Riding through the forests of Burma (Myanmar), our founder, Mr. M. Manal, noticed restless elephants being fed the root of a plant that seemed to have a calming effect on them. The plant was Rauwolfia Serpentina. Fascinated by the plant's effect on elephants, he had it scientifically evaluated and found that it possessed antihypertensive properties.
He decided to make herbal tablets in a quest to contemporize Ayurveda and make it relevant to modern society.
Himalaya opened its first office in the picturesque city of Dehradun at the foothills of the Himalayas in North India.
Himalaya launched Serpina®, the world's first natural antihypertensive drug. Serpina® was the powdered whole root of the plant Rauwolfia Serpentina rather than an isolated fraction. This convinced Mr. Manal of the benefits of well-researched herbal medicines based on plants.
Cystone, a herbomineral formulation, specifically developed for the management of urolithiasis or renal calculi, was introduced in the market in 1943.
Dr. Roshan Captain joined Himalaya in 1950 as the Head of Research and Development. Dr. Captain put together Himalaya's first research team.
The year 1955 saw the launch of Liv.52, a hepatoprotective, which soon became Himalaya's flagship brand. Six decades later, Liv.52 has defied standard product cycles and continues to be a top seller!
Septilin®, a clinically tested polyherbal immunomodulator, was launched in 1960. Septilin® has undergone extensive scientific studies with more than 100 clinical studies establishing its safety and efficacy as an herbal solution to manage various infections.
Meraj Manal joined Himalaya in 1964, and for a year, worked in the manufacturing department or the "shop floor". A chemistry/botany graduate, he understood the structure of plants and chemicals in the laboratory. This hands-on experience proved invaluable to him.
For nine years, Meraj Manal worked to grow the business within India. He brought in a renewed sense of energy and infused fresh thinking into the organization. New products were launched, and the business grew steadily.
In 1975, Meraj Manal decided to move a part of Himalaya's manufacturing to Bengaluru, India. He believed that the growing business required better infrastructure, and for this, land was crucial.
The advanced manufacturing facility in Bengaluru was one of the first herbal manufacturing units in India to be granted a Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) certificate. The facility has expanded into a 28-acre campus.
Mr. M. Manal passed away in 1986. People close to him remember him as a man whose very presence was inspiring. He was a brilliant mind and a visionary, but above all else, he was a wonderful human being - humble, gentle, giving, and with an amazing sense of humor. His legacy lives on at Himalaya.
In 1991, Himalaya set up a 70,000 square foot modern Research and Development (R&D) Center in Bengaluru, India, providing infrastructure for advanced research in herbal health care. Today, the R&D Center houses high-tech laboratories with over 275 research scientists.
In 1994, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) implemented the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act. Herbal products that conformed to the new rules and regulations were permitted for sale in the US as dietary supplements, but with no claims.
In early 1996, Himalaya launched a range of Dietary Supplements in the United States, marking the beginning of a new era for Himalaya.
On March 12, 1996, an exclusive Himalaya store was opened in the Cayman Islands. Over time, customers visiting the store asked for shampoos, creams, soaps, and lotions. Himalaya's research team developed need-based personal care products for the store's customers, a decision that would change the face of the Company in the years to come.
Himalaya began selling personal care products along with the therapeutic range at the Cayman store. Soon, Himalaya's companion care or pet care range was launched.
A full-fledged Himalaya office was opened in Houston, Texas.
Subsequently, Himalaya opened offices in Dubai, Singapore, Riga, and Johannesburg.
After developing a few pet health care products for the Cayman market, in 1998, Himalaya formally launched a range of natural and safe drugs for commercial livestock.
Himalaya entered the personal care space in India, and given Himalaya's credibility in the pharmaceutical space, the range soon gained acceptance. As with the pharmaceutical products, the personal care range was also backed by research.
Shailendra Malhotra is appointed to spearhead Himalaya's Middle East operations
Shailendra set up the Dubai office, and under his leadership, Himalaya became the first Indian pharmaceutical company to be registered with the Ministry of Health in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Himalaya entered the Netherlands and Italy markets.
Himalaya opens the first exclusive retail store in Bangalore, India.
Himalaya introduced Purifying Neem Face Wash, packed with purity and the goodness of natural ingredients, the go-to companion for every adolescent, teenager, and adult facing pimple breakouts.
Himalaya's visual identity underwent a complete change. Himalaya Herbal Healthcare, the new brand name, was represented by a new logo with the earthy colors of teal green and orange.
Himalaya opens an exclusive Himalaya Store in Mongolia.
Himalaya Pharmaceuticals is launched in Kenya and Uganda.
To provide customers internal wellness products, Himalaya launched a range of single herb formulations called Pure Herbs. This range consists of 28 single herb formulas of popular herbs in Ayurveda like Neem, Tulasi, and Amalaki among others, that help maintain overall good health.
