Unilver Ecuadorian Partner

Unilever PLC
Unilever NV
3 October 2000

 
UNILEVER STRENGTHENS LATIN AMERICAN OPERATIONS

- Acquires Controlling Interest In Ecuadorian Partner -

 
Unilever has acquired a controlling interest in the leading Ecuadorian
detergents, personal products and foods company, Corporacion Jaboneria
Nacional (CJN), for an undisclosed sum.
 
CJN was founded in 1911 and is based in Guayaquil, Ecuador. It has strong
market positions in detergents, toilet soaps, skin creams, dental care,
margarine and edible oils and has sales of approximately $100 million
(euro114m). For more than 40 years, Unilever and CJN have had an agreement
under which Unilever has provided technical knowledge and has licensed its
brands. This relationship was strengthened in 1994 with a strategic alliance.
 
Unilever's brands of Omo, Dove, Lux, Ponds, Vasenol, Rexona, Axe and Close Up
already have a significant presence in the Ecuadorian market. CJN also has
strong local brands such as Deja (detergents), Logarto (soaps and cleaners)
and La Favorita (foods).
 
In 1996 Unilever acquired the Pinguino ice cream business and with this
acquisition, Unilever is now present in Ecuador in all of its core corporate
categories.

The acquisition of CJN represents a further critical step to strengthen
Unilever's position in core categories in North Latin America. It follows the
acquisitions, over the past two years, of Sociedad Industrial Dominicana
(home and personal care products) in the Dominican Republic, of Cressida
(laundry, soaps, foods, beverages) in Central America and of a controlling
interest in Varela (laundry and toilet soaps) in Colombia.
 
Furthermore this investment emphasises Unilever's commitment to grow its
presence in Latin America as a whole, where its sales in 1999 totalled £2.9
billion (euro4.82bln) with an operating profit of £280 million (euro466m).

The consideration is not material in relation to the assets of Unilever.