Closely-held Himalaya Drug Company makers of the liver tonic Liv.52, has clocked sales of Rs 300 crore 2002-03, up 25% from the previous year. The company's pharmaceutical division contributed to 60% of its sales at Rs 180 crore with Liv 52 continuing its position in the top 5 pharma brands of the country with sales of Rs 65 crore.

Besides pharmaceutical, the company also has a presence in consumer health, personal care, and animal health. Speaking at the launch of a new product from its stable, the Bangalore-based Himalaya's president and CEO Ravi Prasad told ET that its locus on brand building had helped it to post double-digit growth even though it did not flood the market with new products like other pharmaceutical companies. "We launched just three products during the year. The growth has come from the rebranding exercise of the company," he said. Himalaya is now the umbrella brand under which all of the company's products are sold even in global markets. Exports grew by around 50% to Rs 20 crore during the year. The company sells its products in regulated markets like the US and Europe, as well as the Middle East, Russia and Latin America.

Himalaya today announced the launch of its honey brand, Forest Honey, which it says has sourced from the Forests of Central, Southern and Eastern India. The company expects the product to corner 10% of the organized Indian honey market which is worth about Rs 45 crore in the first full year of launch. The company also plans to export the product.