Hindustan Unilever: Know the history of the British-owned brand in India

Produced by: Harshita Tyagi
Designed by: Mohsin Shaikh

One of India's top fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) businesses is Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL). Its corporate headquarters are in Mumbai, India, and it is a division of the major global consumer products company Unilever

HUL: One of India's top
FMCG companies

Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL), headqrautered in Mumbai, is controlled by British multinational consumer goods company Unilever

HUL's origins

Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) has a long history that dates back to India's pre-Independence era. The business started as a modest soap factory in Bombay and has since expanded to become one of India's top consumer products corporations

HUL's history with
pre-independent India

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". It marked the beginning of an era of marketing branded Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG). Soon after followed Lifebuoy in 1895 and other famous brands like Pears, Lux and Vim. Vanaspati was launched in 1918 and the famous Dalda brand came to the market in 1937

The beginning of
Unilever in India

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, and HUL offered 10% of its equity to the Indian public, being the first among the foreign subsidiaries to do so

Unilever sets up a
subsidiary in India

HUL foreign parent Unilever is a British multinational consumer goods company headquartered in London, England. Unilever products include food, condiments, bottled water, baby food, soft drink, ice cream, instant coffee, cleaning agents, energy drink, toothpaste, pet food, pharmaceutical and consumer healthcare products, tea, breakfast cereals, beauty products, and personal care

Unilever's business

HUL works through various channels, including contemporary trade, general trade, and e-commerce, and has a sizable distribution network throughout India. In addition, the business has a substantial presence in rural India, significantly boosting its earnings

HUL's vast business in India

Cosmetics manufacturer Lakmé Cosmetics is one of the subsidiaries of HUL. It was established in 1952 as a Tata Oil Mills subsidiary before being bought by HUL in 1996

Lakmé Cosmetics: An
HUL subsidiary

HUL also owns the well-known frozen desserts and ice cream brand Kwality Walls. Since its founding in 1956, the company has become one of India's top ice cream manufacturers. Kwality Wall sells various ice cream-related items, such as cones, cups, sticks, tubs, etc

Kwality Walls owned by HUL

Unilever was founded on September 2, 1929 by the merger of the British soap-maker Lever Brothers and the Dutch margarine producer Margarine Unie. It has a primary listing on the London Stock Exchange. Unilever has a secondary listing on Euronext Amsterdam and is a constituent of the AEX index

Who founded Unilever?

Hindustan Unilever share price fell 0.26% on Tuesday to Rs 2,450 on NSE. So far this year, HUL stock has fallen over 4%, but has increased 12% in the last one year. 

HUL share price

As of March 31, 2023, HUL's promoters hold a 61.90% stake in the company, of which, Unilever Plc holds 47.43%. Foreign Institutions hold 14.36%; retail and other investors hold a 12.92% stake. Other domestic institutions hold a 6.55% stake in the company while mutual funds hold a 4.27% stake, according to the shareholding pattern

HUL shareholding pattern