Sundaram appointed HUL VC

Hindustan Unilever (HUL), one of India's largest FMCG companies, announced several key management appointments at its annual general meeting today.

D Sundaram, director (finance and IT), has been appointed as the company vice-chairman and Dhaval Buch, executive director (supply chain), will join the company's board as a director.

The company also plans to source raw materials directly for Kissan, its flagship food brand, from farmers.

HUL has identified five key platforms "" health & nutrition, women empowerment, water conservation, green house gas emission and livelihood enhancement "" to drive its long term sustainable strategy.

Chairman Harish Manwani said, "We have made specific choices which are based on the needs of the country and the capabilities and skills we can bring to bear on these. We have articulated short and long-term goals stretching to 2015."

HUL intends to pass on the entire economic benefit of backward integration for Kissan to farmers. Amongst the other initiatives, it plans to enhance livelihood of 75,000 women and undertake water harvesting at 10 manufacturing units.

Since 2002, the company has reduced water usage by 50 per cent per tonne at its manufacturing operations.

The company recently developed a process of soap manufacturing based on the plough share mixer technology which eliminates the need for steam, cutting carbon dioxide emission.