hindustan unilever limited

Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) (BSE: HUL) is India's largest fast moving consumer goods company, touching the lives of two out of three Indians with over 20 distinct categories in home & personal care products and food & beverages. They endow the company with a scale of combined volumes of about 4 million tones and sales of over Rs. 13,000 crore. HUL is also one of the country's largest exporters; it has been recognized as a Golden Super Star Trading House by the Government of India.
HUL was formed in 1933 as Lever Brothers India Limited and came into being in 1956 as Hindustan Lever Limited through a merger of Lever Brothers, Hindustan Vanaspati Mfg. Co. Ltd. and United Traders Ltd. It is headquartered in Mumbai, India and has an employee strength of over 15,000 employees and contributes for indirect employment of over 52,000 people. The company was renamed in June 2007 to “Hindustan Unilever Limited”.
In 2007, Hindustan Unilever was rated as the most respected company in India for the past 25 years by Business world, one of India’s leading business magazines. The rating was based on a compilation of the magazines annual survey of India’s Most Reputed Companies over the past 25 years. HUL is the market leader in Indian consumer products with presence in over 20 consumer categories such as soaps, tea, detergents and shampoos amongst others with over 700 million Indian consumers using its products. It has over 35 brands. Sixteen of HUL’s brands featured in the ACNielsen Brand Equity list of 100 Most Trusted Brands Annual Survey (2008). According to Brand Equity, HUL has the largest number of brands in the Most Trusted Brands List. It’s a company that has consistently had the largest number of brands in the Top 50 and in the Top 10 (with 4 brands).
Hindustan Unilever's distribution covers over 1 million retails outlets across India directly and its products are available in over 6.3 million outlets in India, i.e., nearly 80% of the retail outlets in India. It has 39 factories in the country. Two out of three Indians use the company’s products and HUL products have the largest consumer reach being available in over 80 per cent of consumer homes across India.
The Anglo-Dutch company Unilever owns a majority stake (52%) in Hindustan Unilever Limited. HUL was one of the eight Indian companies to be featured on the Forbes list of World’s Most Reputed companies in 2007.
History
In the summer of 1888, visitors to the Kolkata harbour noticed crates full of Sunlight soap bars, embossed with the words "Made in England by Lever Brothers". With it, began an era of marketing branded Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG).
Soon after followed Lifebuoy soap in 1895 and other famous brands like Pears, Lux and Vim. Vanaspati ghee was launched in 1918 and the famous Dalda brand came to the market in 1937.
In 1931, Unilever set up its first Indian subsidiary, Hindustan Vanaspati Manufacturing Company, followed by Lever Brothers India Limited (1933) and United Traders Limited (1935). These three companies merged to form HUL in November 1956; HUL offered 10% of its equity to the Indian public, being the first among the foreign subsidiaries to do so. Unilever now holds 52.10% equity in the company. The rest of the shareholding is distributed among about 360,675 individual shareholders and financial institutions.
The erstwhile Brooke Bond's presence in India dates back to 1900. By 1903, the company had launched Red Label tea in the country. In 1912, Brooke Bond & Co. India Limited was formed. Brooke Bond joined the Unilever fold in 1984 through an international acquisition. The erstwhile Lipton's links with India were forged in 1898. Unilever acquired Lipton in 1972, and in 1977 Lipton Tea (India) Limited was incorporated.
Pond's (India) Limited had been present in India since 1947. It joined the Unilever fold through an international acquisition of Chesebrough Pond's USA in 1986.
Since the very early years, HUL has vigorously responded to the stimulus of economic growth. The growth process has been accompanied by judicious diversification, always in line with Indian opinions and aspirations.
The liberalisation of the Indian economy, started in 1991, clearly marked an inflexion in HUL's and the Group's growth curve. Removal of the regulatory framework allowed the company to explore every single product and opportunity segment, without any constraints on production capacity.
Simultaneously, deregulation permitted alliances, acquisitions and mergers. In one of the most visible and talked about events of India's corporate history, the erstwhile Tata Oil Mills Company (TOMCO) merged with HUL, effective from April 1, 1993. In 1995, HUL and yet another Tata company, Lakme Limited, formed a 50:50 joint venture, Lakme Unilever Limited, to market Lakme's market-leading cosmetics and other appropriate products of both the companies. Subsequently in 1998, Lakme Limited sold its brands to HUL and divested its 50% stake in the joint venture to the company.
HUL formed a 50:50 joint venture with the US-based Kimberly Clark Corporation in 1994, Kimberly-Clark Lever Ltd, which markets Huggies Diapers and Kotex Sanitary Pads. HUL has also set up a subsidiary in Nepal, Unilever Nepal Limited (UNL), and its factory represents the largest manufacturing investment in the Himalayan kingdom. The UNL factory manufactures HUL's products like Soaps, Detergents and Personal Products both for the domestic market and exports to India.
The 1990s also witnessed a string of crucial mergers, acquisitions and alliances on the Foods and Beverages front. In 1992, the erstwhile Brooke Bond acquired Kothari General Foods, with significant interests in Instant Coffee. In 1993, it acquired the Kissan business from the UB Group and the Dollops Icecream business from Cadbury India.
As a measure of backward integration, Tea Estates and Doom Dooma, two plantation companies of Unilever, were merged with Brooke Bond. Then in July 1993, Brooke Bond India and Lipton India merged to form Brooke Bond Lipton India Limited (BBLIL), enabling greater focus and ensuring synergy in the traditional Beverages business. 1994 witnessed BBLIL launching the Wall's range of Frozen Desserts. By the end of the year, the company entered into a strategic alliance with the Kwality Icecream Group families and in 1995 the Milkfood 100% Icecream marketing and distribution rights too were acquired.
Finally, BBLIL merged with HUL, with effect from January 1, 1996. The internal restructuring culminated in the merger of Pond's (India) Limited (PIL) with HUL in 1998. The two companies had significant overlaps in Personal Products, Speciality Chemicals and Exports businesses, besides a common distribution system since 1993 for Personal Products. The two also had a common management pool and a technology base. The amalgamation was done to ensure for the Group, benefits from scale economies both in domestic and export markets and enable it to fund investments required for aggressively building new categories.
In January 2000, in a historic step, the government decided to award 74 per cent equity in Modern Foods to HUL, thereby beginning the divestment of government equity in public sector undertakings (PSU) to private sector partners. HUL's entry into Bread is a strategic extension of the company's wheat business. In 2002, HUL acquired the government's remaining stake in Modern Foods.
In 2003, HUL acquired the Cooked Shrimp and Pasteurised Crabmeat business of the Amalgam Group of Companies, a leader in value added Marine Products exports.
Brands
Wheel Detergent ad in rural Nepal area.
The company has a distribution channel of 6.3 million outlets and owns 35 major Indian brands.[4] Some of its brands include Kwality Wall's ice cream, Knorr soups & meal makers, Lifebuoy, Lux, Breeze, Liril, Rexona, Hamam and Moti soaps, Pureit water purifier, Lipton tea, Brooke Bond tea, Bru coffee, Pepsodent and Close Up toothpaste and brushes, and Surf, Rin and Wheel laundry detergents, Kissan squashes and jams, Annapurna salt and atta, Pond's talcs and creams, Vaseline lotions, Fair and Lovely creams, Lakmé beauty products, Clinic Plus, Clinic All Clear, Sunsilk and Dove shampoos, Vim dishwash, Ala bleach, Domex disinfectant, Rexona, Modern Bread, and Axe deosprays.


