HUL to prune workforce in line with Unilever directive

HUL was integrating 'brand builders and brand developers' in a bid to optimise resources, says CEO

Hindustan Unilever, the country’s largest consumer goods company, will rationalise its workforce as it reviews its business in line with parent Unilever's directives.

Last month, Unilever, the world's second-largest consumer goods company, said it would combine two of its main business units, food and refreshment, divest its spreads business, buy back shares worth 5 billion euros, raise dividend to 12 per cent, and target a 20 per cent operating margin by 2020, up from 16.4 per cent last year.

While the measures were aimed primarily at boosting its business prospects in Europe and North America, the India business, which contributes eight-nine per