Discover ANEW: Day 2 – A Visit to Avon R&D Center, Shanghai
One of the main event while on the Discover ANEW Avon Trip is to visit Avon R&D Center in Shanghai. So on the 2nd day in Shanghai, we were taken to the center on a tour bus. The visit was my first one to R&D lab or center and I was excited to see what it looks like.
Located in Jinqiao, Shanghai the 40,000 square Avon building houses scientists in the areas of product development, safety and quality testing, microbiology, chemical engineering and consumer research.
After putting on our lab jackets, Dr, Zhi Lu, the Senior Manager, Regional R&D, APAC Avon, told us a history behind little perfumes showcased in the guest area at the reception lobby.
Originally, Avon founder David H. McConnell did not intend to create a beauty company. He was actually a book salesman and he founded Avon in 1886 after realizing his female customers were far more interested in the free perfume samples he offered than in his books. The first perfumes he created was (see above picture) the Little Dot perfume Set, five single-note fragrances – Lily of the Valley, Violet, Heliotrope, White Rose and Hyacinth.
This Avon building achieved LEED Platinum 2011 certification; a Gold standard for commercial interiors under the U.S. Green Building Council‘s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system. The green features include:
- High-efficiency water fixtures, which will reduce water consumption by 44%
- Energy-efficient lighting systems
- Waste recycling
- An interior fit-out containing 31% recycled material
- 87% of office equipment and appliances, which can be found on the internet, are Energy Star rated to reduce energy usage.
As for the lighting, Avon uses motion sensors in private offices and meeting rooms shut off lights. To maximize the use of natural daylight, work-station dividers are low, permitting light to penetrate deep into the floor plate. However, exception is given to the Color Lab as lighting is very crucial in developing colors correctly.
We were taken on a tour to all labs in the 6-storey building. According to Dr Zi Lu, researchers at the Shanghai R&D center work closely with Avon’s regional brand marketing center to allow for the development of more specialized products for the Asian markets including the Malaysia market. It is focussing on developing beauty products including skincare, personal care, color and haircare.
One of the lab on the 1st floor. Final tests are done in here before they send products for manufacturing.
Color labs on the 3rd Floor is one of my favourite labs.
Colors are coded by numbers.
Here is one researcher working in the Color Lab. He tested the colors on himself.
I met Reese Witherspoon in the Color Lab but she was looking at the mascara all the time.
Haircare Lab.
Perfume Lab.
Skincare Lab.
A place where they monitor facial progress during the usage of skincare products.
Overall, the visit was very satisfying. The explanation by researchers has made it more easy for me to understand the whole process from A to Z and how the products are being tested and being ensured that they are safe for consumers. It is also great to learn that apart from taking care the need for women, Avon is helping to save the environment by incorporating green features on their building.
Thank you Avon for giving me this opportunity to visit Avon R&D Center, Shanghai.
Here is a photo of the Malaysian group:
Seated from left: yours truly, Mei Sin from China Press, Siti Fatimah Hassan from harian Metro, Soo Wincci, Miss World Malaysia. Standing from left: Aspalin Haji Sirat, Head of Commercial Marketing, Avon Malaysia, Dr. Xiaochun Luo, Avon’s Global Vice President of R&D and Chief Scientific Officer and Elaine Aisyah Abdullah, PR Manager, Avon Malaysia.
50 Comments
faizfakhirin
comel gak researchers product yea..lagi comel dr product dkeluarkan..[researcher sbelah kanan]
emila
Yang berdiri ke duduk? Dua-dua comel.
Th
So cute man also test lipstick colour
Th
So nice of you sharing the detail of Avon there
Th
I like the colour too let’s play with it
Th
About perfume I just throw out some bottles that finished
Th
If they like you play the color number mix sure like to see what turn out
Cik Amiera
wohaaa, very big building.
is it as same as avon malaysia?
samdaddycool
I really like the fact of “Avon building achieved LEED Platinum 2011 certification; a Gold standard for commercial interiors” and the rest of the story .. Avon is really amazing
emila
Yes, the company came a long way. Imagine the original intention of the founder was to sell books.
emila
NO, it’s not the same. Much more bigger.
emila
Hehehe we can only watch they do work.
emila
Don’t throw, you can recyle. Make your own perfume, TH. Buy some aromatherapy oils and mix and keep them in the bottles.
emila
Thanks TH. Sharing my experience of exciting trip to the R&D facility.
Fazreen
I wish I can visit Monavie main HQ in the future.
emila
Di mana tu, Een?
Fazreen
utah USA
emila
Wah best! I hope you will visit the place someday.
Th
Mix aroma oil with what? Finished perfume so throw already the bottle
emila
You can search for perfume recipes online.
mazny
Ooh, so Avon started with perfume!
mazny
Wow… must be hundreds of colours on the shelves.
mazny
Surprise! The researcher of women’s lipstick IS a guy! Whooaa… .
mazny
Emila Yusof tu pun comel juga!
mazny
Awet muda pula… ahaks! 😀
mazny
I have a question – why do we test lipstick colour on that part of our body? – Lengan!
mazny
Of all the body parts… arms? What is the significance?
mazny
Obviously our body parts have different colour tone, kan?
mazny
Why not try it on the face?
mazny
Of course that male researcher is not going to wear the lipstick, LOL!
mazny
Hmm, tapi tak tahulah di buat ujian tu untuk menentukan kesesuaian warna pada kulit atau alergi, kan?
mazny
Logiknya, perlulah diuji pada kawasan yang dekat dengan warna bibir – pipi ke, kan?
mazny
Kak Emi pakai krim Avon yang mana?
mazny
Mesti ANEW tu, ya?
mazny
Kak Emi tak berpeluang buat perfume sendiri?
mazny
Atau cipta kaler lipstick baru! LOL
mazny
There are places in France where they allow you to do that, kan?
mazny
Where you could choose some basic ingredients and let them mix it for you.
mazny
Which reminds me of my mom, dia kata ada satu lipstick yang boleh sesuai untuk semua orang!
mazny
Kalau tak silap, lipstick tu ikut warna kulit!
mazny
So, kulit warna apa pun, tetap sesuai. Cantik jelita… .
mazny
Zaman I sekolah asrama dulu, lagi kelakar.
mazny
My seniors (yang perempuanlah) semuanya nak bibir yang merah bak delima merekah, konon.
mazny
Nak tahu apa dibuatnya? Letak ubat gigi!
mazny
Tapi memang betul, kak. Lepas letak ubat gigi, esok pagi bangun dan basuh. Wah, bibir merah!
mazny
Tapi, tak ada kerjalah pula kan?! Setiap malam nak letak ubat gigi! Membazir saja.
mazny
Silap hari bulan, bibir kena gigit lipas yang nak makan ubat gigi tu. Terus bengkak! Hahaha 😀
Lya
Hehe
Lya
Woman loves make up.. Rite?
imaisha
this kind of field trip is what I love best.. bkn sesiapa je yg dpt visit R&D center ni kan.. lagipun, it is related to what I’ve been learning in uni.. I wish I can be there.. >.<