4th Feb 2008 07:01
Unilever PLC04 February 2008 UNILEVER ACQUIRES LEADING RUSSIAN ICE CREAM COMPANY INMARKO Unilever today announced that it has signed an agreement to acquire leadingRussian ice cream company Inmarko for an undisclosed amount. The acquisitionwill further strengthen Unilever's position as the world's number one ice creambusiness. It will also strengthen Unilever's portfolio and competitive positionin Russia, one of its priority countries. Inmarko, established in 1991, is the leading ice cream company in Russia, with aturnover of approximately €115m in 2007. The company has a strong brand andproduct portfolio with clear market leadership in Central and Eastern Russia anda fast-growing business across all regions of the Russian Federation andKazakhstan. It has an extensive supply chain network including three factoriesin Novosibirsk, Omsk and Tula, and currently employs more than 4,500 people. Vindi Banga, Unilever's President for Foods, said: "Inmarko is a great brandthat is well recognised by Russian consumers. We will put Inmarko at the heartof 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 belooking together for opportunities to enrich and strengthen its competitivenesswith Unilever's global scale and category expertise." Chairman of Inmarko Dmitry Dokin has added: "We think this deal will give ourbusiness development a whole new perspective. Unilever's experience andresources will provide significant impetus for Inmarko's brands". The transaction is subject to regulatory approval and is expected to becompleted in the first half of 2008. ---ends--- Notes: Unilever in Russia: Unilever has been operating in Russia since 1992 and now has over 2,000employees. Unilever's portfolio in the country includes Axe, Clear, Dove,Rexona, Sunsilk, Timotei, Domestos, Cif; Bertolli, Calve, Knorr, Rama, RamaCreme Bonjour, Pyshka, Lipton, Brooke Bond, Beseda. Unilever has four factories in the Russian Federation (Moscow, Tula, and twosites in St-Petersburg,). The total volume of Unilever's investments in theRussian economy is over $600 million. You can find more information aboutUnilever worldwide or Unilever Russia on www.unilever.ru. About Inmarko: Company was established in 1991 in Novosibirsk where its headquarters is stillbased. Inmarko is the Russian leader in ice cream business. Companymanufactures and sells more than 15 brands (with over 100 variations), amongstmost popular are "Magnate", "Ekzo", "Russky razmakh", "Torzhestvo" and"San-Creamo", and also premium ice cream "Status". In 2005 the company began tosell frozen vegetables and berries under its own brand "Est' idea". Companyemploys more than 4.500 people while having extensive supply chain operationsacross the Russian federation and Kazachstan with 3 factories (Novosibirsk, Omskand 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 fornutrition, 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 leadingsuppliers of fast moving consumer goods with strong local roots in more than 100countries across the globe. Its portfolio includes some of the world's bestknown and most loved brands including twelve €1 billion brands and globalleadership in many categories in which the company operates. The portfoliofeatures brand icons such as Flora, Bertolli, Dove, Lux, Pond's, Lynx, Sunsilk,Persil, Cif and Domestos. Unilever has around 179,000 employees in approaching100 countries and generated annual sales of €40 billion in 2006. For moreinformation about Unilever and its brands, visit www.unilever.com. Media Relations:Global Tim Johns +44 7702 467725UK Trevor Gorin +44 7711 020438Europe Tanno Massar +31 651 797781US Dean Mastrojohn +1 201 894 2721Russia Denis Gurinovich +7 495 745 7380 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 currentexpectations and assumptions regarding anticipated developments and otherfactors affecting the Group. They are not historical facts, nor are theyguarantees of future performance. Because these forward-looking statementsinvolve risks and uncertainties, there are important factors that could causeactual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by theseforward-looking statements, including, among others, competitive pricing andactivities, consumption levels, costs, the ability to maintain and manage keycustomer relationships and supply chain sources, currency values, interestrates, the ability to integrate acquisitions and complete planned divestitures,physical risks, environmental risks, the ability to manage regulatory, tax andlegal matters 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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