Introduction to HUL

With nine out of ten Indian households using our products, we

believe we have the ability to make a difference through our brands
and bring about a social change.

Brands around the world

We make some of the best-loved brands in the world like Bru, Dove, Kwality
Walls, Pureit and Surf Excel to name just a few. We're one of the biggest FMCG
company in the world

VIEW OUR BRANDS

Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) is India's largest Fast Moving Consumer Goods
Company with a heritage of over 80 years in India and touches the lives of two
out of three Indians.
HUL works to create a better future every day and helps people feel good, look
good and get more out of life with brands and services that are good for them
and good for others.
With over 35 brands spanning 20 distinct categories such as soaps, detergents,
shampoos, skin care, toothpastes, deodorants, cosmetics, tea, coffee, packaged
foods, ice cream, and water purifiers, the Company is a part of the everyday life
of millions of consumers across India. Its portfolio includes leading household
brands such as Lux, Lifebuoy, Surf Excel, Rin, Wheel, Fair & Lovely, Ponds,
Vaseline, Lakm, Dove, Clinic Plus, Sunsilk, Pepsodent, Closeup, Axe, Brooke
Bond, Bru, Knorr, Kissan, Kwality Walls and Pureit.

The Company has over 16,000 employees and has an annual turnover of INR
30,170 crores (financial year 2014 15). HUL is a subsidiary of Unilever, one of
the worlds leading suppliers of fast moving consumer goods with strong local
roots in more than 100 countries across the globe with annual sales of 48.4
billion in 2014. Unilever has 67.25% shareholding in HUL.

Our vision
Unilever is a unique company, with a proud history and a bright
future. We have ambitious plans for sustainable growth and an
intense sense of social purpose.

A clear direction for us

Our purpose is to make sustainable living commonplace. We work to create a
better future every day, with brands and services that help people feel good,
look good, and get more out of life.
In 2009, we launched The Compass our strategy for sustainable growth. It sets
out our clear and compelling vision to double the size of the business, while
reducing our environmental footprint and increasing our positive social impact
and gives life to our determination to build a sustainable business for the long
term. This is captured in the Unilever Sustainable Living Plan.
By combining our multinational expertise with our deep roots in diverse local
cultures, were continuing to provide a range of products to suit a wealth of
consumers. Were also strengthening our strong relationships in the emerging
markets we believe will be significant for our future growth.
And by leveraging our global reach and inspiring people to take small, everyday
actions, we believe we can help make a big difference to the world.
"We cannot close our eyes to the challenges that the world faces. Business must
make an explicit and positive contribution to addressing them. Im convinced we
can create a more equitable and sustainable world for all of us by doing so,
says Unilever CEO Paul Polman.
But this means that business has to change. The Unilever Sustainable Plan is a
blueprint for sustainable growth. And in 2014 we are strengthening our Plan with
new commitments to drive further transformational change.

Our Priorities and Principles

Unilever is committed to supporting sustainability and providing our consumers
around the world with the products they need to look good, feel good and get
more out of life.
Five key priorities provide the foundation for our brands campaigns. Read some
examples of how different brands are upholding these principles.

A better future for children

Our oral care brands Signal and Close-Up encourage children to brush
their teeth day and night for optimal dental health. We also partner the FDI
World Dental Federation, supporting oral health programmes around the world
Brands such as Omo and Persil have helped parents believe the
unconventional philosophy that Dirt is Good. Children learn through play, and
mud spatters and grass stains can easily be removed with effective laundry
products
Unilever also partners the World Food Programme and launched the
Together for Child Vitality initiative to bring our expertise in nutrition to children
in some of the worlds poorest countries.

A healthier future

Our Flora/Becel margarine brands have been scientifically proven to help

reduce cholesterol levels
Vaseline has launched the Vaseline Skin Care Foundation, providing
research into skin conditions and support for people affected by them
Lifebuoy soap has long had a presence in developing markets around the
world, and its campaign to promote handwashing with soap was celebrated by
200 million people across 53 countries in 2013.

