Mysore Sandal Soap scores a ‘scentury’

The iconic Mysore Sandal soap, which first made its fragrant appearance a hundred years ago, has endeared itself to both princes and commoners alike over the years.

The State-run Karnataka Soaps and Detergent Ltd, which manufactures the soap and is one of the few public enterprises that turns in consistent profits, was nearly acquired by billionaire Azim Premji’s Wipro a decade ago. Following resistance from KSDL’s employees, the Karnataka government decided not to sell.

“It is the pride of Karnataka and has been a consistent performer, posting profits of ₹40-50 crore annually. The future is bright for the company and we have plans to expand its portfolio,” said K Ratna Prabha, Karnataka Additional Chief Secretary, who heads the Commerce and Industry Department.

Starting off with a single product, the company has branched out to cosmetics, sandalwood artefacts, detergents and agarbattis.

Recently, the company launched two new products — Mysore Sandal Centennial Soap and Mysore Sandal Face Pack, both enriched with natural sandalwood oil — to commemorate its centenary year. It also launched the country’s costliest soap, the Millennium, a 150-gram bar of which costs ₹720.

“Currently, there is no plan to divest government stake. We plan to introduce brand extensions. The company will shortly launch hand-wash, face-wash, men’s and children’s products,” Ratna Prabha toldBusinessLine.

How it all began

In 1916, the Maharaja of Mysore Nalwadi Krishna Raja Wodeyar and Diwan Sir M Visvesvaraya set up the Government Sandalwood Oil factory at Mysore to extract oil from sandalwood. The Maharaja was keen that Mysore State find its place on the global map through ‘the world’s best natural sandalwood oil’ and that it become India’s ‘fragrance ambassador’. That royal wish has well and truly come true.