Mehmet Cekic, Plant Manager, Gillette (Procter & Gamble)   

1. Why are you involved as a Berlin-Partner?  

Gillette and Berlin have been closely connected for 100 years. For us, Berlin is far more than a manufacturing location; the city is part of our history and our identity. That is why we are committed not only to producing here but also to actively contributing to the further development of Berlin as a business and industrial hub.

Berlin Partner provides a strong network that brings together businesses, academia, policymakers, and other key stakeholders. Especially in times of change, this exchange and the opportunity to develop ideas and initiatives together are particularly valuable. Our commitment is therefore also an expression of our strong connection to the city. We want to give something back to Berlin and help shape its future.  

2. What is currently driving your company and what are you working on? 

The year 2026 marks a very special milestone for us: we are celebrating 100 years of blade manufacturing in Berlin. At the same time, we are firmly focused on the future.

Today, our Berlin facility is a center of excellence for premium blades and a key innovation hub within Gillette’s global manufacturing network. We are continuously advancing our production processes, particularly in the areas of digitalization and automation.

An important recent milestone has been the production of blades for the GilletteLabs BODY + INTIMATE, our new razor specifically designed for body grooming. As the new Plant Manager, my focus is on building upon a century of experience, precision, and technical expertise, while working together with our team to shape the next chapter of this site’s success.

3. What do you value about Berlin as a business location? 

For me, Berlin uniquely combines tradition, diversity, internationality, and a willingness to embrace change. These characteristics are also reflected in our manufacturing facility.

Around 550 employees from 28 nations produce premium blades and razor cartridges here for consumers in 70 countries worldwide. In fact, 50% of all Gillette premium blades worldwide are manufactured in Berlin. At the same time, many of our employees have worked at the site for decades, and in some cases multiple generations of the same family have been part of the workforce.

This combination of long-standing expertise, international diversity, and a continuous drive to innovate defines both our facility and the city of Berlin itself. After 100 years, we can confidently say that Berlin is more than just a location for Gillette. Berlin is our home.

4. What makes your company innovative in Berlin? 

Innovation and precision have always been part of Gillette’s DNA, and our Berlin facility is a clear example of that commitment.

Our production lines operate with a very high degree of automation. Every razor cartridge undergoes automated quality control, and more than 50 quality inspections are conducted throughout the manufacturing process.

In addition, the site operates its own automation laboratory and a dedicated 3D printing center of excellence, where models, prototypes, and tools are developed, and employees’ ideas are transformed into practical solutions.

With GilletteLabs, we have also integrated an entirely new platform technology into our Berlin operations, implementing new machinery and production solutions to support it. To me, this perfectly illustrates what defines our site: 100 years of experience provide a strong foundation for developing the next generation of innovations and technologies proudly “Made in Berlin.”