Himalaya's presence in Singapore
The same year, Himalaya set up a new office in Suntec City, Downtown, Singapore.
Expanding the personal care portfolio
Himalaya's personal care range was launched in South Africa and Tanzania.
Himalaya received the prestigious ISO 9001:2000 certification for the design, manufacture, and marketing of herbal health care products.
Himalaya started operations in Malaysia.
Himalaya entered the BabyCare segment with a range of herbal personal care products. The products offer gentle, safe care for babies.
Nabeel Manal, the founder's grandson, joined the Himalaya family. Nabeel's knowledge of the local market helped him identify a new opportunity in organic products.
With Dubai emerging as a prominent market, Himalaya RUMEA (Russia, Middle East, Asia) headquarters was shifted to Dubai Airport Free Zone.
Himalaya received the ISO 14001:2004 certification - the most recognized standard, globally, for environment management, from the National Quality Assurance (NQA), UK.
An exclusive Himalaya store was started at KLCC (Petronas Towers) in March 2006.
Philipe Haydon created new strategic business units for greater portfolio rationalization, launching new products, entering new segments and profiling brand Himalaya forward. Philipe revitalized heritage brands like Liv.52 and Cystone. He played an important role in growing the BabyCare business, catapulting Himalaya to the second position in this segment.
With a focus on East Europe and South Africa, Himalaya started operations in Riga, Latvia, and Africa.
Himalaya was granted the Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) certificate, confirming compliance with international guidelines laid down by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development's (OECD) Principles of Good Laboratory Practices and Norms.
The Company also expanded the APAC business by setting up an office in The Philippines.
A new line of body care products, Botanique by Himalaya®, was launched in the United States. Botanique received the prestigious Whole Foods Premium Body Care Certification, the highest mark of quality and cleanliness in personal care products.
A range of 24 single herb formulations, of which 19 are organically certified by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), was also launched.
Himalaya's manufacturing facility in Bengaluru was approved for compliance with WHO-cGMP (World Health Organization-current Good Manufacturing Practices).
Himalaya's Indonesian operations commenced in the year 2010.
This year witnessed Himalaya's foray into Egypt.
Himalaya set up a new office in Sugar Land, Texas. The seven-acre campus is LEED Gold Certified, a benchmark of environmentally conscious construction and sustainable operation.
Saket Gore was appointed as CEO – Asia Pacific to launch and expand the Company's presence in Asia. Himalaya products are now available in 18 countries across Asia.
Himalaya adopted a blow-molded technology, a first of its kind globally, for face wash tubes. This Packaging and Design innovation was one of the key milestones that helped the Brand attain leadership in the category.
The company expanded the RUMEA business to Pakistan.
Expansion of APAC operations by starting an office in Hong Kong.
The Middle East operations achieved a significant milestone by manufacturing Himalaya products in Dubai.
The Company established Himalaya Global Research Centre (HGRC) at Dubai Science Park.
Shailendra Malhotra was promoted as Global CEO consolidating all regions.
Himalaya introduced an enhanced formulation, benefit-driven architecture, building synergy within hair care categories, to provide an end-to-end-solution for healthy hair. Packaging and graphic renovation helped build a strong hair care portfolio with The Promise of Healthy Hair!
A new logo, "Himalaya Since 1930", was introduced to create a unifying global identity that communicates to the consumers around the world credibility and trust with a rich legacy.
Himalaya commenced operations at the Himalaya store in Mexico.
The Company also set up a facility in Bangladesh to manufacture face washes to reduce time to market and improve supply chain efficiency.
This year also witnessed start of operations in Myanmar.
Focusing on the local manufacturing of Himalaya products in Europe, operations shifted from Latvia to Warsaw, Poland.
Himalaya opened an exclusive retail store in Thailand.
Building a unique proposition for Himalaya in the fast-growing herbal segment and unifying its vast portfolio of over 500 products under a single Brand philosophy, Himalaya launched an equity campaign bringing alive the brand vision of "Wellness in every Home, Happiness in every Heart".
Himalaya attained the position of the 10th "Most Trusted Brand" in Personal Care in the Brand Equity Survey by The Economic Times, India.
An exclusive Himalaya store is opened in Singapore.
The Company widened its retail presence through over 300 stores in India.
This year witnessed the setting up of a manufacturing facility in South Korea.
The Company was awarded the SA 688086b Certification for Social Accountability System by BSI, London.
Sufiyan Manal, the founder's grandson, joins the company.
The Company sets up a manufacturing facility in Thailand.
Himalaya opens a retail store at DIFC (Dubai International Financial Centre).
Himalaya House, the home of Himalaya Global Holdings, opens in Cayman and commemorates the birth of our first direct retail store in 1996 and our journey into personal care product development.
It is fitting that Himalaya House is the location of the largest Himalaya retail store in the world today!
