Unilever Nepal Limited (UNL), the manufacturer of fast-moving consumer goods, posted a net profit of Rs965 million in the fiscal year 2016-17, which ended on July 15. 

The company generated this profit from revenue of Rs4.44 billion in the year. 

The income made by the company in 2016-17 is 13 percent higher than in 2015-16. 

This revenue growth was fuelled primarily by greater sales volume. 

The company recorded revenue hike of 13 percent despite the production plant witnessing a lock-out for two-and-a-half months last year, UNL said in a statement. 

“The company recorded sales growth across all categories. But sales of skin care and hair care products remained impressive,” said the statement.

With this income and net profit, the company’s board has recommended a dividend payment of Rs1,100 per share. The UNL board has recommended for an additional special dividend of Rs170 per share to its shareholders to mark the 25th year of 

the company’s establishment in Nepal. 

UNL Managing Director Suyash Chauhan said 2016-17 was a strong come-back year for UNL with profitable volume driven growth. 

“In a challenging year, we delivered a resilient performance by managing our business dynamically and responded to various internal and external challenges,” said Chauhan, adding, UNL is optimistic about the future prospects of business in Nepal. 

UNL is the producer of world-class brands such as Dove, Sunsilk, Fair & Lovely, Lifebuoy, Pepsodent, Clinic Plus and Lux, among others. Its products are available in almost every location across the country. 

Over the years, UNL has also supported various campaigns as part of its corporate social responsibility.

UNL has launched an initiative called ‘Swastha Nepal, Saksham Nepal, Hamro Nepal’. It focuses on improving health and hygiene, environmental protection and enhancing livelihood of local people. Chauhan said the company was committed to “creating ‘swastha’ (healthy) and ‘saksham’ (capable) Nepal through UNL’s business 

and brands”. 

UNL has also launched campaigns such as Hamri Didi, a programme to empower women by transferring entrepreneurial skills, Hamro Ramro Pasal, a programme aimed at providing better services to customers, and Project Prabhat, a programme designed to develop the community in which UNL is working.