Almost every individual in India uses one or more home & personal care products and food & beverages from Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL), one of India’s most prominent FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods) brands. With 50+ brands across various categories like life essentials, colour cosmetics, skin cleansing, home and hygiene, tea, coffee, ice creams, and more, the company is now a part of the everyday lives of millions of consumers in India. However, only a few know that HUL is a subsidiary of Unilever, one of the top suppliers in food & beverages, personal care, and home care segments in more than 190 countries.
Apart from fulfilling consumer needs, the company believes in sustainability and has established several environmental goals to give back to nature.
HUL started its operations in 1888 under the name ‘Sunlight Soap.’ With this began the era of selling, packaging, and branding FMCG products while keeping customers satisfied. Read on to learn more about the entire journey of HUL and Hindustan Lever companies.
Below is a quick overview of the incorporation of HUL, its owners, market capitalization, presence, and more.
| Incorporation Date | May 1933, under the name of Lever Brother India Limited |
| Parent Company | Unilever |
| No. of Subsidiaries | 13 |
| Divisions | 3 – Home Care, Beauty & Personal Care, & Food & Beverages |
| Hindustan Unilever Net Worth (In India) | ₹ 6.17 Trillion (As of 13-May-23) |
| Turnover (FY 22-23) (In India) | ₹ 58K Crore |
With 90 years of legacy in India, HUL has become a home brand, with nine out of ten Indians using it. Let’s revisit the history of this famous company through the chronology of events as mentioned below.
| Year | Achievement |
| 1888 | Sunlight Soap introduced in India |
| 1895 |
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| 1902 | India witnessed the launch of Pears Soap |
| 1903 | The tea industry witnessed the landmark launch of Brooke Bond Red Label Tea |
| 1905 | Lux Flakes launched in India |
| 1913 | HUL launched the Vim Scouring Powder |
| 1914 | Vinolia Soap introduced |
| 1918 | Vanaspati was introduced by Dutch margarine manufacturers, including Van Den Berghs, Jurgens, Verschure Creameries, and Hartgos |
| 1922 | Introduction of Rinso Soap Powder |
| 1924 | Gibbs dental preparations were introduced |
| 1925 | North West Soap Company’s control was taken over by Lever Brothers |
| 1926 | Dalda Trademark was registered by Hartogs |
| 1930 | Lever Brothers and Margarine Unie were merged to form Unilever on 01-Jan |
| 1931 |
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| 1932 | The company started manufacturing Vanaspati at the Sewri plant site acquired in 1931 |
| 1933 |
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| 1934 |
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| 1935 | This year marks the launch of one of the biggest personal care brands in India with the incorporation of United Traders on 11-May |
| 1937 | India’s one of the first covenant managers – Mr. Prakash Tandon, joins HVM |
| 1939 |
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| 1941 |
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| 1943 | The company starts manufacturing personal care products in India at the Garden Reach Factory |
| 1947 | The well-known Pond’s Cold Cream was launched |
| 1951 |
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| 1956 | Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) was formed with the merger of 3 companies and had a 10% Indian equity participation |
| 1957 | Unilever’s Special Committee allows research activity by HUL |
| 1958 | The research unit approved by Special Committee starts its operations at the Mumbai Factory |
| 1959 | The detergent industry witnessed a turning milestone with the launch of Surf |
| 1962 | HUL starts a new export department, formally |
| 1963 | Head office is inaugurated at Backbay Reclamation, Mumbai |
| 1964 | The famous Sunsilk Shampoo has been launched |
| 1965 | The Indian shareholding increased to 14% |
| 1966 |
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| 1967 | HUL opens the gates of the Hindustan Unilever Research Center |
| 1969 |
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| 1971 | Clinic Shampoo is launched |
| 1975 | Close-up Toothpaste was launched |
| 1977 |
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| 1978 |
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| 1988 | Indians are introduced to Lipton Taaza Tea |
| 1992 | The Government of India recognised HUL as a Star Trading House in exports |
| 1993 | HUL entered the food business as Brooke Bond India acquired the Kissan brand from the United Breweries Group |
| 1994 |
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| 1995 |
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| 1996 | Merged with Lakme, India’s major cosmetics brand, to form Lakme Lever Ltd. in a 50:50 joint venture |
| 1998 | On 01-Jan, Pond’s India Limited merges with HUL |
| 2002 | HUL brings in Ayush Range products and starts Ayush Therapy Centers |
| 2007 | The company’s name was finally changed to Hindustan Unilever Limited post shareholders’ approval in the Annual General Meeting |
| 2008 | Pureit debuts in India as HUL marks its 75 years |
| 2010 | Hindustan Unilever Foundation (HUF) was set up to support socio-economic development |
| 2014 |
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| 2016 | Sales of Brooke Bond, Lifebuoy, Wheel, Fair & Lovely, & Rin crosses ₹2000 crore while Surf Excel crosses ₹3000 crore |
| 2020 | HUL announced that it would be acquiring VWash, the leading brand in family hygiene |
| 2022 |
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| 2023 | W.e.f from 27-June, Rohit Jawa has been appointed as the CEO and Managing Director (MD) |
HUL, one of India’s most well-known brands, has a long and glorious history. Starting with just a soap business, the company has seen many lines as well as vertical extensions and become India’s leading consumer products company. Not only this, but the company also understands and fulfills its responsibility towards society by involving in various socio-economic and sustainable practices. Want to invest in stocks with such marvelous history? Open a Demat account with Angel One and start investing.
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