A more confident future

Doves Campaign for Real Beauty uses real women instead of models in
its advertising campaigns. The brand has also launched the Dove Self Esteem
Fund which educates and inspires millions of young women
Our Sunsilk hair care brand has partnered some of the worlds leading hair
specialists to co-create formulas tailored to treat conditions such as hair-fall,
frizz, limp locks and uncontrollable curls

Close-Up toothpaste provides an affordable oral care solution for

consumers in developing markets, allowing them to take care of their dental
health and closer with confidence.

A better future for the planet

Were aiming to grow our business while reducing our environmental

footprint and working across the supply chain for every brand to do so
Our Laundry brands, including Surf, Omo, Persil and Comfort, have
launched the Cleaner Planet Plan together, encouraging consumers to change
their laundry habits to reduce water and energy consumption
Our Lipton tea brand backs sustainable forest management projects in
Africa

A better future for farming and farmers

Many of our brands contain ethically and sustainably sourced ingredients

that are independently certified
Among these are Lipton tea, which is accredited by the Rainforest
Alliance, and Ben & Jerrys ice cream, which includes Fairtrade vanilla and
almonds in various flavours
Around half our raw materials come from agriculture and forestry, so
were working towards making our key crops 100% sustainable.

Purpose & principles

Our Corporate Purpose states that to succeed requires "the highest
standards of corporate behaviour towards everyone we work with,
the communities we touch, and the environment on which we have
an impact."

Always working with integrity

Related links

Business Partner Code

Corporate Governance
Our principles
Our purpose

Download

Unilever's Code of Business PrinciplesPDF | 48KB

Conducting our operations with integrity and with respect for the many people,
organisations and environments our business touches has always been at the
heart of our corporate responsibility.

Positive impact
We aim to make a positive impact in many ways: through our brands, our
commercial operations and relationships, through voluntary contributions, and
through the various other ways in which we engage with society.

Continuous commitment
We're also committed to continuously improving the way we manage our
environmental impacts and are working towards our longer-term goal of
developing a sustainable business.

Setting out our aspirations

Our Corporate Purpose sets out our aspirations in running our business. It's
underpinned by our Code of Business Principles which describes the operational
standards that everyone at Unilever follows, wherever they are in the world. The
Code also supports our approach to governance and corporate responsibility.

Working with others

We want to work with suppliers who have values similar to our own and work to
the same standards we do. Our Supplier Code, aligned to our own Code of
Business Principles, comprises eleven principles covering business integrity and
responsibilities relating to employees, consumers and the environment.

Our principles
Standard of Conduct

We conduct our operations with honesty, integrity and openness, and with
respect for the human rights and interests of our employees. We shall similarly
respect the legitimate interests of those with whom we have relationships.
Obeying the law
Unilever companies and employees are required to comply with the laws and
regulations of the countries in which we operate.
Employees
Unilever is committed to a working environment that promotes diversity and
equal opportunity and where there is mutual trust, respect for human rights and
no discrimination.
We will recruit, employ and promote employees on the sole basis of the
qualifications and abilities needed for the work to be performed.
We are committed to safe and healthy working conditions for all employees.
We will provide employees with a total remuneration package that meets or
exceeds the legal minimum standards or appropriate prevailing industry
standards.
We will not use any form of forced, compulsory, trafficked or child labour.
We are committed to working with employees to develop and enhance each
individual's skills and capabilities.
We respect the dignity of the individual and support the right of employees to
freedom of association and collective bargaining.
We will maintain good communications with employees through company based
information and consultation procedures.
We will ensure transparent, fair and confidential procedures for employees to
raise concerns.
Consumers

Unilever is committed to providing branded products and services which

consistently offer value in terms of price and quality, and which are safe for their
intended use. Products and services will be accurately and properly labelled,
advertised and communicated.
Shareholders
Unilever will conduct its operations in accordance with internationally accepted
principles of good corporate governance.
We will provide timely, regular and reliable information on our activities,
structure, financial situation and performance to all shareholders.
Business Partner
Unilever is committed to establishing mutually beneficial relations with our
suppliers, customers and business partners.
In our business dealings we expect our partners to adhere to business principles
consistent with our own.
Community Involvement
Unilever strives to be a trusted corporate citizen and, as an integral part of
society, to fulfil our responsibilities to the societies and communities in which we
operate.
Public Activities
Unilever companies are encouraged to promote and defend their legitimate
business interests.
Unilever will co-operate with governments and other organisations, both directly
and through bodies such as trade associations, in the development of proposed
legislation and other regulations which may affect legitimate business interests.
Unilever neither supports political parties nor contributes to the funds of groups
whose activities are calculated to promote party interests.

