Gillette sells Geep to Thanawalla

NEW DELHI: Shaving products major Gillette India Ltd on Tuesday announced the sale of its Geep battery business to Thanawalla Group of companies. The agreement includes all Geep brand names, sales and distribution network for the business and manufacturing facility at Mysore.
Most of the current employees at the manufacturing plant and in the sales and distribution network will be given the opportunity to transfer to Thanawalla.The Thanawalla Group is engaged in the manufacture and distribution of personal products, toiletries and allied products.
The Group has also interests in export of toothpaste, high-density polyethylene and polypropylene woven capsules and printed flexible packaging. “Our focus is on building the strength of our Duracell alkaline battery business. Maintaining production of zinc batteries in India does not support this strategic direction. The sale and distribution of our Duracell alkaline business in India is unaffected by the sale of the Geep business,� said Zubair Ahmed, MD, Gillette India.
Gillette’s parent, the US-based Gillette Co, which owns the Duracell brand, is a world leader in alkaline batteries. Gillette India acquired Geep in 1998. Gillette India’s batteries division contributed about a quarter of 2002 first-half sales of $38 million.
The company’s decision follows a review of the Geep division by consulting firm PriceWaterhouseCoopers.