The Estée Lauder Companies (ELC) is celebrating the grand opening of its Global Technology Center in Bucharest, Romania. This is an important step for ELC to further improve and elevate the Company’s Information Technology function, strengthening its competitive edge through technology. The Bucharest office, together with offices in Long Island City, New York and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, embodies ELC’s global approach to technology management and innovation. The office is a demonstration of ELC’s recent investments in digital tech centers around the world, enhancing the diversity of its capabilities.
Since the formation of the Bucharest office in 2021, the Information Technology team has already hired more than 150 dynamic, qualified employees adding value across key business areas. The work in the Bucharest Global Technology Center supports the operations of the Company and its technology goals, both globally and regionally. The office provides digital solutions to enhance ELC’s high-touch consumer experiences and high-performance supply chain network, through their capabilities in artificial intelligence, cloud acceleration, intelligent automation, omnichannel, and more.
“The Bucharest Global Technology Center is accelerating The Estée Lauder Companies’ work to become the most advanced technology-powered beauty company in the world,” said Michael W. Smith, Chief Information Officer. “Digital is an integral part of the beauty industry today and we must continue to win in this area. The opening of this office enables ELC to more seamlessly deliver technology solutions to the business and drive greater value to our consumers. I’m excited to continue to grow our presence around the world, hire outstanding talent, and build the beauty experience of tomorrow.”
The new office, located centrally near Bucharest Old Town, features state-of-the-art technology and serves as a collaborative space designed to facilitate strategic thinking, team building, and innovation. The sustainable office building has received outstanding certification for its energy, water use, innovation, and more. This location is easily accessible and in a vibrant area of the city near major sites, including parks, museums, and more, providing an ideal work life for young talent.
ELC marked the grand opening of the office with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, hosted by Chief Financial Officer, Tracey T. Travis and Chief Information Officer, Michael W. Smith.
“Our investments in technology facilitate strong and sustainable long-term growth,” said Tracey T. Travis. “The opening of the new Bucharest office highlights ELC’s ongoing commitment to investing in the technological capabilities that empower our leadership in prestige beauty.”
“ELC is committed to acquiring top talent with competitive technology expertise in the region in areas including Architecture, Engineering & Development, Data & Analytics, Project Management, Enterprise Cybersecurity, and Product Management, which is critical to our success as a company globally,” said Adriana Wahl, Executive Director and Site Lead of the Bucharest Global Technology Center. “IT continues to be one of the most dynamic sectors of the Romanian economy, and we are eager to harness the talent in this region to provide superior tech-driven products and experiences for our consumers.”
Bucharest is the third Global Technology Center that ELC has opened since launching its Global Technology Center strategy, following Long Island City in 2018 and Kuala Lumpur in 2022. Bucharest was selected because of Romania’s position as a global leader in IT talent, ranking number one in Europe, and sixth in the world, in terms of the number of certified IT specialists.
Tracey Travis, Chief Financial Officer; Michael Smith, Chief Information Officer; George Kuan, Senior Vice President, Regions and Travel Retail Technology; and Adriana Wahl, Executive Director and Site Lead of the Bucharest Global Technology Center, at Ribbon Cutting Ceremony in Bucharest, Romania.
About The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.
The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. is one of the world’s leading manufacturers, marketers, and sellers of quality skin care, makeup, fragrance, and hair care products. The company’s products are sold in approximately 150 countries and territories under brand names including: Estée Lauder, Aramis, Clinique, Lab Series, Origins, M·A·C, La Mer, Bobbi Brown, Aveda, Jo Malone London, Bumble and bumble, Darphin Paris, TOM FORD BEAUTY, Smashbox, AERIN Beauty, Le Labo, Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle, GLAMGLOW, KILIAN PARIS, Too Faced, Dr.Jart+, and the DECIEM family of brands, including The Ordinary and NIOD.
Source: The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.