12.09.05
INDIA: Hindustan Lever Ltd. (HLL) is set to merge with Vasishti Detergents (VDL). VDL manufactures soaps and detergents from its plant at Ratnagiri. It has no brands or distribution set-up of its own and supplies its entire output to HLL through a processing arrangement. Soaps and detergents account for approximately 45% of HLL’s sales. In the quarter ended June 2005, the company’s soaps and detergents business grew 9.3% more than the same period the year before. HLL has made significant investments in product innovations and upgrades.