Today, Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) completed the merger between GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare Limited and HUL.
This historic deal has brought together two most respected and trusted companies in the country. It’s a deal that will transform our Foods and Refreshment business as it gives us a strong foothold in the wider Nutrition and Health Foods Drinks (HFD) category, further building our position in the rapidly expanding health and wellness sector.
The GSK CH portfolio includes the hugely popular Horlicks and Boost brands that offer beverages designed to support the nutritional needs of toddlers and children, supporting their growth and development; as well as products that support other nutritional needs such as adult wellness, protein and energy; and women’s bone health. They are backed by strong research and clinically backed claims.
Helping India address multiple challenges
India faces a triple burden of nutrition: malnutrition, obesity and high levels of micronutrient deficiency amongst rich and poor alike. In fact, nine out of 10 children have diets that are deficient in micronutrients, and four in 10 are malnourished.
The newly-acquired nutrition brands are deeply in sync with our beliefs on purpose, particularly our aim to ‘nourish a billion lives’ and help to unleash the country’s potential with better nutrition.
They are also aligned to both the Sustainable Development Goals and the government’s ‘Poshan Abhiyaan’ flagship programme to improve nutritional outcomes for children, pregnant women and lactating mothers.
As Sanjiv Mehta, Chairman and Managing Director, HUL says: “This historic merger reinforces our commitment to India’s long-term growth story and allows HUL access to a fast-growing nutrition category, further bolstering our Foods and Refreshment Division.
“It is also an opportunity and a privilege to combine our respective strengths and work towards broadening our social impact and helping our country address the challenges of malnutrition, obesity, and micronutrient deficiency.”
New markets, products and people
Following the merger, HUL will be partnering with GSK (via a consignment selling arrangement) to distribute brands of the GSK Consumer Healthcare family in India. This partnership, with world- class brands from GSK (like Eno, Crocin, Sensodyne etc.) and HUL’s distribution strength, will help build further Hindustan Unilever’s go-to-market capabilities.
Did You Know?
- Horlicks has aided human endeavours since its creation, being a part of the polar expeditions and also the first transatlantic crossing by flight.
- Since Horlicks was originally introduced to India in the early part of the 20th century, the products have been an everyday staple in South Asian households across generations.
- The brand was positioned as the drink of choice of Maharajas, and many aspirational Indian families took to drinking it.
- Horlicks is made using natural ingredients with the goodness of wheat, barley and milk.