HLL’s Director – Exports V. Balaraman To Retire; Business To Have New Structure

Mr. Balaraman, who was Managing Director of the erstwhile Pond’s India Limited (PIL), made significant contribution to integrate PIL with HLL. Subsequently, as HLL’s Exports Director, he consolidated and streamlined HLL’s exports operations for sustainable and profitable growth. Earlier this year, the Government of India conferred HLL with the prestigious Golden Super Star Trading House status, for its consistent excellent exports performance. HLL is among the top 6 companies in India to receive this status.

From end-April 2002, HLL’s Exports operations will be reorganised. The reorganisation, which is based on recommendations of Mr. Balaraman, is aimed at more actively leveraging sourcing opportunities offered by Unilever companies, and also to leverage synergies with HLL’s domestic Home & Personal Care (HPC) and Beverages business.

Accordingly, HLL’s HPC Exports Group will report to Mr. A. Adhikari, Executive Director – Personal Products. The Beverages Exports Group will report to Mr. S. Ravindranath, Executive Director – Beverages.

All other Exports operations (Marine, Leather, Agri Commodities, Mushrooms, Carpets etc), will report to Mr. A.K. Mathur, Executive Director – Exports, Chemicals and Fertilisers. Mr. Mathur will also represent HLL on all corporate and external Export related issues. Mr. Balaraman, who is retiring in end-June, will provide guidance and help in the transition to the new structure.

HLL is working to a strategy of becoming a global sourcing partner to Unilever for HPC and Tea, and concentrating on value-added products in the chosen categories in which India has a competitive edge. The Group Exports turnover in 2001 was Rs.1829 crores. The Group continued to post foreign exchange surplus, which was Rs.670 crores.