Case | HBS Case Collection | 2013 (Revised from original 2011 version)

Hindustan Unilever's 'Pureit' Water Purifier

by V. Kasturi Rangan and Mona Sinha

Abstract

The case asks students to formulate a strategy to respond to various competitive threats to its Pureit Water purifier, launched in 2008, targeted at millions of low-income Indian consumers who did not have access to safe drinking water. The case describes in detail the product development and launch process that required HUL, the $3.5 billion Indian subsidiary, to innovate on many different fronts. It details competitive actions since the launch to set the stage for what the company should do next.

Keywords: Multinational Firms and Management; Marketing Strategy; Product Launch; Product Development; Social Enterprise; Competitive Strategy; India;

Citation:

Rangan, V. Kasturi, and Mona Sinha. "Hindustan Unilever's 'Pureit' Water Purifier." Harvard Business School Case 511-067, April 2013. (Revised from original February 2011 version.)