Soon to be 'billion dollar’ firm, French beauty giant L'Oréal ramps up India operations

L'Oréal ramps up India operations
Soon to be 'billion dollar’ firm, French beauty giant L'Oréal ramps up India operations

Intro: With the mens grooming and skincare category booming over the last few years, L’Oréal India is also increasing its presence in the category. The brand’s consumer category product Garnier for Men is now available in some South East Asian markets.

As a part of its 2020 roadmap to become a 'billion dollar' company in India, French beauty major L'Oréal is significantly stepping up its research and innovation (R&I) division in the country.

"Our R&I centres in Mumbai and Bangalore are working on sustainable innovation to meet our target of reducing carbon emissions by 60 per cent at our plants and distribution centres by 2020," as informed to PTI by Jean-Christophe Letellier, Managing Director, L’Oréal India.

He also said, "Sustainable development is as important as the business and financial objective and L’Oréal is investing in integrating processes to reduce our carbon footprint here.”

This is part of the company's overall strategy to make India among its top five markets in the next few years. The company has set itself an ambitious target to clock revenues of Rs 7,000 crore by 2020.

Significantly, L’Oréal had pumped in Rs 1,000 crore in 2011 to ramp up manufacturing and set up research facilities here, and Letellier hinted at further investments to increase production in accordance with the growth of the business.

"Besides the unit in Pune, we have set up a manufacturing unit in Himachal Pradesh in 2013 for hair colour, which is built to be growth ready," noted the L’Oréal India MD said.

Meanwhile, talking about the research facilities, Letellier said, "India is one of five hubs globally where we conduct research. While each market has its own roadmap we operate in a very open system, and best ideas can be implemented elsewhere."

Several local innovations include non-sticky hair oil and hair cream, and face wash could be taken to other markets, said he.

Garnier for Men, the male grooming range, which was developed locally, is now available in some South East Asian markets. With the mens grooming and skincare category booming over the last few years, L’Oréal India is also increasing its presence in the category.