Unilever Bangladesh is a company that has its own history intrinsically built with the development of our nation and our culture. It has been part of the Bangladeshi household since the 19th century with the same intention of bringing cleanliness and convenience to households as we do today. Back then Sunlight soap was marketed through Lever Brothers India limited throughout the undivided India. Later on, Lever Brothers Pakistan limited started its operation in Bangladesh on a larger scale. In 1964, our soap manufacturing facility was setup in Kalurghat, Chittagong.

1964-1972

Productions started off with Sunlight soap and Lifebuoy soap. After the war of independence in 1971, Bangladesh became an independent country. At this time, Lever Brothers Bangladesh Ltd. was constituted with Unilever owning 60.75% shares and the Government of Bangladesh owning the remaining 39.25% shares.

1972-1980

Post liberation period evidenced accelerated growth for the company. Demand started rising and the company continued its mission to meet consumer needs by producing quality soaps, introducing Lux - the beauty soap and Wheel. Launched in 1972 Wheel entered the merchandised laundry category, traditionally dominated by cottage soaps. It appealed to the consumers with unique care benefits for hand and fabric, a generic weakness in cottage soaps. It gradually became the secret ally of Bangladeshi women by extending the caring hand to ease her daily laundry chores.

1998-2004

These are the golden years in the history of Unilever Bangladesh as the company turned around from severe losses due to competitive backlash - to a company with 6 years of consecutive growth. Around the end of November 2001, our new personal products factory “Sankalp” in Kalurghat started production which helped us meet the market needs from a shift on our dependence on soaps to diverse personal grooming categories.

This is also the era when Unilever Bangladesh introduced many exciting new products such as Pond’s face wash to end soap related facial skin woes or Lipton double chamber tea bags for more zest in our tea cups and the markets responded enthusiastically. In 2001, we brought about a new excitement in the kitchen care sector with the introduction of Vim bar, the dish cleaning soap – a concept of convenience and common household habits combined together.

In 2002 Rexona deodorant entered the market building in awareness about body odour problems and creating a new personal grooming habit in the country. The company’s soap formulations changed radically during this time to bring in world class standards – without any price rises. Lifebuoy, the health brand has moved from just the hard-working men’s soap to reminding one, of the bond of love that binds a family in a healthy circle, free of germs and sickness. In 2004, as a new variant, bringing in the goodness of Neem – an Ayurvedic medical marvel, Lifebuoy has reinstated its earnest endeavour to be ahead of consumer’s needs.

In the span of these six years, we gathered many accolades (link to awards page) to certify our fast paced move towards world class performance. Unilever Bangladesh had a journey towards adding new impetus to its trade marketing and today our products are available in 90% of the households in Bangladesh.

In a company wide move to come out from behind the great brands and be known as Unilever worldwide, Lever Brothers Bangladesh limited officially changed its name to Unilever Bangladesh in December 2004.

1990-1998

In the early 90's Unilever Bangladesh entered the tea-based beverage market introducing Lipton Taaza, Lever's flagship packet tea brand, with the objective to be the most preferred tea of the Bangladeshi consumers. World renowned Pond’s cream and Pepsodent – the dental hygiene expert began to be manufactured from our Kalurghat factory. Washing drudgeries of the busy homemakers were washed away with the introduction of Wheel washing powder and Surf Excel for premium wash. In 1996-1997, our manufacturing facility owned and run by a third party was set up outside Dhaka for wheel washing powder. With formulations suitable for local conditions, the washing powder concept brought about a huge revolution in fabric washing habits in the country.

1980-1990

The early eighties witnessed expansion of the company through diversification. Calibrating direction, the mission now included enhancing quality of life through other personal products aspiring aestheticism like sparkling white teeth, fresh breath, beautiful hair, and glowing skin. A Personal Product Plant was established to manufacture shampoo, toothpaste, and skin care creams. Sunsilk Shampoo, Closeup Tooth paste, Fair and Lovely for skin care and Vim for dish washing was produced and marketed to bring great international and regional formulations to Bangladeshi households at affordable prices. 1989 heralded the beginning of a fairy tale story – the initiation of LUX photogenic contest that brought the real life experience of glamour, fame and fortune to the doorsteps of young girls throughout the country.

With time it gradually evolved and diversified into manufacturing personal products like skin care creams, toothpastes, shampoos, detergent powders, and so on. Accumulating manufacturing experience over 40 years, we have a legacy of leading the market with international brands offered at affordable prices. Today, with 13 different brands in 8 different categories, Unilever Bangladesh stands as one of the most progressive partner in development for the Government of Bangladesh.