HUL sets up JV with Smollan Holdings

Mumbai, Nov 2 (UNI) Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) will set up a joint venture (JV) with Smollan Holdings of South Africa, to become operational from January 1, 2008.

The strategic tie-up aims to build long-term capabilities and bring ''in-store'' execution focus in servicing the Company's Modern Trade customers, a press release here today said.

The new company has been named as Hindustan Unilever Field Services Private Limited (HUFS) and will work exclusively on behalf of HUL in Modern Trade channel only. The operations will begin with the existing Modern Trade in-store execution team of HUL moving into HUFS.

Hindustan Unilever executive director (sales and customer development) Sanjiv Kakkar said in the statement, ''Modern Trade in India is growing and evolving very rapidly and our strategy for winning in this growing retail market is to win at point-of-purchase with our shoppers and by delivering best-in-class service to our Modern Trade customers. This JV will bring in world class execution excellence in the market and build the right capabilities to deliver the company's marketing strategy in Modern Trade.'' UNI