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Marico

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Marico is an Indian multinational consumer-goods company whose portfolio spans hair care, edible oils, healthy foods, skin care, male grooming and fabric care.

Last updated August 27, 2026

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Overview

Marico is an Indian consumer-goods company headquartered in Mumbai and built around a portfolio of mass-market and premium brands. Its businesses cover hair oils and hair-care products, edible oils, healthy foods, skin care, male grooming and fabric care. The company is best known in India for Parachute coconut oil and Saffola edible oils and foods, while its international portfolio includes brands such as HairCode, Fiancée, Caivil, Hercules, Black Chic, Code 10, Ingwe, X-Men and Thuan Phat. The company traces its commercial roots to Harsh Mariwala’s development of a branded national distribution network for Parachute in 1974. Marico Foods Limited was incorporated in 1988 and changed its name to Marico Industries Limited in 1989. The business established an overseas office in Dubai in 1992, reflecting the importance of the Middle East as an early international market, and became publicly listed in India in 1996. Its international expansion subsequently included manufacturing in Bangladesh and acquisitions or investments in hair care, grooming and food businesses in several emerging markets. Marico’s operating model combines large consumer franchises with product extensions and acquisitions. Parachute developed from edible-grade coconut oil into a broader hair-care platform, including Parachute Advansed products and body lotion. Saffola expanded beyond refined edible oils into breakfast and better-for-you food products, including Masala Oats and Fittify offerings. Other Indian brands include Hair & Care, Nihar Naturals, Mediker, Livon, Set Wet and Revive. The portfolio has also included Beardo, a men’s grooming brand in which Marico acquired a significant minority stake before moving toward greater ownership. The company has used local subsidiaries, manufacturing facilities and distribution partnerships to serve markets outside India. Marico has reported a presence in more than 25 countries across Asia and Africa. In India, its manufacturing network has included facilities in Puducherry, Perundurai, Kanjikode, Jalgaon, Paldhi, Dehradun, Baddi and Paonta Sahib. Marico Bangladesh operates as a wholly owned subsidiary and has manufacturing capacity in the Dhaka Division. Strategically, Marico has moved from a relatively concentrated hair-oil and edible-oil base toward a wider consumer-health, grooming and beauty portfolio. It has introduced digital-first and wellness-oriented initiatives, invested in fitness and grooming ventures, and pursued partnerships such as its collaboration with Kaya on a youth skin-care sub-brand. Harsh Mariwala remains chairman, while Saugata Gupta has served as managing director and chief executive officer since March 2014. Marico is active and remains one of India’s prominent branded fast-moving consumer-goods companies.

History

Marico’s origins lie in the branded distribution of coconut oil. In 1974, Harsh Mariwala created a national distribution network for Parachute, helping convert a largely commodity-oriented category into a packaged consumer brand. The company was formally established as Marico Foods Limited in 1988 and renamed Marico Industries Limited in 1989. During the early 1990s, Marico broadened its domestic portfolio. It launched Hair & Care as a less-sticky hair oil in 1991 and took Sweekar sunflower oil to a national market. In 1992, it opened its first international office in Dubai. The Middle East became an important test market: consumers sought less-sticky hair products and formulations suited to local water conditions, prompting Marico to adapt its offering rather than simply export the Indian product unchanged. The company later built a substantial regional presence with Parachute and related brands. Marico became publicly listed in India in 1996. In 1999, it established its first overseas manufacturing facility in Bangladesh and acquired Mediker, adding another established hair-care name to its portfolio. The company continued international expansion through acquisitions and brand investments, including Fiancée and Hair Code in Egypt and Caivil, Black Chic and Hercules in South Africa during 2006–07. It also developed a significant Bangladesh operation through Marico Bangladesh Limited. The 2000s and 2010s saw Marico expand beyond core hair oils and edible oils. The company formed Marico Innovation Foundation in 2003 and created copra collection centres to procure directly from farmers. Nihar entered the portfolio in 2006. In 2010, Marico introduced Saffola breakfast products and Masala Oats, repositioning Saffola as a broader health and wellness platform rather than only an edible-oil brand. In 2011, Parachute Advansed entered body care with Parachute Advansed Body Lotion, while Parachute Gold hair cream was introduced in the Middle East. Marico also acquired a male-grooming, skin-care and food portfolio in Vietnam. Set Wet was launched as a male-grooming brand in 2012. Marico subsequently pursued additional grooming and wellness growth through the acquisition of South African hair-styling business Isoplus in 2017 and the purchase of a 45 percent stake in Beardo’s parent company, Zed Lifestyle. In 2018, it invested in Revolutionary Fitness, launched True Roots and Studio X, and introduced Saffola Fittify. In 2019, the company announced a collaboration with Kaya to create a youth-oriented skin-care sub-brand. Marico’s present identity is that of a multi-category branded consumer company. Its Indian portfolio includes Parachute and Parachute Advansed in hair care, Saffola in edible oils and healthy foods, Hair & Care, Nihar Naturals, Mediker, Livon, Set Wet and Revive. International brands include HairCode, Fiancée, Caivil, Hercules, Black Chic, Code 10, Ingwe, X-Men and Thuan Phat. The company operates across more than 25 countries in Asia and Africa and has maintained manufacturing capacity in India and Bangladesh. Harsh Mariwala is chairman, and Saugata Gupta has been managing director and chief executive officer since March 2014.

