Despite the global financial crisis, Amway Philippines sees a robust 20 percent growth this year with sales getting a big boost from its organic agricultural fertilizer products.

Amway Philippines country manager Ador Bonquin told reporters that the company’s growth is supported by the expansion of the Amway Distributor Center (ADC).

Amway just opened its Mandaluyong City ADC even as it plans to establish four more ADCs in addition to its current 8.

Bonquin said that Amway plans to put up additional ADCs in Binondo, Panay area and Ilocos in two to three years. Aside from its Metro Manila ADCs, the company has existing centers in Davao, Cebu, Cagayan De Oro, Tuguegarao, and Marbel.

“We have to expand to cater to the needs of our over 40,000 independent business owners (IBOs),” Bonquin said.

Bonquin said they have been enjoying double digit growth in sales in the past five years.

“Our 2008 sales increased by 30 percent from 2007 figures. As of today, our sales are up by 20 percent compared to last year,” Bonquin said.

Globally, Amway expects sales to reach $8.3 billion this year.

Amway, the world’s leading direct selling company, offers four product divisions: Nutritionals and food supplement (Nutrilite), beauty and personal care (Artistry), home care (LOC), and all-organic agricultural (Nutriplant and Nutriplus).

Nutrilite accounts for 50 percent of its total sales followed by Artistry.

The agriculture products now account for 18 percent from only 2 to 3 percent when the line was launched in 2000.

Notably, the all-organic fertilizer products are gaining popularity that Bonquin expects this division to account for 25 percent of its total business by next year from the current 18 percent.

According to Bonquin, their fertilizers are organic-based products that work well with any agricultural plant especially rice, corn, mangoes and even ornamental plants.

Bonquin said that among Asian countries, Amway’s agricultural products are only distributed in Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines.