UNILEVER ACQUIRES INMARKO
Unilever PLC
04 February 2008
UNILEVER ACQUIRES LEADING RUSSIAN ICE CREAM
COMPANY INMARKO
Unilever today announced that it has signed an agreement to acquire leading
Russian ice cream company Inmarko for an undisclosed amount. The acquisition
will further strengthen Unilever's position as the world's number one ice cream
business. It will also strengthen Unilever's portfolio and competitive position
in Russia, one of its priority countries.
Inmarko, established in 1991, is the leading ice cream company in Russia, with a
turnover of approximately €115m in 2007. The company has a strong brand and
product portfolio with clear market leadership in Central and Eastern Russia and
a fast-growing business across all regions of the Russian Federation and
Kazakhstan. It has an extensive supply chain network including three factories
in Novosibirsk, Omsk and Tula, and currently employs more than 4,500 people.
Vindi Banga, Unilever's President for Foods, said: 'Inmarko is a great brand
that is well recognised by Russian consumers. We will put Inmarko at the heart
of our ice cream business in Russia, and build on its successful strategy,
powerful portfolio, and great talent and know-how. At the same time we will be
looking together for opportunities to enrich and strengthen its competitiveness
with Unilever's global scale and category expertise.'
Chairman of Inmarko Dmitry Dokin has added: 'We think this deal will give our
business development a whole new perspective. Unilever's experience and
resources will provide significant impetus for Inmarko's brands'.
The transaction is subject to regulatory approval and is expected to be
completed in the first half of 2008.
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Notes:
Unilever in Russia:
Unilever has been operating in Russia since 1992 and now has over 2,000
employees. Unilever's portfolio in the country includes Axe, Clear, Dove,
Rexona, Sunsilk, Timotei, Domestos, Cif; Bertolli, Calve, Knorr, Rama, Rama
Creme Bonjour, Pyshka, Lipton, Brooke Bond, Beseda.
Unilever has four factories in the Russian Federation (Moscow, Tula, and two
sites in St-Petersburg,). The total volume of Unilever's investments in the
Russian economy is over $600 million. You can find more information about
Unilever worldwide or Unilever Russia on www.unilever.ru.
About Inmarko:
Company was established in 1991 in Novosibirsk where its headquarters is still
based. Inmarko is the Russian leader in ice cream business. Company
manufactures and sells more than 15 brands (with over 100 variations), amongst
most popular are 'Magnate', 'Ekzo', 'Russky razmakh', 'Torzhestvo' and
'San-Creamo', and also premium ice cream 'Status'. In 2005 the company began to
sell frozen vegetables and berries under its own brand 'Est' idea'. Company
employs more than 4.500 people while having extensive supply chain operations
across the Russian federation and Kazachstan with 3 factories (Novosibirsk, Omsk
and Tula), 8 owned or rented warehouses (total capacity more than 7.000 tons),
over 540 retail kiosks and around 50.000 ice cream cabinets.
About Unilever
Unilever's mission is to add vitality to life. We meet everyday needs for
nutrition, hygiene and personal care with brands that help people feel good,
look good and get more out of life. Unilever is one of the world's leading
suppliers of fast moving consumer goods with strong local roots in more than 100
countries across the globe. Its portfolio includes some of the world's best
known and most loved brands including twelve €1 billion brands and global
leadership in many categories in which the company operates. The portfolio
features brand icons such as Flora, Bertolli, Dove, Lux, Pond's, Lynx, Sunsilk,
Persil, Cif and Domestos. Unilever has around 179,000 employees in approaching
100 countries and generated annual sales of €40 billion in 2006. For more
information about Unilever and its brands, visit www.unilever.com.
Media Relations:
Global Tim Johns +44 7702 467725
UK Trevor Gorin +44 7711 020438
Europe Tanno Massar +31 651 797781
US Dean Mastrojohn +1 201 894 2721
Russia Denis Gurinovich +7 495 745 7380
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This announcement may contain forward-looking statements, including
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