Procter & Gamble India has made a significant announcement, appointing Kumar Venkatasubramanian as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) from May 1, 2021. He will be succeeding the esteemed LV Vaidyanathan, who has decided to step down after an illustrious 28-year tenure, leaving a legacy of remarkable achievements and contributions to the FMCG giant.
Brief About P&G
The Procter & Gamble Company (P&G) is a well-known American multinational corporation that deals in various personal health, consumer health, personal care, and hygiene products. Founded by William Procter and James Gamble in 1837, the company specialises in several product categories such as beauty, grooming, healthcare, fabric and home care, and baby, feminine, and family care. In the past, P&G also had a food, snacks, and beverages portfolio, which was later sold to Kellogg’s. The company is headquartered in Ohio and recorded $83.1 billion in sales in 2014.
To focus on its core business, P&G announced in August 2014 that it would streamline the company by dropping and selling off around 100 brands from its product portfolio. The aim was to concentrate on the remaining 65 brands responsible for 95% of the company’s profits. Former chairman and CEO A.G. Lafley stated that P&G’s future would be “a much simpler, much less complex company of leading brands that’s easier to manage and operate.” As of 2023, P&G was ranked 55th in the Forbes Global 2000.
In 1961, Procter & Gamble introduced their revolutionary disposable diaper, Pampers, which quickly became a game-changer in the market. Before Pampers, disposable diapers were not very popular, and parents relied on cloth diapers, which could have been more efficient as they were leaky and required a lot of effort to wash. Pampers provided a convenient alternative to cloth diapers, making it easier for parents to manage their babies’ hygiene needs. However, the environmental impact of disposable diapers is a cause for concern, as it results in a significant amount of waste that requires landfilling.
Despite this, Pampers has continued to innovate and address parents’ concerns. In 2018, they launched the Pampers Pure collection, a natural and eco-friendly diaper alternative. This collection is free of harmful chemicals and synthetic fragrances that can irritate babies’ skin and cause rashes. It is made with plant-based materials that are gentle on the environment and provide the same level of protection and convenience that Pampers is known for.
Venkatasubramanian, currently the CEO of P&G business in Australia and New Zealand, has an impressive track record of delivering record metrics in his current role. He has been leading the sales team in P&G India until 2020, before taking up the overseas position.
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Mr. Venkatasubramanian, with his extensive experience in sales and business leadership, is expected to join P&G India and bring a fresh perspective to the company. His appointment is believed to be a strategic move by the company to strengthen its position in the Indian market further.
Mr. Venkatasubramanian is a seasoned professional who has worked with several leading companies. His expertise will help P&G India grow and expand its regional business operations. The company is optimistic about its appointment and looks forward to Mr Kumar’s contributions to achieving its goals and objectives in the Indian market.
About Kumar Venkatasubramanian
Mr. Kumar is a highly experienced professional, a testament to his education at the prestigious IIM Calcutta. His journey with P&G began in 2000, right after graduating, when he joined the sales team in India. Throughout his nearly 24-year career, he has held various roles across sales in India, accumulating a wealth of knowledge and expertise that make him a valuable asset to any organisation he works with.