The Environment
Unilever is committed to making continuous improvements in the management
of our environmental impact and to the longer-term goal of developing a
sustainable business.
Unilever will work in partnership with others to promote environmental care,
increase understanding of environmental issues and disseminate good practice.
Innovation
In our scientific innovation to meet consumer needs we will respect the concerns
of our consumers and of society. We will work on the basis of sound science,
applying rigorous standards of product safety.
Competition
Unilever believes in vigorous yet fair competition and supports the development
of appropriate competition laws. Unilever companies and employees will
conduct their operations in accordance with the principles of fair competition
and all applicable regulations.
Business Integrity
Unilever does not give or receive, whether directly or indirectly, bribes or other
improper advantages for business or financial gain. No employee may offer, give
or receive any gift or payment which is, or may be construed as being, a bribe.
Any demand for, or offer of, a bribe must be rejected immediately and reported
to management.
Unilever accounting records and supporting documents must accurately
describe and reflect the nature of the underlying transactions. No undisclosed or
unrecorded account, fund or asset will be established or maintained.
Conflicts of Interest
All Unilever employees are expected to avoid personal activities and financial
interests which could conflict with their responsibilities to the company.

Unilever employees must not seek gain for themselves or others through misuse
of their positions.
Compliance - Monitoring - Reporting
Compliance with these principles is an essential element in our business
success. The Unilever Board is responsible for ensuring these principles are
applied throughout Unilever.
The Chief Executive Officer is responsible for implementing these principles and
is supported in this by the Global Code and Policy Committee, which is chaired
by the Chief Legal Officer.
Day-to-day responsibility is delegated to all senior management of the
geographies, categories, functions and operating companies. They are
responsible for implementing these principles, supported by local Code
Committees. Assurance of compliance is given and monitored each year.
Compliance is subject to review by the Board supported by the Corporate
Responsibility Committee and for financial and accounting issues the Audit
Committee.
Any breaches of the Code must be reported. The Board of Unilever will not
criticise management for any loss of business resulting from adherence to these
principles and other mandatory policies. Provision has been made for employees
to be able to report in confidence and no employee will suffer as a consequence
of doing so.
Unilever has earned a reputation for conducting its business with integrity and
with respect for the interests of those our activities can affect. This reputation is
an asset, just as real as our people and brands.
Our first priority is to be a successful business and that means investing for
growth and balancing short term and long term interests. It also means caring
about our consumers, employees and shareholders, our business partners and
the world in which we live.
To succeed requires the highest standards of behaviour from all of us. The
general principles contained in this Code set out those standards. More detailed
guidance tailored to the needs of different countries and companies will build on
these principles as appropriate, but will not include any standards less rigorous
than those contained in this Code.

We want this Code to be more than a collection of high sounding statements. It

must have practical value in our day to day business and each one of us must
follow these principles in the spirit as well as the letter.

Our history
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". With it, began an era of marketing
branded Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG).

Related links

Chronology of Key Events

Related links

HUL 75 years special issue - Doing well by doing good PDF | 5MB
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.
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; HUL offered 10% of its equity to the Indian public, being the
first among the foreign subsidiaries to do so. Unilever now holds 67.25% equity
in the company. The rest of the shareholding is distributed among about three
lakh individual shareholders and financial institutions.
The erstwhile Brooke Bond's presence in India dates back to 1900. By 1903, the
company had launched Red Label tea in the country. In 1912, Brooke Bond & Co.
India Limited was formed. Brooke Bond joined the Unilever fold in 1984 through
an international acquisition. The erstwhile Lipton's links with India were forged in
1898. Unilever acquired Lipton in 1972, and in 1977 Lipton Tea (India) Limited
was incorporated.
Pond's (India) Limited had been present in India since 1947. It joined the
Unilever fold through an international acquisition of Chesebrough Pond's USA in
1986.
Since the very early years, HUL has vigorously responded to the stimulus of
economic growth. The growth process has been accompanied by judicious
diversification, always in line with Indian opinions and aspirations.
The liberalisation of the Indian economy, started in 1991, clearly marked an
inflexion in HUL's and the Group's growth curve. Removal of the regulatory
framework allowed the company to explore every single product and
opportunity segment, without any constraints on production capacity.
Simultaneously, deregulation permitted alliances, acquisitions and mergers. In
one of the most visible and talked about events of India's corporate history, the
erstwhile Tata Oil Mills Company (TOMCO) merged with HUL, effective from April
1, 1993. In 1996, HUL and yet another Tata company, Lakme Limited, formed a
50:50 joint venture, Lakme Unilever Limited, to market Lakme's market-leading
cosmetics and other appropriate products of both the companies. Subsequently
in 1998, Lakme Limited sold its brands to HUL and divested its 50% stake in the
joint venture to the company.
HUL formed a 50:50 joint venture with the US-based Kimberly Clark Corporation
in 1994, Kimberly-Clark Lever Ltd, which markets Huggies Diapers and Kotex
Sanitary Pads. HUL has also set up a subsidiary in Nepal, Unilever Nepal Limited

