Hindustan Unilever

Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) is India’s largest fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) company. It was founded in 1933 and is headquartered in Mumbai. HUL started operations in 1888, with the marketing of made-in-England Sunlight soap bars. The company was incorporated in India on October 17, 1933. Over the years, HUL has emerged as the largest player in the FMCG sector with a wide range of products.

The market capitalisation of Hindustan Unilever Limited stood at over ₹6 lakh crore as of December 19, 2023. HUL share price has gained nearly 10% in the last three years.

HUL business operations

Hindustan Unilever Limited’s array of popular brands includes Lifebuoy, Lux, Surf Excel, Rin, Wheel, Fair & Lovely, Pond's, Sunsilk, Clinic, Pepsodent, Close-up, Lakme, Brooke Bond and Kissan.

HUL's portfolio comprises over 50 brands spanning across 16 FMCG categories, catering to the everyday lives of millions of consumers across India. Out of these brands, 19 have an annual turnover surpassing ₹1,000 crore. Hindustan Unilever Limited produces over 65 billion units of its products, reaching consumers via a network of 90 lakh retail outlets and various e-commerce platforms.

HUL's e-B2B app Shikhar has become a staple among 12 lakh retailers, streamlining their operations and enhancing accessibility. A remarkable 30% of the demand for HUL products is captured through digital means.

In the financial year 2022-23, Hindustan Unilever Limited collaborated with over 1,300 key suppliers, enhancing its reach considerably. HUL's material spending exceeded ₹31,000 crore in FY23. Hindustan Unilever Limited operates 29 owned factories, 10 offices and 32 logistics warehouses across India.

To increase its reach further, HUL in July 2022 unveiled a home care factory and an automated distribution centre in Sumerpur, Uttar Pradesh.

In 2015, HUL signed an agreement with Mosons Group to acquire their prominent hair oil brand Indulekha. HUL also announced the sale and transfer of its bread and bakery business, operating under the brand Modern, to Nimman Foods Private Limited.

HUL, in 2018, entered into an agreement with Vijaykant Dairy and Food Products Limited (VDFPL) to acquire their ice cream and frozen desserts business, including the flagship brand Adityaa Milk. In 2020, HUL made headlines by announcing the acquisition of VWash, a leading brand in the female hygiene segment.

The merger between GSK Consumer Healthcare and Hindustan Unilever Limited also took place in 2020. This merger brought iconic health food drink brands like Horlicks and Boost into HUL's food and beverages portfolio.

Financial Highlights

Revenue from operations of Hindustan Unilever Limited for FY 2022-23 stood at ₹59,144 crore, up 15.5% year-on-year compared to ₹51,193 crore in FY 2021-22. The company's turnover was at ₹58,154 crore and it grew 16% compared to the previous fiscal. The profit after tax (PAT) in FY23 stood at ₹9,962 crore, up 13% YoY. The company achieved an EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation) of ₹13,632 crore in FY23 as against ₹12,503 crore in FY22. Its earnings per share (EPS) increased to ₹42.4 in FY23 from ₹37.53 in the last financial year.