Himalaya Herbal Healthcare is planning to set up a manufacturing unit overseas in 2010 for its personal care division. The company is exploring Russia and West Asia for the proposed manufacturing unit.

In India, too, Himalaya is looking at capacity addition in its Bangalore facility to support introduction of new products in the personal care range.

Saket Gore, business head-consumer products division of Himalaya Herbal Healthcare told Financial Chronicle, “We prefer Russia for the overseas unit. In India, we have two manufacturing units for personal care products in Dehradun and Bangalore.” Besides the two personal care units, the company has eight outsourced manufacturing units in Bangalore.

Himalaya sells its personal care products in over 65 countries. The company plans to enter new markets in the erstwhile Soviet bloc outside Russia. It will also expand its presence in South Africa where it entered last year. In India, Himalaya operates about 120 exclusive brand outlets and 400 shop-in-shops.

On the product front, Himalaya plans to focus on expanding its range in the skin care segment. The company will launch more whitening and age-defying products. Similarly, it aims to launch more specialised products in the personal care range, where it at present offers kajal, under eye cream, sunscreen, and hair detangler.

The company is also betting on the face cleansing market in India, which is estimated at Rs 200 crore. The company, with its Neem face wash, has 18 per cent market share in the face cleansing segment. Gore said, “The growth potential in the face cleansing market in India is huge as the industry is witnessing 60 per cent growth rate year-on-year. Our focus will be on offering differentiated face wash products similar to the existing exfoliating face wash. We have found a niche with our Neem face wash.”

Besides skin care, its hair care range too will see new additions in six to nine months. The company has 4 per cent market share in the hair care segment, which is estimated at Rs 2,200 crore in India. In the personal care segment, Himalaya Herbal is also present in oral care, baby care and healthcare.