(UNL), and its factory represents the largest manufacturing investment in the
Himalayan kingdom. The UNL factory manufactures HUL's products like Soaps,
Detergents and Personal Products both for the domestic market and exports to
India.
The 1990s also witnessed a string of crucial mergers, acquisitions and alliances
on the Foods and Beverages front. In 1992, the erstwhile Brooke Bond acquired
Kothari General Foods, with significant interests in Instant Coffee. In 1993, it
acquired the Kissan business from the UB Group and the Dollops Icecream
business from Cadbury India.
As a measure of backward integration, Tea Estates and Doom Dooma, two
plantation companies of Unilever, were merged with Brooke Bond. Then in 1994,
Brooke Bond India and Lipton India merged to form Brooke Bond Lipton India
Limited (BBLIL), enabling greater focus and ensuring synergy in the traditional
Beverages business. 1994 witnessed BBLIL launching the Wall's range of Frozen
Desserts. By the end of the year, the company entered into a strategic alliance
with the Kwality Icecream Group families and in 1995 the Milkfood 100%
Icecream marketing and distribution rights too were acquired.
Finally, BBLIL merged with HUL, with effect from January 1, 1996. The internal
restructuring culminated in the merger of Pond's (India) Limited (PIL) with HUL in
1998. The two companies had significant overlaps in Personal Products,
Speciality Chemicals and Exports businesses, besides a common distribution
system since 1993 for Personal Products. The two also had a common
management pool and a technology base. The amalgamation was done to
ensure for the Group, benefits from scale economies both in domestic and
export markets and enable it to fund investments required for aggressively
building new categories.
In January 2000, in a historic step, the government decided to award 74 per cent
equity in Modern Foods to HUL, thereby beginning the divestment of
government equity in public sector undertakings (PSU) to private sector
partners. HUL's entry into Bread is a strategic extension of the company's wheat
business. In 2002, HUL acquired the government's remaining stake in Modern
Foods.
In 2003, HUL acquired the Cooked Shrimp and Pasteurised Crabmeat business of
the Amalgam Group of Companies, a leader in value added Marine Products
exports.
HUL launched a slew of new business initiatives in the early part of 2000s.
Project Shakti was started in 2001. It is a rural initiative that targets small
villages populated by less than 5000 individuals. It is a unique win-win initiative
that catalyses rural affluence even as it benefits business. Currently, there are
over 45,000 Shakti entrepreneurs covering over 100,000 villages across 15
states and reaching to over 3 million homes.

In 2002, HUL made its foray into Ayurvedic health & beauty centre category with
the Ayush product range and Ayush Therapy Centres. Hindustan Unilever
Network, Direct to home business was launched in 2003 and this was followed
by the launch of Pureit water purifier in 2004.
In 2007, the Company name was formally changed to Hindustan Unilever
Limited after receiving the approval of share holders during the 74th AGM on 18
May 2007. Brooke Bond and Surf Excel breached the the Rs 1,000 crore sales
mark the same year followed by Wheel which crossed the Rs.2,000 crore sales
milestone in 2008.
On 17th October 2008 , HUL completed 75 years of corporate existence in India.
In January 2010, the HUL head office shifted from the landmark Lever House, at
Backbay Reclamation, Mumbai to the new campus in Andheri (E), Mumbai.
On 15th November, 2010, the Unilever Sustainable Living Plan was officially
launched in India at New Delhi.
In March, 2012 HULs state of the art Learning Centre was inaugurated at the
Hindustan Unilever campus at Andheri, Mumbai.
In April, 2012, the Customer Insight & Innovation Centre (CiiC) was inaugurated
at the Hindustan Unilever campus at Andheri, Mumbai
HUL completes 80 years of corporate existence in India on October 17 th, 2013.