                                                              Food products

The perfect colour, strength and aroma of 3 Roses creates that perfect tea moment where couples can spend time talking about the everyday issues that matter to them.
Whether it is playful banter, a little mischief or serious conversation, in the final reckoning, it’s these little moments and conversations that make relationships stronger.
Key facts
• 3 Roses is a 30 year old regional brand and is the market leader in Tamil Nadu.
• It is one of the largest FMCG brands in Tamil Nadu across categories.
• It has a strong presence in both in home and out of home segments.
• It has two functionally differentiated variants - 3 Roses Natural Care and 3 Roses Mind Sharp.
From our range
3 Roses Regular
3 Roses Natural Care
3 Roses Mind Sharp

Annapurna Atta is aimed at helping the homemaker provide wholesome, tasty nutrition to her family.
Launched nationally in 1998, Annapurna Atta is aimed at helping the homemaker provide wholesome, tasty nutrition to her family.
Annapurna Farm Fresh Whole Wheat Atta is made from premium quality wheat grains. These grains are ground using advanced technology so that the atta absorbs more water while kneading, makes rotis stay soft for a longer time and retains the nutrition of vitamins and minerals of the wheat grains.
Annapurna was awarded the prestigious ‘Awaaz Consumer Award” for the most preferred brand of atta for two successive years in 2006 and 2007
Key facts
• Awarded the prestigious “Awaaz Consumer Award” for the most preferred brand of atta for 2006 and 2007

Annapurna Atta
Anna Pack3

Red Label
The brew that bonds.
The taste of Red Label brings alive the little moments that bring us closer to people we love. It is the simple act of sharing a cup of Red Label that often adds magic to everyday moments, strengthening the relationships that matter most to us.
Life is lived in those moments, one sip at a time.
Key facts
• Red Label is a 105 year old brand and has tremendous equity and heritage in the Indian market.
• It is the second largest tea brand in the country.
• It has both leaf and dust variants, as well as a health and immunity variant -
Red Label Natural Care.
• It is now proven that regular consumption of 3 cups of Red Label Natural Care every day can enhance one's immunity and help one fall ill less often.
• Red Label holds the Guinness Record for the worlds largest tea party

