Leading French Culinary Brands to be Acquired

Unilever PLC
24 November 1999

                               
            UNILEVER TO ACQUIRE TWO LEADING FRENCH
               CULINARY BRANDS FOR £460 MILLION


Unilever is to acquire Amora Maille, one of Europe's
leading culinary products businesses, for FFr 4.7 billion
(£460m/Euro 715m approx).
     
     This acquisition strengthens Unilever's Culinary category
     - one which Unilever has identified as offering
     opportunity for superior growth.
     
     Amora will become Unilever's Culinary brand in France and
     the platform to roll out existing and new products. Maille
     will be positioned as Unilever's global delicatessen
     brand.

     Roy Brown, president of Unilever's Food & Beverages -
     Europe Business Group, said: 'This is an important
     acquisition for Unilever. The European Culinary market is
     currently worth some £9.3 billion (Euro 14.5 billion
     approx) and will continue to offer good opportunities that
     will lead to sustained value through top line growth.'

     Completion is subject to relevant regulatory approval;
     employee representatives of Amora Maille are being
     consulted.


            UNILEVER TO ACQUIRE TWO LEADING FRENCH
               CULINARY BRANDS FOR £ 460 MILLION


Unilever is to acquire Amora Maille, the French culinary
products business, from PAI (Paribas Affaires Industrielles LBO Fund)
and a group of other investors, for a cash consideration of FFr
4.7 billion (£460m/Euro 715m approx).

The completion of the transaction is subject to the approval
of the relevant European regulatory authorities. Employee
representatives of Amora Maille are being consulted.

Culinary Products is one of those categories Unilever has
identified as offering opportunity for superior growth in
coming years.  Amora Maille currently occupies the No. l
position  in the French culinary market through its two major
brands - the 'Amora' range of mustard, ketchup, bouillon, salad
dressing and seasoning and its deluxe delicatessen range of
'Maille' mustard, special sauces, olive oil, and vinegars.

Amora Maille is expected to achieve 1999 sales in the order of
FFr 2.3 billion (£224m/Euro 350m approx) and an operating
profit of approximately FFr 280 million (£27m/Euro 43m approx).
Its net asset value at September 30, 1999 was some FFr 660
million (£64m/Euro 100m approx).

With this acquisition, Unilever will strengthen its position in
the European Culinary market, increasing its share from nine
per cent to 12 per cent.

Amora Maille employs some 1000 personnel and has its head
office and main factory in Dijon, Burgundy. Production
facilities are also located in Chevigny, Appoigny, Carvin and
Vitrolles. It has a sales operation in Belgium that accounts
for some 10 per cent of total sales. Amora Maille also has
extensive exports across Europe and further afield.

Amora Maille is a leading member of the 'Club Restauration'
alliance which pools the food service activities of a number of
strong players in the French market. Synergies will be reached
between 'Club Restauration' and Unilever's Astra-Calve
subsidiary to strengthen the latter's business in this
important sector.
                                                        
Amora Maille has a good track record of growth and innovation.
Unilever intends harnessing this expertise with its own to
launch new products and to develop future innovations.

Roy Brown, president of Unilever's Food & Beverages - Europe
Business Group, said: 'Amora Maille is an important acquisition
for Unilever. The European Culinary market is currently worth
some £9.3 billion (Euro 14.5bln approx) and will continue to
offer good opportunities that will lead to sustained value
through top line growth.

'This acquisition is fully consistent with Unilever's strategy
for its Culinary category.  The Amora and Maille brands both
have a long history and strong heritage. Amora will serve as
Unilever's leading Culinary brand in France and be used as a
platform to roll out existing and new products. Maille will be
positioned as Unilever's premium Culinary brand and become the
global delicatessen brand for Unilever. With Amora and Maille
Unilever acquires two leading Culinary brands with the
potential to become powerbrands.

'We foresee great potential for further development in this
market. Consumers, particularly younger ones, are increasingly
seeking variety and excitement in their everyday food. They are
more willing to experiment with new tastes and eating
experiences, but they also demand solutions for ever more
convenience in food preparation.'

Last month (October) Unilever completed the purchase of Slotts
and Kockens leading Culinary brands of mustard, ketchup and
seasonings.  And in April it completed the acquisition of the
leading Melissa-Pummaro tomato products business in Greece.
Neither consideration was disclosed.


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