Hindustan Unilever History

Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) is a powerhouse in the Indian FMCG (Fast-Moving Consumer Goods) sector, with a legacy that dates back to the early 20th century. Although popularly known as HUL since 1988, its roots trace much deeper, reflecting a rich Hindustan Unilever history. 

The company began its journey with the launch of the iconic ‘Sunlight Soap’ brand and has since expanded into a diverse portfolio of over 50 brands. These brands span categories such as home care, hygiene, essentials, tea, coffee, skin cleansing, color cosmetics, ice cream, and more, making HUL one of the fastest-growing FMCG companies in India.

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Hindustan Unilever History and Growth

HUL’s journey began in 1933 when Lever Brothers established its presence in India. Over the decades, the company evolved through mergers and acquisitions, including the historic merger with Hindustan Vanaspati Manufacturing Company in 1956, leading to the formation of Hindustan Lever Limited. It was renamed Hindustan Unilever Limited in 2007 to reflect its association with the global parent company, Unilever plc. This rich Hindustan Unilever history showcases its transformation from a single-product company into a diversified FMCG leader.

Table of Contents

1. Hindustan Unilever History and Growth
2. Product Range and Market Presence
3. Hindustan Unilever Dividend History and Share Price History
4. Leadership and Ownership
5. All you need to know about Hindustan Unilever (HUL)
6. Timeline: History of Hindustan Unilever
7. List of Hindustan Unilever Limited Subsidiaries

Product Range and Market Presence

HUL boasts a vast range of products under celebrated brands like Surf Excel, Lifebuoy, Dove, Lipton, Brooke Bond, and many more. Its presence spans across urban and rural India, impacting millions of households every day. The company’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and consumer-centric strategies has helped it maintain market leadership.

Hindustan Unilever Dividend History and Share Price History

For investors, HUL has consistently been a reliable choice, reflected in its stable and attractive Hindustan Unilever dividend history. The company has a strong track record of paying regular dividends, rewarding shareholders steadily over the years. Additionally, tracking the Hindustan Unilever ltd dividend history reveals the company’s commitment to shareholder value through incremental dividend increases. The Hindustan Unilever share price history also highlights a consistent upward trajectory, underlining strong market confidence and the company’s robust financial performance.

Leadership and Ownership

Currently, HUL is led by an experienced management team and CEO, steering the company toward sustainable growth and innovation. It operates as a subsidiary of the global conglomerate Unilever, which owns a significant stake in the company, bringing in international expertise and resources.

All you need to know about Hindustan Unilever (HUL)

