Zanesville, Ohio., October 13, 2009 – Avon Products, Inc., today celebrated a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the company’s new, state-of-the-art distribution center that will handle 50% of U.S. distribution when fully operational. Avon Chairman & CEO Andrea Jung, and Ted Strickland, Governor of the State of Ohio, presided over the ceremony at East Point Business Park in Zanesville, Ohio.

During the ceremony, Governor Strickland said “Avon is a great corporate citizen, creating employment opportunities for some 500 Ohioans and economic empowerment for women all over the world. Avon is also an important partner in our efforts to make Ohio the nation’s leading logistics and distribution hub, which will create jobs and promote long-term economic growth. We are so proud the company can call Ohio home to its high-tech distribution center.”

The company said the facility is actively shipping orders within the U.S. and will be fully staffed and operational by mid-2010, at which time the distribution center will have capacity to pack and ship more than 50,000 boxes per day.

In line with Avon’s commitment to corporate responsibility, Avon Zanesville was designed with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Principles including collection and re-use of grey water; water efficient landscaping; energy efficient lighting and recycled materials in the furnishings and other building materials. Avon is awaiting the final certification assessment to determine what level has been achieved.

“Very proudly, this new distribution center is a role model of environmental excellence for the rest of our facilities around the world,” said Ms. Jung. “Avon Zanesville is very reflective of one of our company’s most important founding principles – to meet fully the obligations of corporate citizenship by contributing to the well-being of society and the environment in which it functions.”

Zanesville Mayor Howard Zwelling participated in the day’s events. He said “We are so happy to welcome Avon to Zanesville. We have watched this facility build from the ground up and it is great to see it in action.”

John Owen, Avon’s Senior Vice President of Global Supply Chain, who oversaw the creation of Avon’s new distribution footprint, said: “This facility really sets the blueprint for our supply chain operations around the world. From our state-of-the-art equipment that accurately picks and packs orders, to our right-size packaging, this is the Avon of the future. Zanesville is the ideal location for our new distribution center, and we are so grateful to the community for welcoming us.”

During the ceremony, Ms. Jung presented the following grants, on behalf of the Avon Foundation for Women, to local area organizations in support of Breast Cancer and Domestic Violence services.

• $50,000 to Genesis Healthcare Foundation of Zanesville, Ohio, for the implementation of an Avon Nurse Navigator to help breast cancer patients navigate the medical treatment process;
• $20,000 to Transitions, Inc. of Zanesville for operations support to continue the organization’s services for victims of domestic violence;
• $20,000 to the Center for New Beginnings of Newark, Ohio to support that organization’s shelter and services for victims of domestic violence;
• $20,000 to Haven on Hope, to support the Cambridge, Ohio organization’s 24/7 emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence and their children.

The Avon Foundation for Women is the largest corporate foundation to support women’s issues. Breast Cancer and domestic violence are the Avon Foundation for Women’s two key mission areas.

Avon, the company for women, is a leading global beauty company, with over $10 billion in annual revenue. As the world's largest direct seller, Avon markets to women in more than 100 countries through 5.8 million independent Avon Sales Representatives. Avon's product line includes beauty products, as well as fashion and home products, and features such well-recognized brand names as Avon Color, Anew, Skin-So-Soft, Advance Techniques, Avon Naturals, and Mark. Learn more about Avon and its products at www.avoncompany.com.