Haleon announces £175m India investment, targets 300 million more consumers

Haleon has announced plans to invest approximately £175 million in India, including the construction of a new oral health manufacturing facility in Madhya Pradesh and an expansion of its rural distribution network, as the company seeks to increase access to healthcare products and support its long-term growth ambitions.

The announcement was made on June 8, 2026, with Haleon describing India as one of its fastest-growing markets and a key part of its ambition to reach one billion more consumers globally by 2030.

The new manufacturing site, to be built in Madhya Pradesh in central India, will strengthen the company’s oral health production capacity and support supply across India as well as wider Asian markets. Haleon said the facility is strategically located in the centre of the country and close to several technical institutions.

The investment forms part of Haleon’s Win as One strategy, which focuses on unlocking growth, improving productivity and transforming the company’s culture. The company said strengthening its in-house supply chain capabilities will improve resilience and enable it to respond more quickly to changing consumer needs.

Haleon said its investment reflects growing demand for prevention-focused healthcare and daily self-care products. The company cited projections showing India’s consumer health market is expected to exceed £23 billion by 2030.

India is already one of Haleon’s largest oral health markets. The company said the latest investment will support wider access to its brands, including Sensodyne and parodontax, particularly in rural communities. It aims to reach more than three million retail outlets across the country by 2030.

The company said the investment aligns with its capital allocation priorities outlined during its Capital Markets Day in 2025.

Haleon is also increasing its focus on rural India, where around 65 per cent of the country’s population lives across more than 650,000 villages. The company said access to dental care remains limited in many rural areas, with one dentist serving around 250,000 people.

According to Haleon, as few as one in seven people in rural communities visit a dentist each year. The company said many people continue to live with untreated oral health conditions such as tooth decay and sensitivity, while specialist toothpaste products remain underused.

To improve accessibility, Haleon plans to expand the availability of lower-cost oral health products, including its 20-rupee Sensodyne pack, across more towns and villages. The company said the move is intended to provide access to science-based oral health products made with trusted ingredients at more affordable price points.

The company has also strengthened its sales operations, recruiting more than 500 people to its sales teams over the past 12 months.

As part of its rural expansion strategy, Haleon is investing in what it describes as “last-mile” capabilities. The company is doubling the number of frontline teams travelling by motorbike to remote communities. These teams are equipped with testing kits, samples and diagnostic tools designed to help identify oral health issues and connect consumers with treatment options.

One of the diagnostic methods used is a “chill test”, where consumers assess tooth sensitivity by drinking cold water. Haleon said the approach helps people recognise symptoms they may have experienced for years and introduces them to science-backed treatment options.

The company is also expanding its network of mobile oral health literacy vans. Branded by Sensodyne, the vehicles visit rural communities to provide education on oral health, conduct sensitivity and gum health checks, and offer access to oral care products.

Brian McNamara, CEO, Haleon, said: “India is a key strategic market for Haleon and an important driver of our long-term growth. This investment strengthens our local manufacturing footprint and expands our reach in one of the world’s fastest-growing consumer health markets. By increasing access to our trusted brands and building our capabilities on the ground, we are well positioned to capture the significant opportunities ahead.

“We aim to expand access to better everyday health for more than 300 million additional consumers in India. This will be key to achieving our broader ambition to reach one billion more consumers globally by 2030.”

The new manufacturing facility was marked by a groundbreaking ceremony and a meeting between Haleon management and the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh this week.

Haleon said the site is expected to create up to 500 jobs, strengthen local capabilities and contribute to long-term economic development. The facility is expected to open in early 2028, with supply operations beginning the following year.