Univar expands North African business with new distribution facility in Tunisia

Its legal entity in the country is now fully operational and joins the company’s similar entities in Morocco, Egypt and Algeria; which together form the backbone of Univar's North African offering. 

"The chemical distribution industry in Tunisia right now is highly fragmented and dominated by domestic players,"​ explains Nick Powell, Univar's regional vice president of the Middle East, Africa, Greece, and Turkey.

Significant opportunity​

"There is a significant opportunity for an international distributor like Univar that can leverage a global supply chain but still work closely with customers on the ground."​

It is not exactly new ground for the cosmetics ingredient distributor, having been active in Tunisia for more than a decade selling products from its French and UK entities, but this is the first time it has established a local operation in the country.

Univar distributes a variety of products in the Tunisian market but the new entity will have an early focus on the personal care sector in particular, before expanding into other markets in the future.

Attractive region​

"North Africa is an attractive region for many of our partners who are always looking for opportunities to expand into dynamic growth markets,"​ explains Powell.

"It is important that we are able to move with our customers and suppliers, helping them grow their businesses around the world by providing them with the high standard of service and expertise they are accustomed to, wherever they are."​

Univar's Tunisian business is headed by country manager, Eminn Chahed, who joined the company in 2010, having gained many years' experience working in the chemical and energy industries and is responsible for growing the local customer base and enlarging Univar's product portfolio in the region.