Almost every individual in India uses one or more home and personal care products and food & beverages from Hindustan Unilever Limited. HUL started its operations in 1888 under the name ‘Sunlight Soap.’ Today Hindustan Unilever is India’s most prominent FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods) brand.
The company has a vast product range with 50+ brands across various categories like life essentials, colour cosmetics, tea, coffee, ice creams, and more. Hindustan Unilever is a subsidiary of Unilever, one of the top suppliers in food & beverages, personal care, and home care segments in more than 190 countries.
Let’s dive into the strategies, milestones, and contributions that have cemented its position as a household name.
Below is a quick overview of the incorporation of HUL, its owners, market capitalisation, presence, and more.
| Incorporation Date | May 1933, under the name of Lever Brother India Limited |
| Hindustan Unilever Owner | Unilever PLC |
| Divisions | 3 – Home Care, Beauty & Personal Care, & Food & Beverages |
| Hindustan Unilever market cap | ₹5.843 Trillion (As of November 2024) |
| Turnover (FY 23-24) (In India) | ₹59.579 Crore |
| Hindustan Unilever headquarter | Mumbai |
1888: Sunlight Soap introduced in India
1895: Introduction of Lifebuoy Soap. Lever Brothers appoints agents in 4 cities – Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, and Karachi
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: On November, 27, Hindustan Vanaspati Manufacturing Company was registered
Acquisition of Sewri plant site
1932: The company started manufacturing Vanaspati at the Sewri plant site acquired in 1931
1933: The application to set up a soap factory next to the Sewri factory was made On October 17, 1933. Lever Brothers India Limited was incorporated
1934: HUL starts soap manufacturing at Sewri Factory in October North West Soap Company rented the Garden Reach Factory and expanded it to produce Lever brand products
1935: This year marks the launch of one of the biggest personal care brands in India with the incorporation of United Traders on May 11, 1935.
1937: India’s one of the first covenant managers – Mr. Prakash Tandon, joins HVM
1939: The Garden Reach Factory, rented in 1935, is now purchased. The company work towards building Dalda Vanaspati as a brand
1941: The company takes over agencies in Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, and Karachi
Moreover, the company also acquired its own sales force
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: Mr Prakash Tandon becomes the first Indian Director of the company
Vanaspati factories are bought in Shamnagar, Tiruchy, and Ghaziabad
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 the 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: Lever’s Baby Food, along with other food products launched, and Taj Mahal Tea is introduced
1967: HUL opens the gates of the Hindustan Unilever Research Center
1969: Rin Bar and Bru Coffee were launched. Production of Fine Chemical Units is started
1971: Clinic Shampoo is launched
1975: Close-up Toothpaste was launched
1977:Synthetic Detergents Plant was introduced in Jammu. Indian equity participation increased to 18.57%
1978: Indian shareholding sees a sudden jump to 34%Fair & Lovely Skin Care Cream was launched
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: HUL merges with the Tata Oil Mills Company (TOMCO), its biggest competitor, making it the largest in India. HUL forms Unilever Nepal Limited. Forms a 50:50 joint venture with US-based Kimberley-Clark Corporation
1995: Entered the branded staple business with Salt Recognised as the Super Star Trading House
1996: Merged with Lakme, India’s major cosmetics brand, to form Lakme Lever Ltd. in a 50:50 joint venture
1998: On January 1st, 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: The ‘Winning in many Indias’ operating framework has been launched throughout India. 3 new sales offices were launched in Indore, Bangalore, and Lucknow, taking the count to 7
2016: Sales of Brooke Bond, Lifebuoy, Wheel, Fair & Lovely, & Rin crossed ₹2000 crore while Surf Excel crossed ₹3000 crore
2020: HUL announced that it would be acquiring VWash, the leading brand in family hygiene
2022: For FY 2021-22, HUL booked a turnover of ₹50,000 crore. Unilever India Limited inaugurated a new home care factory and an automated distribution centre in Sumerpur, Uttar Pradesh (it is a zero-carbon factory and also the first gender-balanced factory by Unilever South Asia)
2023: Rohit Jawa appointed as the CEO and Managing Director (MD)
Below is the list of subsidiaries of Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) as of the financial year ending 31st March 2023.
The company operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) and focuses on the export of FMCG. Its dual objectives are to enhance the global footprint of popular brands such as Vaseline, Dove, Pears, BRU, Red Label, Lakmé, Horlicks, and Boost.
The company operates in the salon industry and also runs a manufacturing facility in Gandhidham. This unit handles job work for HUL, producing toilet soaps, bathing bars, and detergent bars.
The company, a fully owned subsidiary of Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL), was established to capitalise on growth opportunities in a rapidly evolving business landscape. In July 2022, the company inaugurated a new Home Care facility in Sumerpur, Uttar Pradesh.
Headquartered in Kathmandu, UNL operates in the production of various consumer goods, particularly in the sectors of soap, detergents, personal care, and hygiene products.
The Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) and continued to act jointly with Levindra Trust Limited as the Trustees of the Union Provident Fund, Hindlever Pension Fund, Hindustan Lever Management Staff Gratuity Fund, Hindlever Limited Superannuation Fund and Hindustan Lever Educational and Welfare Trust.
The Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) and continued to act jointly with Levers Associated Trust Limited as the Trustees of the Union Provident Fund, Hindlever Pension Fund.
The Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) and continues to act jointly with Levers Associated Trust Limited as the Trustees of the Hindlever Pension Fund, Hindustan Lever Gratuity Fund, Hindlever Limited Superannuation Fund and Hindustan Lever Educational and Welfare Trust.
Hindustan Unilever’s Home Care segment features Surf Excel for stain removal, Vim for effective dishwashing, and Comfort for fabric softening. In Beauty Care, Dove offers skincare products, Lux provides fragrant soaps, and Pond’s delivers trusted face creams. For Beverages, Bru is a popular coffee brand, Lipton offers a variety of teas, and Knorr provides convenient soups and ready-to-cook meals. These leading products highlight HUL’s strong presence across essential household categories.
Hindustan Unilever Ltd. (HUL), with its rich history and leadership across various sectors, continues to be a dominant force in the Indian market. The company’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and improving the quality of life for its consumers has driven its growth. With a strong portfolio of trusted brands and a focus on social responsibility, HUL is poised for continued success and expansion in the future.
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