Gender Parity at L’Oréal: India's First Women-Led Warehouse

Women are taking on operational responsibilities at India's first fully women-operated warehouse facility, launched through a partnership between Mahindra Logistics Limited and L'Oréal India in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.

The development could signal a change in how logistics infrastructure supports both workforce inclusion and broader sustainability objectives within India's supply chain sector.

The facility positions gender diversity as a central component of operational strategy, with women managing end-to-end warehouse operations in an industry where their representation has historically been constrained.

The workforce has completed training programmes covering self-defence, Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) guidelines, fire safety, first aid and capability-building designed to prepare them for leadership positions within the logistics ecosystem.

Environmental goals drive infrastructure decisions

The warehouse serves as a distribution hub for central India, supporting product movement to markets including Jabalpur, Bhopal, Indore, Singrauli, Sagar, Ratlam, Bina, Narsinghpur, Chhindwara, Satna, Rewa, Shahdol, Betul, Harda, Damoh, Shivpuri, Neemuch and Khargone.

According to the companies, the facility could enable faster replenishment cycles and reduced transit times for L'Oréal's product portfolio across the region, which may contribute to lower emissions associated with distribution activities.

The facility handles L'Oréal's product lines through a consolidated fulfilment framework, supported by Mahindra Logistics' in-house warehouse management system. The platform integrates with L'Oréal's distribution requirements to deliver real-time visibility, inventory control and workflow optimisation across operations, potentially reducing resource consumption through improved efficiency.

"As India's supply chain expands and becomes more integrated, increasing women's participation in core operations broadens the talent pool essential to build stronger and more capable logistics networks," says Hemant Sikka, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at Mahindra Logistics Limited.

"Mahindra Logistics and L'Oréal India have come together to challenge long-standing norms by creating an environment designed to expand opportunities for women."

Hemant adds that the warehouse "directly supports L'Oréal India's ambition of inclusion and diversity across its operations and reflects a shared belief that inclusive teams drive stronger performance and innovation".

Inclusion within supply chain strategy

Arun Saravanakumar, Director of Supply Chain at L'Oréal India, adds: "Launching the first-ever 100% women operated warehouse, in partnership with Mahindra Logistics, is a landmark moment for us at L'Oréal India.

"It is a reflection of our commitment to gender parity at the workplace, providing women with equal opportunities and creating shared value in our communities."

The initiative forms part of wider diversity, equity and inclusion objectives within L'Oréal's supply chain operations. According to the company, its supply chain distributes more than six billion products annually, dispatching two orders every second across eight distinct distribution channels including hair and beauty salons, mass market retail, ecommerce and travel retail.

Emissions reduction targets 

L'Oréal's sustainability commitments include reducing greenhouse gas emissions linked to product transport by 50% per finished product by 2030, compared with 2016 levels.

The company has also pursued the elimination of single-use plastic in packaging materials across distribution centres, with facilities in Latin America, Europe, South Asia, Africa and the Middle East reaching this objective by the end of 2020.

The company continues to expand its Solidarity Sourcing programme, described as an inclusive purchasing initiative integrated across supply chain operations. These commitments could reflect broader industry trends towards aligning operational efficiency with environmental and social responsibility objectives, suggesting that workforce inclusion and emissions reduction may increasingly function as interconnected priorities within global logistics networks.

The Indore facility could demonstrate how infrastructure investments address multiple sustainability dimensions simultaneously through design choices that embed social equity within operationally efficient distribution frameworks.

Join L'Oréal at The Net Zero Summit

L'Oréal will be at the QEII Centre in London on 4–5 March 2026 for Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE: The Net Zero Summit, co-located with Sustainability LIVE: The Net Zero Summit, where Gemma Bell, Procurement Director at L'Oréal UKI, will be taking part in a panel discussion on sustainable supply chains. 

With sustainability now inseparable from supply chain excellence, panellists will discuss integration of ESG into procurement, emissions reduction, circularity and how to build supply chains fit for a low-carbon economy.

Gemma spearheads the indirect procurement strategy within a dynamic and demanding retail environment, consistently delivering 3% year-over-year savings across a US$500m indirect spend portfolio. 

As a member of the European Management Committee, she also contributes to the strategic vision and change management for approximately 150 FTEs, collaborating closely with C-suite executives and global procurement teams to execute synergistic sourcing strategies. 

Key accomplishments include modernising purchase-to-pay processes, notably a successful SAP Ariba implementation across more than 800 users and implementation of third party payment provider for non-strategic spend now adopted globally. 

“Crucially," she adds on LinkedIn, "I embedded sustainability and innovation into the team's DNA, aligning with L'Oréal's broader CSR agenda and reinforcing our commitment to responsible business practices".

Secure your tickets to hear from Gemma in London.

About The Net Zero Summit

Join us at the QEII Centre in London on 4–5 March 2026 for Sustainability LIVE: The Net Zero Summit, co-located with Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE: The Net Zero Summit, the essential meeting place for senior leaders shaping transformation across the UK and Europe.

The summit will address sustainable sourcing, supplier collaboration on net zero and innovation in responsible supply chains.

Attendees will gain practical insight from industry experts, hear real-world case studies and connect with peers and key decision-makers who are turning sustainability commitments into measurable outcomes.

Secure your tickets to attend now and save more than £200 with our Early Bird offer.​​​​​​​