  • 2019

    Kaya youth skin-care collaboration

    [1]

    Marico announced a collaboration with Kaya to create a youth-oriented skin-care sub-brand.

  • 2018

    Digital and wellness portfolio expands

    [1]

    Marico invested in Revolutionary Fitness and launched True Roots, Studio X and Saffola Fittify.

  • 2017

    Isoplus acquisition and Beardo investment

    [1]

    Marico acquired South African hair-styling business Isoplus and bought a 45 percent stake in Zed Lifestyle, associated with Beardo.

  • 2012

    Set Wet male grooming brand launches

    [1]

    Marico introduced Set Wet as a dedicated male-grooming brand.

  • 2010

    Saffola enters breakfast foods

    [1]

    Marico launched Saffola breakfast products, including Masala Oats, in India.

  • 2006

    Nihar joins the portfolio

    [1]

    Nihar became part of Marico’s Indian hair-care portfolio.

  • 2003

    Innovation foundation and farmer procurement centres

    [1]

    Marico Innovation Foundation was formed, and the company established copra collection centres for direct farmer procurement.

  • 1999

    Bangladesh manufacturing and Mediker acquisition

    [1]

    Marico opened its first overseas manufacturing facility in Bangladesh and acquired Mediker.

  • 1996

    Indian stock-market listing

    [1]

    Marico became listed on Indian stock exchanges.

  • 1992

    First overseas office opens in Dubai

    [1]

    Marico created its first international office in Dubai.

Products and positioning

A diversified Indian fast-moving consumer-goods company combining trusted mass-market franchises with premium, wellness, grooming and digitally enabled product categories.

  • Edible oils and hair care · 1974

    Parachute

    Parachute is Marico’s flagship coconut-oil franchise. It is associated with edible-grade coconut oil and has also served as the foundation for Marico’s coconut-based hair-care products. The brand’s extensions include Parachute Advansed offerings, allowing Marico to cover both traditional coconut oil use and more formulated hair-care and body-care propositions.

  • Hair care and skin care

    Parachute Advansed

    Parachute Advansed is the formulated extension of the Parachute franchise. It includes coconut-based hair oils and related products positioned around hair nourishment and reduced stickiness, as well as products such as Parachute Advansed Body Lotion. The range has been adapted for both Indian and international markets.

  • Edible oils and healthy foods

    Saffola

    Saffola is Marico’s health-oriented food platform. Its products include blended refined edible oils marketed under variants such as New Saffola, Tasty and Active. The brand later expanded into breakfast and convenient nutrition products, including Saffola Masala Oats, breakfast offerings and Fittify products.

  • Hair care · 1991

    Hair & Care

    Hair & Care is a Marico hair-oil brand introduced in 1991. It was positioned around a less-sticky experience than conventional hair oils and became part of the company’s broader Indian hair-care portfolio alongside Parachute, Nihar Naturals, Mediker and Livon.

  • Hair care · 2006

    Nihar Naturals

    Nihar Naturals is an Indian hair-care brand in Marico’s portfolio. It includes hair oils and related variants such as Nihar Naturals Uttam, extending Marico’s reach across value-oriented and traditional hair-care segments.

  • Hair care

    Mediker

    Mediker joined Marico through the company’s 1999 acquisition. It is associated with hair-care products and broadened Marico’s presence in specialized personal-care segments.

  • Hair care

    Livon

    Livon is part of Marico’s hair-care portfolio and is associated with leave-in and styling-oriented products. It complements the company’s hair-oil franchises with a more contemporary personal-care proposition.

  • Male grooming · 2012

    Set Wet

    Set Wet was launched in 2012 as Marico’s male-grooming platform. The brand focuses on styling and personal-care products for men and forms part of Marico’s effort to build a broader grooming portfolio beyond hair oils.

  • Male grooming

    Beardo

    Beardo is a men’s grooming brand associated with Zed Lifestyle. Marico acquired a 45 percent stake in the business in 2017, adding a digitally oriented and specialist grooming proposition to its existing Set Wet and Parachute Advansed Men offerings.

  • Fabric care · 1994

    Revive

    Revive is Marico’s fabric-care brand, known for cold-water starch products. It represents one of the company’s non-food and non-hair-care categories.

  • Healthy foods · 2010

    Saffola Masala Oats

    Saffola Masala Oats extended the Saffola name into convenient breakfast food. The product was introduced in India in 2010 and helped establish Saffola as a wider health and nutrition platform rather than solely an edible-oil brand.

  • Healthy foods and nutrition · 2018

    Saffola Fittify

    Saffola Fittify is a wellness-oriented extension introduced as Marico expanded into products associated with fitness and nutrition. It forms part of the company’s strategy of developing health-related offerings around the Saffola franchise.

