Disposal

Unilever PLC 20 May 2005 UNILEVER AGREES TO SELL PRESTIGE FRAGRANCE BUSINESS TO COTY Unilever today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to sell its global prestige fragrance business, Unilever Cosmetics International (UCI), to Coty Inc., of the United States. Unilever will receive a consideration of $800 million in cash at the closing, with the opportunity for further deferred payments contingent upon future sales. The business includes the perfume licenses for Calvin Klein, Cerruti, Vera Wang, Chloe and Lagerfeld, as well as a manufacturing and distribution center in Mt. Olive, New Jersey, and a distribution center in Lille, France. UCI employees will transfer to Coty with the business. Sales for the global prestige fragrance business for 2004 were in excess of $600 million (€490m). Patrick Cescau, CEO of Unilever said, 'This is an excellent strategic move for Unilever and one that is fully in line with our strategy to focus on our core categories. We are delighted that UCI's strengths will complement those of Coty and will enable the brands to grow within a leading cosmetics and fragrance business.' 'This is truly an exciting day for Coty,' said Bernd Beetz, Chief Executive Officer of Coty Inc. 'The acquisition of Unilever Cosmetics International and its leading brands will help to fuel Coty's growth and will further strengthen Coty's position in the beauty industry, making Coty a leader in the fragrance business.' 'We have enjoyed working with Unilever's current management team to improve and innovate the Calvin Klein fragrance portfolio,' said Mark Weber, President & COO, and incoming CEO, of Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation, the parent of Calvin Klein, Inc. 'We have great expectations that the reinvigorated Calvin Klein fragrance portfolio will continue its strong momentum as part of Coty's organization and benefit from their expertise in the fragrance industry.' The transaction is expected to be completed in the course of the coming months, subject to the necessary regulatory approvals and normal consultative procedures. -o0o- May 20 2005 SAFE HARBOUR STATEMENT: This announcement may contain forward-looking statements, including 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as 'expects', 'anticipates', 'intends' or the negative of these terms and other similar expressions of future performance or results and their negatives are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon current expectations and assumptions regarding anticipated developments and other factors affecting the Group. They are not historical facts, nor are they guarantees of future performance. Because these forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, there are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, including, among others, competitive pricing and activities, consumption levels, costs, the ability to maintain and manage key customer relationships and supply chain sources, currency values, interest rates, the ability to integrate acquisitions and complete planned divestitures, physical risks, environmental risks, the ability to manage regulatory, tax and legal matters and resolve pending matters within current estimates, legislative, fiscal and regulatory developments, political, economic and social conditions in the geographic markets where the Group operates and new or changed priorities of the Boards. Further details of potential risks and uncertainties affecting the Group are described in the Group's filings with the London Stock Exchange, Euronext Amsterdam and the US Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Annual Report & Accounts on Form 20-F. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this announcement. Except as required by any applicable law or regulation, the Group expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the Group's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. About Unilever Unilever, one of the world's largest consumer products companies, adds vitality to life by meeting the everyday needs for nutrition, hygiene and personal care. With a portfolio of great brands that make people feel good, look good and get more out of life, 150 million consumers around the world choose Unilever products everyday, including icons such as: Knorr, Hellmann's, Lipton, Dove, Sure, Surf, Cif, Marmite, Pot Noodle. Unilever has around 220,000 employees in approaching 100 countries and generated annual sales of €42 billion in 2004. For more information about Unilever and its brands, please visit www.unilever.com. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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