An internal note delivered by CPIL chairman SA Lister elaborates that the international promotion stems from the fact that CPIL has successfully become the largest subsidiary of Colgate-Palmolive (US) in Asia, with a turnover of around $220 million (Rs 904 crore). This forms a substantial 12.79 per cent, of a gross turnover of around $1.72 billion in the Asia-Africa region.

It says that Jayaraman, who has been managing director of the Indian subsidiary for five years, was instrumental in bringing about major infrastructural changes in the company, ensuring CPIL a continued growth.According to company sources, heads of subsidiary companies of Colgate-Palmolive (USA) are internationallydesignated as general managers. While in India, Jayaraman was managing director, internationally, his designation was general manager & managing director. General managers, as the case may be, are then promoted to vice-presidents.

There is expected to be an evident change in the remuneration of Jayaraman from the recent promotion, sources said. However, any change in his remuneration would require shareholders' approval.

The promotion indicates the US-based multinational's continued faith in Jayaraman's abilities to steer the Indian subsidiary into the next millennium. The move also dispels rumours about Jayaraman moving out of the company and being replaced by an expatriate.Jayaraman joined the company in 1979 as product manager, after which he was promoted to the post of senior product manager. Jayaraman was later transferred to the US parent's Australian subsidiary as new product manager.He returned to India after an 18-month stint in Australia as oral care marketing manager. Within two years, profitsin the brush category of the Indian subsidiary nearly tripled.

In 1992, he was made in charge of bodycare as marketing manager. A year later he became the marketing director. He was promoted as executive vice-president (sales & marketing) in 1996, and a year later he was elevated as general manager & managing director of the company.

Jayaraman superseded Jim Trigwell, who relinquished his charge as managing director of the Indian subsidiary after a five-year stint. Jayaraman's promotion as MD was evident as he was one of the senior-most executives. Recently, Jayaraman announced his vision of doubling the company's turnover by the year 2000. In a year, which coincides with the company's platinum jubilee, Jayaraman unveiled plans to invest in infrastructure, technology and organisational effectiveness to help it enhance it market leadership and penetrate the oral-care market.