Nicholas Piramal has seen strategic alliances as a vital link to improve technology. Its initial thrust to such alliances was notably in the OTC segment where the company is now a leader thanks to the alliances with its partners Reckitt Benckiser and Boots.

The company is now planning to acquire brands from the joint partners for the OTC joint ventures Reckitt Piramal and Boots Piramal. These joint ventures are also planning to introduce new products in the near future. Reckitt Piramal is concentrating on antiseptic and antacid segments while Boots Piramal stresses on throat and skin care products.

The joint venture Reckitt Piramal sells healthcare OTC products which include Dettol and Dispirin from Reckitt and Saridon from Nicholas while Boots Piramal is marketing Strepsils, Sweetex and Icy from Boots brand as well as two skincare products like Lobate and Melalite from Nicholas.

Reckitt Piramal had achieved a sales of Rs 271 crore and a net profit of Rs 3.58 crore during the year ended March 2000. Boots Piramal earned a net profit of Rs 3.94 crore on a sales turnover of Rs 29.99 crore in the same year.