From our range
o Red Label
o Red Label Natural Care

Taaza
The great refreshment of Taaza inspires women to have an identity beyond their homes and to refresh their lives.
Many young women in emerging India live life bound within their roles as a mother, wife and daughter in law. In the process, they lose their own identity. However, a changing India and examples of women achievers as portrayed by media, is leading to an awakening of her desire to carve out an identity for herself. She is however limited by her own inhibitions and a sense of inertia.
Taaza recognizes this latent need and also believes that every woman has innate talent. The fresh green leaves in Taaza give her amazing refreshment that inspires her to realize her talent. Taaza is her ally and confidant.
Key facts
• Taaza is a 20 year old brand with strong presence in North & West India.
• It is the 3rd largest tea brand in the country with a portfolio spanning in both leaf and dust segments.
• It has a strong presence in the out of home segment in South India.
From our range
Taaza
Taaza Thanda

Taj Mahal
A taste for the finer things in life.
Crafted from carefully selected tender leaves from India’s finest tea gardens, the lingering aroma of Taj Mahal always has an impact. When a cup of Taj is served, compliments follow.
Taj Mahal is not just a cup of tea, it is a sensory experience.
Key facts
• Taj Mahal was launched in 1966 by Brooke Bond.
• Ustad Zakir Hussain, the tabla maestro was the brands ambassador for almost two decades, exemplifying both discernment as well as the pursuit of excellence.
• Taj Mahal since 2007 has Saif Ali Khan as its ambassador, a relevant choce for today’s Indian
• Taj Mahal is the most premium brand of tea in the Indian market.
• It was the first brand to launch tea bags and is the only tea brand in India to be sold in vacuum sealed packs.
From our range
o Taj Mahal Tea Bags
o Taj Mahal Flavoured Tea Bags

Bru
Some moments in life are special and close to the heart. Bru makes these moments with loved ones even more magical…Its India’s largest coffee brand that offers a range of products in Instant coffee, Conventional coffee and premixes....Its rich aroma and unique blend makes every moment come alive…
In the year 1962 Brooke Bond India creates the branded roast and ground coffee segment launching Deluxe green label. 1968 gave birth to the first Instant coffee chicory mix under the brand name Bru…Ever since its inception, Bru has been on a constant endevour to bring better products and formats to the consumer with every passing year. With the launch of cappuccino in 2007 Bru was a pioneer to launch instant coffee premixes in India for the youth. Bru’s specially selected and freshly roasted coffee beans offer a great cup of aromatic coffee that makes those moments of genuine warmth and happiness even more special…
Key Facts
• Number 1 coffee brand in India
• Unilever’s only coffee brand
• Enjoys a rich heritage, came into existance in 1962 under the brand name Deluxe green label
• Consistently offering better and newer products to the consumer through improved packaging solutions and innovative product formats
• Enjoys a strong presence at various out of home locations

From our range
o Bru Roast and Ground- India’s original filter coffee
o Bru Instant now with even more aroma
o Bru Ice cappuccino. A cool frothy drink for the youth
o Bru hot cappuccino in 4 exciting flavours. Sip..lick..mmm

Kissan
Kissan acts as a catalyst, easing stressful moments at the dining table. With Kissan, good food is loved not shoved!
Kissan wants to be the brand which will help dissolve tension between mother and the family during informal good food moments. Kissan acts as a catalyst, easing stressful moments at the dining table. With Kissan, good food is loved not shoved!
Key facts
• Kissan is in its 62nd year of its existence in India.
• Category leaders in Jams with an All India Share of 65%.
• Category leaders in Jams with an All India Share of 65%.
From our range

o Kissan Jam
o Kissan Juice
o Kissan Tomato Ketchup
o Kissan Tomato Ketchup
o Kissan Jam Squeeze Green Apple
o Kissan Jam Squeeze Mango
o Kissan Jam Squeeze Pineapple
o Kissan Jam Squeeze Strawberry

Kissan Amaze Brainfood
Good nutrition is the key for developing children’s’ brains and bodies to their full potential. Kissan Amaze Brainfood helps moms contribute to their kid’s brighter future by helping their mental development.
Kissan Amaze Brainfood is a range of nutritious products specifically designed to provide 33% of key brain nutrients children need daily for mental development. Amaze fits in a healthy diet and has a nutritional composition in line with international recommended dietary intakes for balanced nutrition for school children.The “bad nutrients” like sugars, salt, trans fat and saturated fat are kept as low as possible and adequate quantities of all the key nutrients which support the development of the brain (like Iodine, Zinc and Omega 3 fatty Acids and B Vitamins), in particular are added. The products are also available in formats which would easily fit into the normal meal moments of a child and could replace the unhealthy snacks.
Key facts
• Specifically designed for the mental development of children
• Provides 33% of key brain nutrients.
• Available in Smart Mix & Brainy Bites.
• Available in the state of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh & Karnataka.
From our range
Smart Mix in Chocolate & Vanilla Flavors
Brainy Bars in Chocolate Flavor

