Unilever
In 1930, two massive companies joined forces to create a new entity. Dutch margarine producer Margarine Unie merged with British soap maker Lever Brothers. The name Unilever blended the names of both parent companies into a single word. This union established a foundation for global expansion that would span over ninety years.
The newly formed company moved quickly to secure markets abroad. During the 1930s, Unilever acquired the United Africa Company. This acquisition combined the African & Eastern Trade Corporation and the Royal Niger Company. It gave the firm control over trade interests in what is now Nigeria during the colonial era.
New ventures launched across Latin America as well. The business grew rapidly while Europe faced turmoil from World War II. Unilever could not reinvest its capital back into war-torn Europe. Instead, it acquired new businesses in the United Kingdom and the United States to keep growing.
By 1943, the company had secured T. J. Lipton and a majority stake in Frosted Foods. They also bought Batchelors Peas, one of the largest vegetable canners in the UK. In 1944, they added Pepsodent to their portfolio. These moves diversified their holdings beyond simple soaps and fats.
Unilever has made numerous corporate acquisitions since the mid-20th century. The strategy shifted from being a maker of products made of oils and fats to a broader consumer goods giant. In 1971, Unilever acquired the British-based Lipton Ltd from Allied Suppliers.
A major milestone arrived in 1984 when Unilever purchased Brooke Bond for £390 million. This was the company's first successful takeover. It brought PG Tips tea to their extensive list of brands. Two years later, they strengthened their position in the skin care market by acquiring Pond's in another hostile takeover.
The year 2000 saw massive spending on global brands. Unilever acquired Ben & Jerry's, SlimFast, and Hellmann's for £1.63 billion. They also bought Bestfoods for £13.4 billion. This deal added Knorr, Marmite, Bovril, and Hellmann's to their portfolio.
More recent purchases include Dollar Shave Club in 2016 for $1 billion. They also acquired Seventh Generation Inc for $700 million in September 2016. In June 2025, Unilever announced the acquisition of Dr. Squatch for $1.5 billion. These moves reflect a constant effort to adapt to changing consumer habits.
Alan Jope succeeded Paul Polman as chief executive officer in January 2019. Paul Polman had served as CEO for ten years before that. He had previously succeeded Patrick Cescau in 2009. The leadership team included Graeme Pitkethly as executive director and chief financial officer.
In November 2019, Nils Andersen replaced Chairman Marijn Dekkers. Dekkers stepped down after three years in the role. A new chapter began in January 2023 when Hein Schumacher became the new CEO effective July 2023. Schumacher later announced he would step down on the 31st of May 2025.
The legal structure of the company has evolved significantly over time. Unilever operates with a holding company called Unilever PLC and N.V. This Anglo-Dutch structure has its registered office at Port Sunlight in Merseyside, United Kingdom. Its head office sits at Unilever House in London, United Kingdom.
In 2018, the group announced plans to simplify this structure by centralizing operations in Rotterdam. They intended to abandon the London head office. However, shareholder concerns caused them to cancel the restructuring on the 5th of October 2018. By November 2020, they completed the unification of their Dutch arm into the PLC.
In 2014, Greenpeace criticized Unilever for causing deforestation through palm oil purchases. The environmental group had previously criticized the company in 2008 for buying from suppliers damaging Indonesia's rainforests. By 2008, Indonesia was losing 2% of its remaining rainforest each year.
A mercury scandal emerged in 2001 involving an Indian subsidiary. A thermometer factory operated by the unit in Kodaikanal dumped toxic waste into a densely populated town. More than 2 tonnes of mercury were discharged into the environment according to the company's own admissions. A 2011 Government of India study found many workers suffered from illnesses caused by workplace exposure.
Plastic pollution became another major point of contention. In 2019, BreakFreeFromPlastic cited Unilever as one of the top ten global plastic polluters. The company produces 6.4 billion unrecyclable plastic sachets per year. Despite this, they announced plans to halve non-recycled plastic packaging by 2025.
Unilever joined over 60 companies to sign a pact in 2020. They promised to use recycled plastic for all single-use products by 2025. Yet a Reuters report in June 2022 revealed lobbying efforts against bans on cosmetics in single-use sachets.
In July 2021, Ben & Jerry's announced plans to end sales in Occupied Palestinian Territory. This decision clashed with Unilever's board and led to political backlash. Florida governor Ron DeSantis placed Unilever on a list of Scrutinized Companies that Boycott Israel. He stated the state would no longer contract with the parent company if it did not stop engaging in the BDS movement.
The Russo-Ukrainian War created further ethical dilemmas. Following the invasion in February 2022, many Western companies curtailed operations in Russia. Unilever suspended imports from and exports to Russia but its Russian wing continued trading there. Between 2021 and 2022, profits in Russia doubled to 9.2 billion rubles.
Critics argued the company was directly helping to fund Russia's war effort. The Ukrainian National Agency on Corruption Prevention included Unilever in their list of war sponsors in July 2023. CEO Hein Schumacher later said operating in a constrained manner was the least bad option.
On the 10th of October 2024, Schumacher announced the sale of its Russian business to the Arnest Group. The deal included four factories and all business in Belarus.
Unilever's largest brands include Dove, Knorr, Axe, Hellmann's, Lifebuoy, Lux, Persil, Rexona, Sunlight, and Sunsilk. Thirteen brands account for over half of sales globally. These products span baby food, beauty items, cleaning agents, dairy products, ice cream, tea, and toothpaste.
Dove describes itself as dedicated to helping women develop a positive relationship with how they look. In September 2004, the brand created a Real Beauty campaign focusing on women of all shapes and colors. Later in 2007, this campaign expanded to include women of all ages.
Axe, known as Lynx in the United Kingdom, targets young men between the ages of 16 and 24. Its marketing suggests that women are instantly drawn to men who use the products. Unlike Dove's long-running beauty campaign, Lynx advertising often creates mini-series based around a singular product.
In 2012, Lynx's Clean Balls advert was banned. In 2011, the UK shower gel campaign faced similar restrictions. Both campaigns make stark comparisons between how women and their sexuality are portrayed in advertising and sales efficiency.
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Common questions
When did Unilever merge Margarine Unie and Lever Brothers?
Unilever merged Margarine Unie and Lever Brothers in 1930. This union created a new entity that blended the names of both parent companies into a single word.
Who is the current CEO of Unilever as of May 2025?
Hein Schumacher became the chief executive officer effective July 2023. He announced he would step down on the 31st of May 2025.
Where is the registered office of Unilever located?
Unilever operates with a holding company called Unilever PLC and N.V. The Anglo-Dutch structure has its registered office at Port Sunlight in Merseyside, United Kingdom.
What happened to Unilever's Russian business in October 2024?
On the 10th of October 2024, Schumacher announced the sale of its Russian business to the Arnest Group. The deal included four factories and all business in Belarus.
How many unrecyclable plastic sachets does Unilever produce per year?
The company produces 6.4 billion unrecyclable plastic sachets per year. In 2019, BreakFreeFromPlastic cited Unilever as one of the top ten global plastic polluters.