Hindustan Unilever Ltd is a unique company that has touched most Indian’s lives in some way or the other. It is likely that you have used one of their products. Their products are available at every grocery store, which means they have built a massive distribution network throughout the nation.
Household products like Ponds cream, Horlicks, Bru coffee, and Lipton tea have become ingrained in our daily lives. The legacy of Hindustan Unilever Limited spans a rich narrative of tradition and innovation.
HUL was also the first Indian brand to foray into the cosmetic segment with some famous brands like Lux, Lifebuoy, and Lakmé cosmetics which form an integral part of the Indian grocery scene.
In this blog, let's look at HUL's journey over the years:
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Period
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Key Events
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1888 - 1908
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- Introduction of Sunlight soap (1888)
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1908 - 1928
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- Lifebuoy soap launched (1895)
- Lever Brothers appoints agents in major Indian cities (1895)
- Introduction of Pears soap (1902)
- Brooke Bond Red Label tea launched (1903)
- Lux flakes introduced (1905)
- Vim scouring powder launched (1913)
- Lever Brothers gains control of North West Soap Company (1925)
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1928 - 1948
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- Formation of Unilever from the merger of Lever Brothers and Margarine Unie (1930)
- Hindustan Vanaspati Manufacturing Company founded (1931)
- Lever Brothers India Limited incorporated (1933)
- Mr. Prakash Tandon joins as one of the first Indian covenanted managers (1937)
- Launch of Pond's Cold Cream (1947)
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1948 - 1968
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- Reorganisation for separate marketing operations (1944)
- Full Indian managerial control aimed with training initiatives (1942)
- Surf introduced (1959)
- Merger forming Hindustan Unilever with significant Indian equity (1956)
- Expansion of management to predominantly Indians (1955, 1961)
- Launch of Sunsilk shampoo, Signal toothpaste (1964, 1965)
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1968 - 1988
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- Mr. V. G. Rajadhyaksha becomes chairman (1968)
- Hindustan Unilever Research Centre opens (1967)
- Entry into branded staples with salt (1975, 1995)
- Fair & Lovely skin cream launched (1978)
- Government maintains Unilever's shareholding at 51% (1982)
- Agri-products unit starts in Hyderabad (1986)
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1988 - 2008
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- Launch of Lipton Taaza tea (1988)
- Mr. S. M. Datta becomes chairman (1990)
- Surf Ultra detergent launched (1991)
- Merger with Tata Oil Mills Company (1994)
- Entry into Ayurvedic health & beauty with Ayush (2002)
- Company formally renamed to Hindustan Unilever Limited (2007)
- Pureit water purifier launched (2008)
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2008 - 2023
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- Company celebrates 75 years (2008)
- Acquisition of Indulekha brand (2015)
- Merger with GSK Consumer Healthcare, incorporating Horlicks and Boost (2020)
- Unilever India Limited's zero-carbon factory inaugurated (2022)
- Appointment of Rohit Jawa as CEO and Managing Director (2023)
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HUL is a major entity within the Unilever network and has seen a number of ups and a few downs since its foundation. The company has grown through mergers, acquisitions, and diversification.
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The company has 50 diverse brands and a workforce of 21,000 employees. HUL is led by CEO and Managing Director Rohit Jawa, who steers the company's strategic direction.
Here is a table listing the subsidiaries that are part of Hindustan Unilever Limited:
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Subsidiary
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Description
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Unilever India Exports Limited
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Handles export operations
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Lakme Lever Private Limited
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Specialises in cosmetics and beauty products
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Unilever India Limited
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Core operations and management
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Unilever Nepal Limited
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Operates in the neighbouring market of Nepal
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Ponds Exports Limited
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Manages exports for Ponds products
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Jamnagar Properties Private Limited
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Real estate and properties
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Daverashola Estates Private Limited
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Tea estate management
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Levers Associated Trust Limited
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Financial trust operations
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Levindra Trust Limited
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Involved in trust management
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Hindlever Trust Limited
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Trust management within HUL
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Bhavishya Alliance Child Nutrition Initiatives
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Focuses on child nutrition programs​​​​​​​
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Factors Driving HUL’s Success
Building a single brand is easy but building an institution that has over 50 brands requires perseverance. Let's understand the factors responsible for HUL's success:
Adaptability: HUL has shown remarkable agility in understanding market shifts and evolving consumer tastes keeping up with cultural contexts.
Innovation: HUL’s investment in research and development allows them to launch innovative products at the right time. It launched detergents as a new category and built business in the segment through heavy marketing.
Marketing: HUL’s marketing strategies have forged a strong emotional bond with consumers. Their use of beloved Bollywood celebrities and memorable jingles has not only promoted their products but also ingrained their brand in India’s collective memory.
Distribution Network: HUL ensures that its products are readily available nationwide, and reach even the most isolated locations.
Social Responsibility: HUL’s engagement in initiatives like the "Swachh Bharat Abhiyan" (Clean India Mission) enhances its brand image and promotes community involvement, underscoring its commitment to social responsibility.
Conclusion
From its origins as a modest soap factory in Bombay, HUL has grown into one of India’s leading consumer goods companies with an extensive portfolio of renowned brands.
HUL is dedicated to social responsibility, sustainability, and community development which is why it has become a mammoth in the FMCG space in India.
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