Our leadership
Hindustan Unilever Limited is India's largest Fast Moving Consumer
Goods (FMCG) company. It is present in Home & Personal Care and
Foods & Beverages categories. HUL has over 16,500 employees,
including over 1500 managers
The fundamental principle determining the organisation structure is to infuse
speed and flexibility in decision-making and implementation, with empowered
managers across the companys nationwide operations.

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NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

Mr. Harish ManwaniChairman

Mr. Harish Manwani (61) assumed charge as the Non-Executive Chairman of the
Company with effect from 1st July, 2005.
BOARD OF DIRECTOR

Mr. Sanjiv MehtaCEO and Managing Director

Mr. Sanjiv Mehta (53) joined the Board of the Company in October 2013. He is
also the Executive Vice President for Unilever in South Asia and a member of
Unilevers Global Market Executive.
BOARD OF DIRECTOR

Mr. P. B. BalajiChief Financial Officer

Mr. P. B. Balaji (45) joined the Company as a Management Trainee in May 1993
and has worked in number of roles in finance and supply chain over a period of
20 years.
BOARD OF DIRECTOR

Mr. Pradeep BanerjeeExecutive Director, Supply Chain

Mr. Pradeep Banerjee (56) joined the Company as a Management Trainee in
1980.
BOARD OF DIRECTOR

Mr. Aditya NarayanIndependent Director

Mr. Aditya Narayan (62) began his career as a Management Trainee with ICI India
Limited (now Akzo Nobel India Limited) in 1973.
BOARD OF DIRECTOR

Mr. S. RamadoraiIndependent Director

Mr. S. Ramadorai (69) is currently acting as Chairman of National Skill
Development Agency (NSDA) in the rank of a Cabinet Minister.
NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

Mr. O. P. BhattIndependent Director

Mr. O. P. Bhatt (63) is the former Chairman of SBI (State Bank of India).
NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

Dr. Sanjiv MisraIndependent Director

Dr. Sanjiv Misra (66) is a retired Indian Administrative Services (IAS) officer and a
former member of the 13th Finance Commission.
NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

Ms. Kalpana MorpariaIndependent Director

Ms. Kalpana Morparia (65) is the Chief Executive Officer of JP Morgan, India. Ms.
Morparia leads each of the firms lines of business Corporate & Investment
Banking and Asset Management.
RISK MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

Mr. Dev BajpaiExecutive Director, Legal and Company

Secretary
Mr Dev Bajpai (46) is a Fellow Member of the Institute of Company Secretaries of
India and has a law degree from University of Delhi.
MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

Ms. Geetu VermaExecutive Director, Foods &

Refreshment
Ms. Geetu Verma (48), has over 25 years of marketing, business & innovation
experience in leading FMCG firms P&G, Seagram, PepsiCo in India & Europe.
MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

Mr. BP BiddappaExecutive Director, HR

Mr. BP Biddappa (47) joined Hindustan Unilever Limited in 1992.
MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

Mr. Samir SinghExecutive Director, Personal Care

Samir Singh (41) joined Unilever in 1997 as a Management Trainee in India. He
has worked across many brands including Fair & Lovely, Vaseline, Ponds, and
has also worked in Foods in Customer Development in India.
MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

Ms. Priya NairExecutive Director, Home Care

Ms. Priya Nair (42) joined Hindustan Unilever Limited in the Consumer Insights
team in 1995.
MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

Mr. Punit MisraExecutive Director, Sales and Customer

Development
Mr. Punit Misra (43) joined HUL as a Management Trainee in 1996 and has
worked in leadership roles across Customer Development, Brand Building, Brand
Development and General management within HUL, as well as in the Global
Customer Development team of Unilever. He has worked across several of
categories including Home Care, Personal Care and Foods through various roles
in Customer Development and Marketing.