEO Carsten Fischer said the company’s new restructuring could create a top manufacturing and distribution platform in the nation, benefiting the brands in the region.

"We are committed to preserving each brand’s unique character and individual spirit, and we expect this shared services platform will better position each of the brands for future growth by providing world class support in the U.S. By combining the back office strengths of our various brands, each can become a stronger player in the U.S. as well as globally, and the Company can more efficiently and effectively serve its valued partners and customers," said Fischer.

The firm said it has also started the process of contouring its US distribution operations and anticipates to complete the facility integration by the end of the third quarter of 2013.

Fischer also commented that company is intending to merge the subsidiary by 1 January 2014.