HUL's aerosol plant to go on stream shortly

The company is investing Euro 50 mn over a period of three years at Khamgaon facility in Maharashtra

Hindustan Unilever Limited’s (HUL) first aerosol deodorant manufacturing facility at Khamgaon in Maharashtra is almost ready and expected to go on stream shortly, according to Unilever global chief operating officer and chairman of HUL, Harish Manwani.

HUL is investing Euro 50 million over a period of three years in the manufacturing facility, which will service India and across Southeast Asia including Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam. The production capacity of the plant has been planned to scale up gradually to generate direct employment for over 150 people.   

“The plant is ready and initial trial runs are going on. It is waiting  for certain permissions from the government. Once they are received, the facility will commence production,” HUL spokesperson, Prasad Pradhan, told Business Standard.

Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, Manwani said HUL had specific plans for rural India, which “is a power house waiting to emerge”.

The plans include creating accessibility for HUL products through a widespread distribution network and working with small farmers to source some of the raw material required by the company. “We are constantly looking at how we can tailor our offerings to the rural people,” he said.

Replying to a question, he said HUL’s strategy was to have a portfolio that addresses “every price point”.  

Earlier, Manwani delivered the opening keynote address of the Graduate Business Conference being held at the Indian School of Business here.