1870 CE
Margarine Unie Precursors
Dutch margarine companies, including Jurgens and Van den Bergh, began producing margarine. These firms would later merge to form Margarine Unie in 1927. #history #food
Chronological Storyline (32 Milestones)
1888 CE
Lever Brothers Founded
William Lever established Lever Brothers in England to manufacture Sunlight soap, leveraging innovative marketing and packaging. The company became a leader in the soap industry. #history #business
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1927 CE
Margarine Unie Formed
Dutch margarine producers merged to create Margarine Unie, a major competitor to Lever Brothers in the edible fats market. #merger #business
1929 CE
Unilever Founded
Lever Brothers and Margarine Unie merged to form Unilever, a giant in soaps, margarine, and other consumer goods. The merger was driven by shared interests in raw materials and markets. #corporatehistory #merger
By Arild Vågen - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=31461921
1933 CE
Unilever Enters India
Unilever established its Indian subsidiary, Hindustan Vanaspati Manufacturing Company (later Hindustan Unilever), beginning its long-term presence in South Asia. #expansion #India
1957 CE
Dove Soap Launched
Unilever introduced Dove soap, a revolutionary mild cleansing bar. It became one of the company's most iconic brands. #productlaunch #beauty )
1957 CE
Acquisition of Birds Eye
Unilever acquired Birds Eye, a leading frozen food brand, expanding into the processed food sector. #acquisition #food
1958 CE
Wall's Ice Cream Expansion
Unilever's Wall's brand expanded ice cream production globally, becoming a market leader. #icecream #food )
By Unilever - Based on logo provided by Unilever, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=52726517
1964 CE
Comfort Fabric Softener Launched
Unilever introduced Comfort, the first fabric softener in many markets, strengthening its laundry portfolio. #productlaunch #homecare )
1972 CE
Acquisition of Lipton Tea
Unilever merged with Lipton, a major tea brand, gaining a strong foothold in the global tea market. #acquisition #beverages
1984 CE
Magnum Ice Cream Launched
Unilever introduced Magnum, a premium ice cream brand, which became a global success. #productlaunch #icecream )
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1984 CE
Acquisition of Brooke Bond
Unilever bought Brooke Bond, another leading tea brand, consolidating its position in the tea industry. #acquisition #tea
By Unilever, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=19225812
1987 CE
Acquisition of Chesebrough-Pond's
Unilever purchased Chesebrough-Pond's, adding brands like Vaseline, Pond's, and Cutex to its portfolio. #acquisition #beauty
By Pond's extract company - Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library, Duke University. http://scriptorium.lib.duke.edu/eaa/ponds/P00/P0041-72dpi.jpeg, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10389942
1989 CE
Acquisition of Elizabeth Arden
Unilever acquired Elizabeth Arden, entering the prestige beauty and fragrance market. #acquisition #beauty
By New York World-Telegram and the Sun staff photographer: Fisher, Alan, photographer. - Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division. New York World-Telegram and the Sun Newspaper Photograph Collection. http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/cph.3c23247, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1309796
1996 CE
Acquisition of Helene Curtis
Unilever bought Helene Curtis, gaining brands like Suave, Degree, and TRESemmé to strengthen its hair care business. #acquisition #haircare
1999 CE
Divestiture of Specialty Chemicals
Unilever sold its specialty chemicals division to ICI, focusing on core consumer goods. #restructuring #divestiture
2000 CE
Acquisitions of Slim Fast and Ben & Jerry's
Unilever acquired Slim Fast (diet foods) and Ben & Jerry's (premium ice cream) for combined $4.6 billion, diversifying its food portfolio. #acquisition #food
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2001 CE
Acquisition of Bestfoods
Unilever purchased Bestfoods for $20.3 billion, adding brands like Hellmann's, Knorr, and Skippy. It was the largest acquisition in the company's history. #acquisition #food
2004 CE
Path to Growth Strategy
Unilever launched 'Path to Growth', a restructuring plan to focus on leading brands and cut costs. The strategy involved divesting underperforming businesses and concentrating on 400 core brands. #strategy #restructuring
2005 CE
Divestiture of Birds Eye
Unilever sold its frozen foods business, including Birds Eye, to Permira for £1.2 billion, as part of focusing on core brands. #divestiture #food
2008 CE
Unilever Sustainable Living Plan Announced
CEO Paul Polman unveiled the Unilever Sustainable Living Plan, aiming to decouple growth from environmental impact and improve social outcomes. The plan set ambitious targets for sustainability. #sustainability #corporate
2010 CE
Acquisition of Alberto-Culver
Unilever acquired Alberto-Culver for $3.7 billion, adding brands like VO5 and TRESemmé to its hair care portfolio. #acquisition #haircare
2011 CE
Acquisition of Tigi
Unilever bought Tigi, a professional hair care brand, enhancing its presence in salons. #acquisition #haircare
2014 CE
Divestiture of Ragu and Bertolli
Unilever sold its Ragu and Bertolli pasta sauce brands to Mizkan for $2.1 billion, as part of portfolio simplification. #divestiture #food
2015 CE
Announcement of Spreads Business Sale
Unilever declared its intention to sell its spreads business (Flora, Becel) due to declining margins and health trends. The sale was completed in 2017. #divestiture #strategy )
Feb 17, 2017 CE
Kraft Heinz Bid Rejected
Kraft Heinz made a surprise $143 billion takeover approach, which Unilever swiftly rejected. The bid led to increased focus on shareholder value and cost-cutting. #merger #rejection
2018 CE
Horticks Acquisition from GSK
Unilever acquired GlaxoSmithKline's Horlicks and other nutritional drinks in India for €3.8 billion, strengthening its health food business. #acquisition #health
By Duncan Verrall from Innerleithen, United Kingdom - When you've had a Horlicks of a day..., CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=44959023
Nov 10, 2020 CE
Unification Under UK Parent
Unilever completed the unification of its dual Anglo-Dutch legal structure into a single parent company based in London, ending its 90-year dual structure. #corporate #restructuring
Jul 1, 2021 CE
Tea Business Sale Announced
Unilever agreed to sell its global tea business (Lipton, PG Tips) to CVC Capital Partners for €4.5 billion, focusing on faster-growing categories. #divestiture #tea
2022 CE
Acquisition of Nutrafol and SmartyPants Vitamins
Unilever expanded into health supplements by acquiring Nutrafol (hair wellness) and SmartyPants Vitamins. #acquisition #health
Jul 1, 2023 CE
Hein Schumacher Becomes CEO
Hein Schumacher succeeded Alan Jope as CEO of Unilever, with a mandate to revive growth and focus on brand performance. #leadership #CEO
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2024 CE
Divestiture of Elida Beauty
Unilever sold its Elida Beauty portfolio (including brands like Pond's, Timotei) to Yellow Wood Partners, as part of streamlining operations. #divestiture #beauty