UK: Unilever confirms closure of Norwich facility
Unilever, the Anglo-Dutch consumer goods giant, has confirmed that it is to close its factory in Norwich, in a shakeup of its UK manufacturing operations. The closure of the factory was first mooted when soft drinks firm Britvic announced that it would be axing its own factory on the same site. At the time, Unilever said […]
USA: Unilever to acquire Schmidt’s Naturals
FMCG giant Unilever has announced that it has reached an agreement to acquire US based personal care company Schmidt’s Naturals for an undisclosed sum. Schmidt’s Naturals is an Oregon-based company that produces personal care products such as deodorant, bar soap and toothpaste. According to a Unilever press release, Schmidt’s Naturals aims to make natural products […]
UK: Unilever announces sale of spreads business
Anglo-Dutch FMCG giant Unilever has completed the long-awaited sale of its spreads business, having secured a deal worth €6.825 billion ($8.04 billion) on a cash-free, debt-free basis with investment firm KKR. Unilever’s Spreads business includes brands such as Becel, Flora, Country Crock, Blue Band, I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter, Rama and ProActiv. It operates across […]
USA: Unilever expands in personal care with Sundial Brands acquisition
Unilever, the FMCG multinational, has announced the expansion of its personal care portfolio with the acquisition of New York, USA based toiletries firm Sundial Brands for an undisclosed sum. Announcing the move in a statement, Unilever said that the move would “accelerate[] […] category growth by addressing under-served needs of multicultural and millennial consumers”. Founded in […]
Netherlands: Unilever sells Drie Hoek cleaning brand
FMCG giant Unilever is selling its Drie Hoek brand of natural household cleaners to the Dutch firm Marcel’s Green Soap, led by former Unilever executive Marcel Belt. Drie Hoek is a traditional ‘green’ soap brand dating back over 100 years and is primarily sold in the Netherlands. Described as being made from plant ingredients such […]
USA: Unilever to buy Tazo from Starbucks for $384 million
Anglo-Dutch consumer giant Unilever has announced an agreement to acquire the Tazo tea brand from Starbucks for $384 million. According to a company statement, Tazo had sales of $112.5 million in the past year and enjoys a strong position in specialty black, green and herbal teas, as well as liquid concentrates such as chai latte. […]
Italy: Ferrero to partner with Unilever on Kinder ice cream
Confectionery and nut butter firm Ferrero is to partner with FMCG multinational Unilever to bring the Kinder chocolate brand to the ice cream category, according to a report in La Stampa. Under the terms of the agreement, Ferrero will license the Kinder brand to Unilever, who in turn will take responsibility for production and distribution. […]
UK: Britvic to close Norwich plant
Britvic, the UK-based soft drinks firm, has announced that it is proposing to close its manufacturing site in Norwich, UK , “following a detailed review of our manufacturing sites and distribution network”. The firm said the closure, which is set to take place “towards the end of 2019”, would “improve the efficiency and productivity of […]
Brazil: Unilever to acquire Mae Terra
FMCG multinational Unilever has announced the acquisition of Brazilian natural and organic food business Mae Terra for an undisclosed amount. Founded in 1979, Mae Terra manufactures organic foods and healthfood products, with a portfolio of more than 120 products including organic cereals, cookies, snacks and culinary products. “Growing at over 30% per year, Mae Terra […]
South Korea: Unilever to acquire Carver Korea
Unilever, the global FMCG firm, has announced that it is to buy South Korean skincare and cosmetics firm Carver Korea in a €2.27 billion deal. Founded in 1999, Carver Korea originated as an aesthetics company supplying professional products to beauty salons, and is now said to be the fastest-growing skincare business in South Korea, through sales […]