HLL Lifecare turns to overseas markets

KOCHI - Kerala-based contraceptive manufacturer HLL Lifecare Ltd is targeting overseas markets including Europe, Indonesia and Russia to boost sales, its officials said.

The miniratna firm, formerly Hindustan Latex, has already got orders for female condoms from Indonesia, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Russia and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

“Exports to all these countries will start early next year,” K.K. Suresh Kumar, director (marketing) of HLL, told IANS.

Anil Sankar, deputy manager (production) at an HLL factory here, said the company had also got the green signal for exports to European markets.

“All products need CE Mark Certification for marketing in Europe. We received it this August,” Sankar said.

HLL in association with Britain-based Female Health Co set up the Kochi unit in 2007. The female condom division employs 20 people and has an installed capacity of seven million pieces a year.

The central government is the company’s largest consumer.

Last fiscal, HLL supplied 18 lakh pieces to the government. So far this fiscal, it has sold 11 lakh pieces and expects this to go up to 26 lakh pieces by year-end.

The company is also selling its contraceptive products in the open market. In 2007-08 it sold 72,000 pieces. The number shot up to 100,000 last fiscal.

Priced at Rs.100 for a packet of three, the company has begun a vigorous marketing programme in the country.