Timeline: History of Hindustan Unilever

• 1888: Sunlight Soap was introduced in India.
• 1895:
  Lifebuoy Soap was introduced.
  Lever Brothers hired representatives in 4 cities - Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, and Karachi.
• 1902: Pears Soap was introduced in India.
• 1903: The tea brand Brooke Bond Red Label was introduced.
• 1905: Lux flakes were introduced.
• 1913: Vim scouring powder was introduced.
• 1914: Vinolia soap was introduced.
• 1918: Vanaspati was introduced by Dutch margarine producers, including Hartogs, Verschure Creameries, Jurgens, and Van den Berghs.
• 1922: Rinso soup powder was introduced.
• 1924: Gibbs dental preparations were introduced.
• 1925: Lever Brothers took over North West Soap Company.
• 1926: The Dalda trademark was registered by Hartogs.
• 1930: On 1^st January, Lever Brothers and Margarine unite to establish Unilever.
• 1931: 
   On 27^th November 27, Hindustan Vanaspati Manufacturing Company was registered.
  The Sewri plant site was acquired.
• 1932: Vanaspati production started at the Sewri plant.
•  1933: 
  On 17^th October, Lever Brothers India Ltd was incorporated.  
  An application was submitted to build a soap plant close to the Vanaspati factory in Sewri.
• 1934:
  October marks the start of soap production at the Sewri facility;
  The North West Soap Company rented the Garden Reach Factory in Kolkata and expanded it to produce Lever brand products.
• 1935: On 11^th May, United Traders, one of the biggest personal care brands was launched.
• 1937: India’s one of first covenant managers – Mr. Prakash Tandon, joins HVM.
• 1939: 
   Rented in 1935, Garden Reach Factory was purchased in 1939.
  HUL focuses on building up Dalda Vanaspati as a brand.
• 1943: HUL starts production of personal products in The Garden Reach Factory in India.
• 1947: Pond's Cold Cream was launched.
• 1956: HUL merged three businesses, with a 10% Indian ownership stake.
• 1957: HUL approved a special committee for research activity.
• 1958: The Special Committee approved a research unit that began its operations at the Mumbai Factory.
• 1959: Surf was launched.
• 1961: Mr. Prakash Tandon was named as the first Indian Chairman.
• 1962: The new Formal Exports Department starts.
• 1963: Head Office was inaugurated at Backbay Reclamation, Mumbai.
• 1964: Sunsilk Shampoo was introduced.
• 1965: 14% increase in Indian shareholding.
• 1966:
  Lever’s Baby Food was introduced along with other food products.
  Taj Mahal Tea was introduced.
• 1967: The Hindustan Unilever Research Centre was opened in Mumbai.
• 1968: Mr V. G. Rajadhyaksha took over as Chairman from Mr Prakash Tandon.
• 1969: 
   Rin Bar and Bru Coffee were launched.
  Production of Fine Chemical Units was started.
• 1971: Clinic shampoo was launched.
• 1973: Mr T. Thomas took over as Chairman from Mr V. G. Rajadhyaksha. 
• 1974: Liril was introduced.
• 1975: Close-up toothpaste was introduced.
• 1977: 
  Indian shareholding increased to 18.57% from 14%.
  Synthetic Detergents Plant was introduced in Jammu.
• 1978: 
  Indian shareholding increases to 34% from 18.57%.
  Fair & Lovely skin cream was introduced.
• 1980: Dr A. S. Ganguly takes over as Chairman from Mr T. Thomas.
• 1986: The agri-products unit starts operating in Hyderabad.
• 1988: Lipton Taaza tea was launched.
• 1990: Mr. S. M. Datta took over as Chairman from Dr. A. S. Ganguly.
• 1991: Surf Ultra detergent was launched.
• 1992: The Government of India recognized HUL as the Star Trading House in Exports.
• 1993: HUL ventured into the food business when Brooke Bond India acquired the Kissan Brand from the United Breweries Group.
• 1994: 
  Tata Oil Mills Company (TOMCO) merged with HUL making it the largest in the Indian market.
  HUL established Unilever Nepal Limited
  A 50:50 joint venture with US-based Kimberly-Clark Corporation was formed.
• 1995:
  HUL purchased the brand names and distribution assets of Milkfood 100% and Kwality. HUL presents walls.
  With salt, HUL entered the branded staples market as Super Star Trading House.
• 1996:
  HUL merged with Lakme in a 50:50 joint venture.
• 1997: 
  HUL opened a new Regional Innovation Center.
  It established an international research laboratory in Bangalore.
• 1998: On Jan 1^St, Pond's India Ltd., a group firm, combines with HUL.
• 2000:  
  Mr M. S. Banga becomes chairman and K. B. Dadiseth joins the Unilever Board.
  74% of shares were brought in Modern Food Industries Ltd.
• 2002: HUL joins the Ayurvedic health & beauty centre industry with the Ayush line and Ayush Treatment Centers.
• 2003: 
  Hindustan Lever Network was launched.
  The Amalgam Group was acquired.
• 2004: Pureit carries a Chennai marketing trail.
• 2005: On July 1, Harish Manwani succeeded Mr M. S. Banga as chairman.
• 2006: Food production of Brookefields was relocated to Mumbai.
• 2007: On May 18, at the 74^th Annual General Meeting, post shareholders’ approval, the company changed its name to Hindustan Unilever Ltd.
• 2008:
  On Oct 17, HUL completed its 75 years.
• Pureit was introduced throughout India.
• 2010: 
  HUL relocated to Andheri, Mumbai's ‘Unilever House,’ its new headquarters.
  Hindustan Unilever Foundation (HUF) was also established to support the nation's top socioeconomic development initiatives.
• 2013: 
  On Oct 27^th, HUL celebrated the 80th anniversary.
• ‘Prabhat’ (Dawn), an initiative associated with the Unilever Sustainable Living Plan (USLP) was introduced. It interacted with and supported the growth of regional communities close to the production facilities.
• In Oct, Sanjiv Mehta was appointed HUL's managing director.
• Unilever opened its first aerosol facility in Asia in Khamgaon.
• 2014: 
  The 'Winning in Many Indias’ operational frameworks took was launched all over India.
  In addition to the already established sales offices in Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Chennai, 3 new sales offices were launched in Lucknow, Indore, and Bangalore.
• 2015: HUL and Mosons Group and entered a contract to purchase Indulekha
• 2016: 
  Sales of ₹2000 crore were crossed by Brooke Bond, Lifebuoy, Wheel, Fair & Lovely & Rin.
  Sales of ₹3000 crore was crossed by Surf Excel. 
• 2017: On March 11, 2017, a brand-new, state-of-the-art manufacturing plant was launched at the Doom Dooma Industrial Estate in Assam.
• 2018: HUL executes a contract with Vijaykant Dairy and Food Products Ltd (VDFPL) and its group company to purchase the ice cream and frozen desserts business, including its leading brand Adityaa Milk and front-end distribution network across regions.
• 2020: HUL announced the purchase of VWash, the industry brand in the female intimate hygiene sector.
• 2022: 
  For FY 2021-22, HUL exceeded INR 50,000 Crore in revenue.
  In July, HUL opened a new Home Care facility, and an automated distribution centre.
• 2023: With effect from Jun 27^th, 2023, Rohit Jawa was named CEO and Managing Director of HUL.

List of Hindustan Unilever Limited Subsidiaries

Conclusion
HUL or Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL)’s long history began in the pre-Independence era making several remarkable decisions positively impacting the Indian market. While expanding its portfolio, HUL kept its beliefs and ideas strong which can be observed in its products and offerings. Alongside offering innovative and customer-centric products, HUL is also dedicated to sustainability, social responsibility, and community development.