Hindustan Lever limited (HLL) has changed its name as Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL). After 51 years as Unilever subsidiary’s existence in India as HLL has would be called with parent’s company name. The proposal to change the name had been in pipeline since last three years.

After tough negotiations with the multinational’s own employees, its consumers and other stakeholders, it has been decided finally that HLL would be changed in HUL.

In India, HLL is a popular household brand name. Its products such as Surf, Lux, Sunsilk, Pepsodent and Lifebuoy touch the lives of more than 60% of Indians.

Earlier, it was largely speculated that HLL would be changed as Unilever India Ltd. But now it has been decided that HUL would be its new name in India.

The Employees and shareholders had given the hint that it would be difficult for the company to shake off the cultural association linked with the name ‘Hindustan’.

Company’s chairman Harish Manwani said that the name change retains the company’s consistent commitment towards its roots in the country.

The Multinational company Unilever is trying to create a uniform brand name across the world. The last of the Unilever subsidiaries that changed their names were Nepal Lever, which changed its name as Unilever Nepal. The Nippon Lever has been changed as Unilever Japan.

The HLL is the single largest subsidiary company in Unilever world in terme of revenue generation (Rs 12,103 crore in 2006).

The board of HLL has approved the change of name. Now, it would be put to vote by its shareholders at the annual general meeting. Then, It may take one more year till the daunting process embossing the new name on product packaging.

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