Brand decisions

  • 2019

    Developing a youth skin-care proposition with KayaProduct launch

    Background

    Marico sought to enter or strengthen its position in youth-oriented skin care through a specialist partner.

    Action taken

    The company announced an association with Kaya to create a skin-care sub-brand aimed at younger consumers.

    Aftermath

    The collaboration represented a further move from traditional hair and edible oils into targeted beauty products.

    Source

  • 2018

    Pursuing digital-first wellness and fitness opportunitiesStrategy

    Background

    Changing consumer behavior created opportunities in direct-to-consumer, fitness and specialized wellness categories.

    Action taken

    Marico invested in Revolutionary Fitness and launched True Roots, Studio X and Saffola Fittify.

    Aftermath

    The portfolio gained additional digital, fitness and nutrition-oriented propositions.

    Source

  • 2017

    Investment in Beardo and acquisition of IsoplusM&A

    Background

    Marico was increasing its exposure to male grooming and international hair styling.

    Action taken

    It acquired South African hair-styling business Isoplus and purchased a 45 percent stake in Zed Lifestyle, associated with Beardo.

    Aftermath

    The transactions expanded Marico’s grooming presence across both established and digitally oriented brands.

    Source

  • 2010

    Expanding Saffola into breakfast foodsProduct launch

    Background

    Marico wanted to extend Saffola’s health-oriented positioning beyond edible oils.

    Action taken

    The company launched Saffola breakfast products, including Masala Oats, in India.

    Aftermath

    Saffola became a broader healthy-foods platform within Marico’s portfolio.

    Source

  • 1999

    Combining overseas manufacturing with the Mediker acquisitionM&A

    Background

    Marico was expanding beyond India while seeking additional positions in hair care.

    Action taken

    It established its first overseas manufacturing facility in Bangladesh and acquired Mediker.

    Aftermath

    The moves strengthened Marico’s regional operating base and broadened its hair-care portfolio.

    Source

  • 1992

    Establishing a Dubai international officeStrategy

    Background

    Marico sought to serve demand for its coconut-oil and hair-care products among consumers in the Middle East.

    Action taken

    The company opened its first overseas office in Dubai and subsequently adapted products for local preferences, including less-sticky formulations.

    Aftermath

    The Middle East became an important international market for Parachute and related brands.

    Source

Recent events

  • Marico appoints Rohit Jawa as Independent Director[2]

    Reported:

    Marico’s board approved the appointment of Rohit Jawa as an Additional Director in the capacity of Independent Director on 2 November 2026. His five-year term is subject to shareholder approval.

  • Marico board accepts CFO Vivek Karve's resignation[3]

    Reported:

    Marico's board accepted the resignation of CFO Vivek Karve at a meeting held on Thursday. The article says Karve had been associated with Marico for 20 years.

    Weekdays and relative dates follow the original report; their exact calendar dates have not been verified.

  • Unconfirmed

    Marico completes acquisition of additional Beardo stake[4]

    Reported:

    Marico acquired an additional 55% stake in Beardo, a men's grooming brand. The article does not state the date the acquisition was completed.

  • Marico launches KeepSafe hygiene range[5]

    Marico announced the launch of KeepSafe, a range of personal and out-of-home hygiene products, including disinfectants, hand sanitiser and wipes. The article says the products are available for purchase on Amazon.

  • Near.Store announced delivery tie-ups with Mondelez India and Marico[6]

    Reported:

    Near.Store announced tie-ups with Mondelez India and Marico to let retail consumers order their products through the Near.Store platform for home delivery.

  • Marico partners with Swiggy and Zomato to deliver essential food items[7]

    Reported:

    Marico partnered with Swiggy and Zomato to deliver essential food items from the Marico portfolio to consumers during the lockdown. The service was already available on Zomato in Delhi-NCR and Bengaluru and on Swiggy in Gurugram, with additional service areas planned.

  • Hair & Care launches #KhuleBaalBefikar campaign[8]

    Reported:

    Marico’s Hair & Care launched the #KhuleBaalBefikar campaign, featuring a television film and a TikTok hashtag challenge. The campaign also used outdoor and radio advertising in India.

Sources9 sources

  1. 1Maricoen.wikipedia.org
  2. 2Marico任命Rohit Jawa为独立董事adgully.com
  3. 3Marico董事会接受首席财务官Vivek Karve辞职business-standard.com
  4. 4Marico完成收购Beardo额外股权thehindubusinessline.com
  5. 5Marico推出KeepSafe卫生产品系列afaqs.com
  6. 6Near.Store 宣布与亿滋印度和 Marico 合作配送产品thehindubusinessline.com
  7. 7Marico与Swiggy和Zomato合作配送必需食品freepressjournal.in
  8. 8Hair & Care推出#KhuleBaalBefikar营销活动indiantelevision.com
  9. 9Marico fully acquires men's grooming startup Beardoretail.economictimes.indiatimes.com

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