Brands
Hul adds two WEF lighthouses as factories go digital at scale
MUMBAI: Hindustan Unilever has won fresh plaudits from the World Economic Forum, with its Pondicherry and LLPL Gandhidham factories named Advanced Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) Lighthouse sites. The recognition, part of the WEF’s Global Lighthouse Network, lifts HUL’s total to five such factories, after earlier honours for Dapada (2022), Sonepat (2023) and Doom Dooma (2025).
The two sites deploy 4IR technologies across nearly every process, running more than 50 initiatives across the end-to-end supply chain. Gandhidham, located in the water-stressed Kutch region, was recognised as a Sustainability Lighthouse after using AI, digital twins and the industrial internet of things to cut water use by 17 per cent, save 6.12 billion litres of community water, reduce waste by 48 per cent and lower Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 90 per cent through a shift to renewable energy. The transformation also supported a 12 per cent reduction in Scope 3 emissions alongside double-digit growth over three years.
Pondicherry was awarded the WEF distinction in productivity, after tackling rising product complexity and operational bottlenecks through machine-learning-led process control, AI-driven troubleshooting and smarter workforce forecasting. The overhaul delivered 25 per cent volume growth, a 23 per cent drop in defects and a threefold increase in product variants without adding capacity.
Hindustan Unilever CEO and managing director Priya Nair, said the twin honours underscored the company’s push to blend advanced technology with sustainability and long-term value creation.
Executive director, supply chain Yogesh Mishra said the recognition showed how AI and digitisation can drive environmental gains while strengthening competitiveness.
World Economic Forum managing director Kiva Allgood, said the sites illustrated how intelligence-led operations are redefining industrial resilience and sustainability.
Brands
Bajaj Consumer Care FY26 profit rises to Rs 193.7 crore
Revenue climbs to Rs 1,092 crore as profit grows 49 per cent YoY
MUMBAI: Hair today, growth tomorrow Bajaj Consumer Care Limited seems to have found its shine again, posting a sharp jump in profitability even as it doubled down on brand spends and expansion. The company reported a net profit of Rs 193.7 crore for FY26, marking a strong 49 per cent rise from Rs 130.1 crore in FY25. Revenue from operations also grew to Rs 1,092.2 crore, up from Rs 942.8 crore a year earlier, signalling steady demand momentum across its portfolio.
For the March quarter, profit stood at Rs 64.1 crore, compared to Rs 31.5 crore in the corresponding period last year, while revenue rose to Rs 308.3 crore from Rs 243.5 crore.
The performance came despite a notable increase in spending. Advertising and sales promotion expenses climbed to Rs 168.3 crore in FY26, up from Rs 137.8 crore in FY25, reflecting continued investment in brand building. Other expenses also rose to Rs 151.3 crore from Rs 134.2 crore, indicating a broader push towards growth.
Operating efficiency, however, held firm. Profit before tax increased to Rs 234.8 crore in FY26 from Rs 157.7 crore a year earlier, supported by disciplined cost management across materials and inventory.
On the balance sheet, the company’s total assets expanded to Rs 959.1 crore as of March 31, 2026, compared to Rs 931.9 crore a year earlier. Other equity rose to Rs 780.3 crore, reinforcing a stronger financial base.
Cash flow from operations saw a significant uptick, reaching Rs 196.9 crore in FY26, nearly three times the Rs 67.9 crore recorded in FY25, highlighting improved working capital management.
However, the year also saw aggressive capital allocation. The company spent Rs 190.2 crore on share buybacks, contributing to a net cash outflow of Rs 196.5 crore from financing activities. Cash and cash equivalents stood at Rs 6.8 crore at the end of the year, down from Rs 25.6 crore.
Even as investments in subsidiaries and assets continued, the numbers suggest a company balancing growth ambitions with shareholder returns keeping one eye on expansion and the other on efficiency.
With margins improving and revenue steadily climbing, Bajaj Consumer Care appears to be combing through the competition with renewed confidence.
