UNILEVER

Helping people get more out of life

In the 1890s, William Hesketh Lever, founder of Lever Bros, wrote down his ideas for Sunlight Soap his revolutionary new product that helped popularise cleanliness and hygiene in Victorian England. It was 'to make cleanliness commonplace; to lessen work for women; to foster health and contribute to personal attractiveness, that life may be more enjoyable and rewarding for the people who use our products'. This was long before the phrase 'Corporate Mission' had been invented, but these ideas have stayed at the heart of our business. Even if their language - and the notion of only women doing housework has become outdated. In a history that now crosses three centuries, Unilever's success has been influenced by the major events of the day economic boom, depression, world wars, changing consumer lifestyles and advances in technology. And throughout we've created products that help people get more out of life cutting the time spent on household chores, improving nutrition, enabling people to enjoy food and take care of their homes, their clothes and themselves.

Balancing profit with responsible corporate behaviour

In the late 19th century the businesses that would later become Unilever were among the most philanthropic of their time. They set up projects to improve the lot of their workers and created products with a positive social impact, making hygiene and personal care commonplace and improving nutrition through adding vitamins to foods that were already daily staples. Today, Unilever still believes that success means acting with 'the highest standards of corporate behaviour towards our employees, consumers and the societies and world in which we live'. Over the years we've launched or participated in an ever-growing range of initiatives to source sustainable supplies of raw materials, protect environments, support local communities and much more. Through this timeline you'll see how our brand portfolio has evolved. At the beginning of the 21st century, our Path to Growth strategy focused us on global high-potential brands and our Vitality mission is taking us into a new phase of development. More than ever, our brands are helping people 'feel good, look good and get more out of life' a sentiment close to Lord Leverhulme's heart over a hundred years ago.

Timeline 19th century 1900s

Although Unilever wasn't formed until 1930, the companies that joined forces to create the business we know today were already well established before the start of the 20th century. Unilever's founding companies produced products made of oils and fats, principally soap and margarine. At the beginning of the 20th century their expansion nearly outstrips the supply of raw materials. Tough economic conditions and the First World War make trading difficult for everyone, so many businesses form trade associations to protect their shared interests. With businesses expanding fast, companies set up negotiations intending to stop others producing the same types of products. But instead they agree to merge and so Unilever is created. Unilever's first decade is no easy ride: it starts with the Great Depression and ends with the Second World War. But while the business rationalises operations, it also continues to diversify. Unilever's operations around the world begin to fragment, but the business continues to expand further into the foods market and increase investment in research and development. Business booms as new technology and the European Economic Community lead to rising standards of living in the West, while new markets open up in emerging economies around the globe. As the world economy expands, so does Unilever and it sets about developing new products, entering new markets and running a highly ambitious acquisition programme. Hard economic conditions and high inflation make the 70s a tough time for everyone, but things are particularly difficult in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector as the big retailers start to flex their muscles. Unilever is now one of the world's biggest companies, but takes the decision to focus its portfolio, and rationalise its businesses to focus on core products and brands. The business expands into Central and Eastern Europe and further sharpens its focus on fewer product categories, leading to the sale or withdrawal of two-thirds of its brands. The decade starts with the launch of Path to Growth, a five-year strategic plan,

1910s

1920s

1930s

1940s

1950s

1960s

1970s

1980s

1990s

The 21st

century

and in 2004 further sharpens its focus on the needs of 21st century consumers with its Vitality mission.

HISTORY OF UNILEVER
William Hesketh Lever founded lever brothers in 1885. Lever introduced sunlight, the worlds first packaged branded laundry soap. Soon, Lever established soap factories in Europe, North America, Australia and the Far East; He also set up oils mills in the UK and Australia. After 1917, Lever started acquiring fish, canned goods, meat, and ice cram businesses. In 1872, two Dutchmen, Jurgens and Van Der Bergh had ventured into the margarine business, Despite of fierce competition, the businesses of these two Dutchmen grew rapidly. In 1927, they decided to merge to form two companies, Margarine Unie NV, based in the Netherlands and Margarine Union Ltd. Based in the UK. In 1929, Margarine Unie and lever brothers merged to form Unilever. For tax reasons, they decided to retain two separate entities, Unilever PLC (LONDON) and Unilever (ROTTERDAM). In 1930s and 1940s, Unilever continued to expand its operations through the acquisition of US companies, Thomas J. Lipton (1937) and Pepsodent (1944). Unilevers competitive position in the US eroded rapidly with launch of tide, a synthetic detergent, by arch rival Procter and Gamble (P&G) in 1946. Meanwhile, Unilever continued to prosper in Europe, aided by a post war boom, the increasing popularity of both margarine and personal care products and new detergent technologies. Through the 1970s, the nature of Unilever business underwent a significant change, both in terms of geography and products. By 1980, soaps and edible fats accounted for only 40% of the turnover (90% in 1930). On the other hand, Frozen foods, Ice cream, packaged soups, tea and personal products had grown in importance. By this time, the net profit contribution of countries outside Europe had increased to 40% (20% in 1930) due to the expansion of operations in America, Africa and Asia. Unilever had expanded of overseas establishing a presence in many important markets before World War II. Established in 1926, was given the responsibility of managing international business activities. The committee provided guidance, collected data and monitored performances, but generally left day management to the country units. Due to the tariff and non tariff barriers, local manufacturing became a compelling need in many markets. Catering to the different tastes in different markets was also an important consideration. As a result, even though Unilever had many fierce competitions in business, they still manage to be successful because they give quality products to satisfy their customers, and they still more successful in many years to come.

Full Product Range Of Unilever Bouillons, Stocks and Seasonings Dairy Cream Alternatives, Desserts and Jif Gravy and Jus Marmite and Bovril Mayonnaise, Dressings and Condiments Pasta and Accompaniments Sauces: Dehydrated Sauces: Pastes Sauces: Ready to Use and Base Bars Snacks, Pizza and Mini drinks Soups Spreads and Cooking Fats Tea Vending

PERSONAL CARE BRANDS

Axe Dove Lifebuoy Lux Pond's Rexona Signal, Close Up Sunsilk Vaseline

FOOD BRANDS

Becel, Flora Bertolli Blue Band, Rama Heartbrand Hellmann's, Amora Knorr Lipton SlimFast

HOME CARE BRANDS

Cif Comfort Domestos Omo Radiant Sunlight Surf

MISSION
Our mission is to add Vitality to life. We meet everyday needs for nutrition, hygiene and personal care with brands that help people look good, feel good and get more out of life.

PURPOSE AND PRINCIPLES

Our corporate purpose states that to succeed requires "the highest standards of corporate behaviour towards everyone we work with, the communities we touch, and the environment on which we have an impact." Always working with integrity Positive impact Continuous commitment Setting out our aspirations Working with others

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Chairman: Micheal Treschow Vice Chairman: The Lord Simon of Highbury CBE Executive Directors Group Chief Executive: Patrick Cescau President Europe: Kees -van-der Graaf President Home and Personal Care: Ralph Kugler Chief Financial Officer: James Lawrence* There are 15 other non- executive directors of Unilever