Proctor & Gamble India

Procter & Gamble Co. (P&G) is an American company based in Cincinnati, Ohio that manufactures a wide range of consumer goods. In India Proctor & Gamble has two subsidiaries: P&G Hygiene and Health Care Ltd. and P&G Home Products Ltd. P&G Hygiene and Health Care Limited is one of India's fastest growing Fast Moving Consumer Goods Companies with a turnover of more than Rs. 500 crores. It has in its portfolio famous brands like Vicks & Whisper. P&G Home Products Limited deals in Fabric Care segment and Hair Care segment. It has in its kitty global brands such as Ariel and Tide in the Fabric Care segment, and Head & Shoulders, Pantene, and Rejoice in the Hair Care segment.

Procter & Gamble's relationship with India started in 1951 when Vicks Product Inc. India, a branch of Vicks Product Inc. USA entered Indian market. In 1964, a public limited company, Richardson Hindustan Limited (RHL) was formed which obtained an Industrial License to undertake manufacture of Menthol and de mentholised peppermint oil and VICKS range of products such as Vicks VapoRub, Vicks Cough Drops and Vicks Inhaler. In May 1967, RHL introduced Clearsil, then America's number one pimple cream in Indian market. In 1979, RHL launches Vicks Action 500 and in 1984 it set up an Ayurvedic Research Laboratory to address the common ailments of the people such as cough and cold.

In October 1985, RHL became an affiliate of The Procter & Gamble Company, USA and its name was changed to Procter & Gamble India. In 1989, Procter & Gamble India launched Whisper - the breakthrough technology sanitary napkin. In 1991, P&G India launched Ariel detergent. In 1992, The Procter & Gamble Company, US increased its stake in Procter & Gamble India to 51% and then to 65%. In 1993, Procter & Gamble India divested the Detergents business to Procter & Gamble Home Products and started marketing Old Spice Brand of products. In 1999 Procter & Gamble India Limited changed the name of the Company to Procter & Gamble Hygiene and Health Care Limited.

P&G Home Products Limited was incorporated as 100% subsidiary of The Procter & Gamble Company, USA in 1993 and it launched launches Ariel Super Soaker. In the same year Procter & Gamble India divested the Detergents business to Procter & Gamble Home Products. In 1995, Procter & Gamble Home Products entered the Haircare Category with the launch of Pantene Pro-V shampoo. In 1997 Procter & Gamble Home Products launches Head & Shoulders shampoo. In 2000, Procter & Gamble Home Products introduced Tide Detergent Powder - the largest selling detergent in the world. In 2003, Procter & Gamble Home Products Limited launched Pampers - world's number one selling diaper brand.

Today, Proctor & Gamble is the second largest FMCG company in India after Hindustan Lever Limited.

Note: The above information was last updated on 21-07-2007