Knorr
Knorr helps families make meal times special, nutritious, tasty and healthy.
It is not wrong to say that the category of soups was launched by Knorr in India. The Knorr range of soups is available in a number of tasty and exciting varieties. There is a flavour to literally suit every taste palate; the Classic range of soups with flavours like Thick Tomato, Mixed Vegetable and Chicken Delite, the Oriental range with flavours like Sweet Corn Vegetable, Sweet Corn Chicken and Hot n Sour and the Snacky range (pasta /noodles in soup) with innovative flavours like Masala Twisty Pasta soup and Thai Curry Noodle soup.
This year has also seen the addition of the Indian soup range with lip smacking flavours inspired by Indian cuisine; these include soups like Tomato Chatpata, Corn Mast Masala , Veg Hara Bhara, etc.
Whether it is giving the Indian consumer a choice of 17 delicious varieties of soups or helping her make restaurant like Chinese food at home Knorr has always been at the forefront in taking the lead and in partnering with the Indian housewife.
The Knorr portfolio has now expanded with yet another launch; the launch of the Indian Ready to Cook range. Knorr Indian Ready to Cook helps the consumer make her family's favourite dishes at home and helps her get restaurant like taste at home itself.
Knorr as a brand has always set out to empower homemakers and enable them to make healthy, wholesome and delicious food options. All Knorr products are healthy, completely preservative free and low on sodium and cholesterol content.
The brand has also played a key role in helping the Indian housewife in more ways than one- whether it is through the launch of books like Soups and More, through on ground events, soup demonstrations and sampling or through its latest venture – a website www.CookitUp.in.
www.CookitUp.in is a one stop shop for every single cooking need and a recipe site to discover and befriend for life! Whether it is authentic recipes for every occasion, a powerful search engine that helps you churn out any recipe need with ingredients within your reach or ideas for resourceful and tasteful use of leftovers in the fridge.
Key facts
• Knorr in India is generic to soups.
• Knorr is the largest soup brand in India and has a lion’s share of the soup market in India – 70%
• All Knorr products have no added preservatives and are a healthy choice option.
From our range
o Classic Thick Tomato Soup
o Sweet Corn Veg Soup
o Hot n Sour Veg soup
o Tomato Twisty Pasta Soup
o Tomato Chatpata Soup
o Chinese Manchurian
o Paneer Butter Masala
o Punjabi Chana Masala

Kwality Wall's
Kwality Wall’s, the brand with a big heart, offers a range of delightful frozen desserts that bring smiles to the faces of millions of Indians – kids, teens and adults. We do so with our very popular brands - Cornetto, Feast, Paddle Pop, Selection & our award winning parlour concept, Swirl’s.
In a world of stress, denial and restraint, providing moments of daily pleasure to consumers, through our delightfully delicious products, is our passion. We believe in spreading happiness and smiles through every cone, cup, stick and tub we sell. Our biggest satisfaction comes from the look of bliss and happiness of our consumers faces, as they devour our products.
Our passion is inspired by our love for simple ingredients like Milk, Fruit and Chocolate, which make our products the best “Pleasure Food” there is.
Mention ice cream, and most people in India think of Kwality Wall’s and the big heart. The brand with the big heart logo is behind many much-loved ice cream classics - from indulgent treats like Cornetto & Feast (for teens and young adults), to Moo & Paddle Pop (for kids), to family favourites like our Selection range of Red Tubs, Italian Gelato and Viennetta.
Key facts
• Unilever is the world's largest ice cream manufacturer with an annual turnover of more than €5 billion.
• Heartbrand products are sold in more than 40 countries worldwide
• Also sold as Algida in Italy & Turkey, Langnese in Germany, Kibon in Brazil, Streets in Australia and Ola in the Netherlands
• Kwality Wall’s turnover has doubled in the last 3 years. We strive to keep driving the business at growth rates significantly ahead of market, and become the number one frozen dessert/ Ice Cream player in India.
From our range
o Cornetto
o Feast
o Paddle Pop
o Selection

Lipton
Worlds #1 tea brand
Lipton Yellow Label is a premium, full-bodied tea, made out of the finest teas, perfect for the ‘healthy’ Indian .Lipton Yellow Label has a unique blend that has high levels of natural Theanine, which along with other goodness of tea can help you clear your mind.
The range also contains, Lipton Clear Green tea, which combines the goodness of antioxidants and purifying effect of water to help cleanse your body naturally.
Key facts
Lipton is the #1 tea brand in the world
o Lipton Yellow Label
o Lipton Clear Green Tea
o Lipton Darjeeling Tea