As Reckitt Benckiser’s India business heads towards contributing more than 5% to global revenues, B&E highlights the possible opportunities and imperatives for the company.
Winters are generally dull for FMCG companies in India. But such was not the case with Reckitt Benckiser last year. Even as the December 2010 winter fog hovered over the Indian plains, Reckitt Benckiser, the British health & hygiene FMCG giant sharpened its growth ambitions in India by acquiring OTC-drug maker Paras Pharma for $726 million. Experts said it was a high price, but Reckitt rebutted them by countering that it’s an apt price for a healthy future. In the warmer sunny days of April this year, the man behind the action, Rakesh Kapoor, then EVP of Category Development, was awarded the CEO baton and his role in acquisitions was key to his case. He led the acquisition of Boots Healthcare in 2006 and SSL International and Paras Pharmaceuticals in 2010, which added brands like Strepsils and Clearasil (Boots), Dr Scholl’s and Durex condoms (SSL) and D’Cold, Dermicool, Livon and Setwet (Paras), to Reckitt’s kitty. Reckitt Benckiser’s acquisitive strategy has brought it to a position of reckoning. Instead of the P&Gs and the Unilevers, its major global competitor was a much smaller SC Johnson (over $8 billion in annual sales, also in the health & hygiene space).
Last month, Rakesh Kapoor was in India accompanied by his board members. India is among the top two developing markets in the company’s agenda, and the company is eager to make its Indian arm count. The Indian FMCG industry with a worth of over $13 billion is dominated by the personal care/beauty segment, which comprises of more than 50% of the market, and is dominated by players like P&G, HUL, ITC, Colgate Palmolive, Marico and Dabur. Health (& hygiene) comprises about 25% of the FMCG space. It’s widely fragmented in terms of players (local & international), as well as product offerings. But it’s rapidly growing, and central to Reckitt’s grand plans.
Last month, Rakesh Kapoor was in India accompanied by his board members. India is among the top two developing markets in the company’s agenda, and the company is eager to make its Indian arm count. The Indian FMCG industry with a worth of over $13 billion is dominated by the personal care/beauty segment, which comprises of more than 50% of the market, and is dominated by players like P&G, HUL, ITC, Colgate Palmolive, Marico and Dabur. Health (& hygiene) comprises about 25% of the FMCG space. It’s widely fragmented in terms of players (local & international), as well as product offerings. But it’s rapidly growing, and central to Reckitt’s grand plans.
Source : IIPM Editorial, 2012.
An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri
and Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).
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An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri
and Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).
For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles.
IIPM Best B School India
Management Guru Arindam Chaudhuri
Rajita Chaudhuri-The New Age Woman
IIPM's Management Consulting Arm-Planman Consultin
