Disposal
Unilever PLC
11 July 2005
UNILEVER COMPLETES SALE OF
PRESTIGE FRAGRANCE BUSINESS TO COTY
Unilever today announced the completion of the sale of its prestige fragrance
business, Unilever Cosmetics International (UCI), to Coty Inc. Unilever has
received $800 million in cash, in line with the terms of the agreement announced
on May 20, 2005, with the opportunity for further deferred payments contingent
upon future sales.
The closing of the transaction in Austria will happen shortly upon receipt of
all necessary regulatory approvals.
The sale of UCI is fully in line with Unilever's strategy to focus on its core
categories.
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July 11 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.
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