India’s leading consumer goods maker Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) is known for its portfolio of brands—Lipton tea, Lakme cosmetics, Sunsilk shampoo, and Surf detergent—that touch the lives of millions of Indians every single day. However, few know about Hindustan Unilever’s history and the fact that HUL is a subsidiary of Unilever Plc, which is a leading player in the food and drink, personal care, and home care segments across more than 190 countries. Let’s understand the backstory of this FMCG giant.
More about Hindustan Unilever Limited
In the course of its history, Hindustan Unilever has recorded much growth and transformation, thanks to its great leadership and continuous innovation. Rohit Jawa is HUL’s current CEO and managing director. The Mumbai-headquartered firm owns prominent household brands such as Lifebuoy, Fair & Lovely, Ponds, Dove, Vaseline, Sunsilk, and Knorr brand of soups.
History of Hindustan Unilever Limited
In 1933, Lever Brothers India Limited was started by British businessman William Hesketh Lever and his brother James Lever, the Hindustan Unilever founder. Later, the company changed its name to Hindustan Lever Limited (HLL). As early as 1956, HLL brought brands such as Lux and Lifebuoy to India. It was renamed Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) in 2007 in line with the global brand of its parent business.
Hindustan Unilever’s history shows how strong and flexible the company is. It has been able to thrive through decades of market changes and emerge as a shining star in the consumer goods industry. HUL has shown steady growth across market cycles. Also, HUL’s past dividends show how committed the company is to its Hindustan Unilever shareholders.
Timeline of Hindustan Unilever Limited
Hindustan Unilever’s history and timeline show how it has changed from Lever Brothers India Limited to what it is now HUL, marking several milestones.
- 1931: Unilever established its first Indian subsidiary, Hindustan Vanaspati Manufacturing Company, followed by Lever Brothers India Limited (1933), and United Traders Limited (1935).
- 1933: Lever Brothers India Limited, established on October 17, make plans to build a soap factory near the Vanaspati factory in Sewri.
- 1934: The Sewri plant started making soap, and the North West Soap Company’s Garden Reach factory in Kolkata was leased and expanded for Lever brands.
- 1956: Hindustan Lever Limited (HLL) was created with the merger of three Indian companies.
- 1993: HLL is the first fast-moving consumer goods company in India to make Rs. 1,000 crore in earnings.
- 2007: Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) changed its name to match the global brand of its parent business, Unilever.
- 2014: The nation-wide “Winning in Many Indias” working strategy goes live, focusing on regional variety.
- 2020: HUL’s offerings have grown since its merger with GSK Consumer Healthcare.
- 2022: HUL clocks more than Rs. 50,000 crore in sales.
- 2023: Rohit Jawa becomes the Hindustan Unilever CEO and Managing Director, steering the company in a new direction.
Hindustan Unilever Limited has been at the top of India’s consumer goods business for more than a hundred years by coming up with new ideas, growing, and adapting. Its products have made people’s lives better.
Subsidiaries of Hindustan Unilever Limited
HUL holds considerable clout in the Indian market, and it’s not just through its brands. HUL’s subsidiary companies help expand its reach, focusing on specific groups ensuring its presence across several customer groups. Some of its prominent subsidiaries are listed below.
- Kwality Wall’s
- Lakme Lever Private Limited
- Unilever India Exports Limited
- Pond’s Exports Limited
Hindustan Unilever Limited subsidiaries: An overview
We will discuss some of HUL’s subsidiaries in detail below.
Lakme Cosmetics
Lakme Cosmetics, founded in 1952, is a leading Indian cosmetics brand known for its Lakme range of beauty products.
Kwality Wall’s
Kwality Walls Frozen Desserts and Ice Cream is a Hindustan Unilever subsidiary. Established in 1956, it has grown to become one of India’s best ice cream makers. Kwality Wall sells many things related to ice cream, like cones, cups, sticks, tubs, and more.
Zywie Ventures Private Limited
Hindustan Unilever acquired a 51% stake in Zywie Ventures in January 2023. With its base in India, Zywie Ventures Private Limited is a privately owned company that offers cutting-edge medical technology goods and services. The company is known for making gear and software for the healthcare field that can help doctors and nurses with patient health data, online tracking, and other parts of healthcare delivery.
Lakme Lever Private Limited
Lakme Lever Private Limited, which is a Hindustan Unilever India company, established in 2008, is one of the best companies in India for makeup and personal care. The company is famous for Lakme, which is its prominent brand and sells a range of beauty and skincare products. Indian women love Lakme for its high-quality beauty products.
Unilever Nepal
Unilever Nepal Limited (UNL), a subsidiary of Hindustan Unilever, makes, markets, and sells cleansers, toilet soaps, personal care HUL products, and laundry soaps in Nepal. It also makes a range of goods for the personal care, home care, and food and drink businesses.
Unilever India Exports Limited
Unilever India Exports Limited is a subsidiary of Hindustan Unilever Limited. The business is located in India and exports Unilever goods from India to foreign lcoations. Products from Unilever India Exports Ltd span several segments, including food and drinks, personal care, and home care.
Jamnagar Properties Private Limited
Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) has a real estate company called Jamnagar Properties Private Limited. The company, which is based in Gujarat, India, manages the real estate business for HUL. Throughout Hindustan Unilever’s history, this has meant overseeing infrastructure and making sure that HUL’s real estate assets are used effectively. Through its essential real estate management services, Jamnagar Properties makes a big difference in how well and efficiently HUL’s growing operations in India run.
Pond’s Exports Limited
Pond’s Exports Ltd, a subsidiary of Hindustan Unilever Ltd, manufactures leather products. In December 2016, Pond’s sold some movable assets of its leather business to Hindustan Foods Ltd.
Daverashola Estates Pvt. Ltd
The Hindustan Unilever unit is engaged in growing tea and is part of HUL’s beverage business.
Levindra Trust Limited
Levindra Trust Ltd works to promote social duty and sustainability in everything it does, primarily by helping local projects and groups. Founded in 1946, the unit works in the area of financial intermediation.
Conclusion
Hindustan Unilever’s history is fascinating. The company began life as a soap business, but has emerged as India’s largest consumer goods company by adding many product lines across product segments.
