5th Nov 2007 16:45
Unilever PLC05 November 2007 UNILEVER AND LE GROUPE BEL REACH AGREEMENT ON SALE OF BOURSIN Paris, 5 November.- Unilever today announced that it had reached an agreement tosell Boursin to Le Groupe Bel for EUR 400 million. The transaction, which issubject to regulatory approval and a consultative process with the relevantemployee representatives, is expected to be completed in the next two to threemonths. Kees van der Graaf, President Unilever Europe, said: "Boursin has been a greatbrand for Unilever with a tremendous product offering and some memorableadvertising. Having taken the decision to focus our portfolio on prioritiesoutside the cheese category, I am confident we have found a new owner that willoffer further growth and brand development opportunities for Boursin as part oftheir dedicated and focused cheese business." "We are delighted with the acquisition of an iconic brand like Boursin, which isa great addition to our very successful cheese portfolio. We are extremelyoptimistic about our ability to grow both sales and market share," notes GerardBoivin, CEO of Le Groupe Bel. Approximately 150 Boursin employees, most of whom work in the factory in Pacy,France, will transfer to Le Groupe Bel as part of the sales agreement. In 2007,Boursin is expected to record sales of some EUR 100 million, of whichapproximately half in France, with the remainder in other countries in Europe,North America and Asia. - - - - - 2007 For further information, please contact: Sophie Jayet, National Communications Director, Unilever FranceTelephone + 33 1 41 96 62 55 Tanno Massar, Media Relations Director, Unilever EuropeTelephone +31 10 217 4463 SAFE HARBOUR STATEMENT: This announcement may contain forward-looking statements, including'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of the United States PrivateSecurities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as 'expects','anticipates', 'intends' or the negative of these terms and other similarexpressions of future performance or results, including financial objectives to2010, and their negatives are intended to identify such forward-lookingstatements. These forward-looking statements are based upon current expectationsand assumptions regarding anticipated developments and other factors affectingthe Group. They are not historical facts, nor are they guarantees of futureperformance. Because these forward-looking statements involve risks anduncertainties, there are important factors that could cause actual results todiffer materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-lookingstatements, including, among others, competitive pricing and activities,consumption levels, costs, the ability to maintain and manage key customerrelationships and supply chain sources, currency values, interest rates, theability to integrate acquisitions and complete planned divestitures, physicalrisks, environmental risks, the ability to manage regulatory, tax and legalmatters and resolve pending matters within current estimates, legislative,fiscal and regulatory developments, political, economic and social conditions inthe geographic markets where the Group operates and new or changed priorities ofthe Boards. Further details of potential risks and uncertainties affecting theGroup are described in the Group's filings with the London Stock Exchange,Euronext Amsterdam and the US Securities and Exchange Commission, including theAnnual Report & Accounts on Form 20-F. These forward-looking statements speakonly as of the date of this announcement. Except as required by any applicablelaw or regulation, the Group expressly disclaims any obligation or undertakingto release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statementscontained herein to reflect any change in the Group's expectations with regardthereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any suchstatement is based. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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