Unilever to Acquire Sara Lee's Personal Care Business for €1.275 billion

The acquisition will strengthen Unilever’s leadership positions overall in Western Europe. In addition, there is significant potential to build these brands in developing and emerging markets, which already generate approximately 15% of their annual sales.

28 Sep 2009 --- Unilever has made a binding offer to acquire the Personal Care business of the Sara Lee Corporation for €1.275 billion in cash. The transaction is subject to regulatory approval and consultation with European employee works councils. The Sara Lee brands generated annual sales in excess of €750 million with an EBITDA of €128 million for the year ending June 2009.

Paul Polman, CEO of Unilever said: “Personal Care is a strategic category and a key growth driver for Unilever. This transaction builds on our portfolio in Western Europe and also in Asia. The Sara Lee brands enjoy strong consumer recognition, offer significant growth potential and are an excellent fit with Unilever’s existing business.”

Vindi Banga, President Foods, Home & Personal Care added: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to acquire such a strong stable of brands, which will help build on our global leadership positions in Skin Cleansing and Deodorants. They are a perfect complement to Unilever’s existing portfolio of brands like Dove, Axe and Rexona.”

The acquisition will strengthen Unilever’s leadership positions overall in Western Europe. In addition, there is significant potential to build these brands in developing and emerging markets, which already generate approximately 15% of their annual sales.

Sara Lee said it has "agreed to accept the binding offer upon satisfaction of certain conditions," including consultation with employee works councils in Europe.

It will use the proceeds from the sale to "invest for growth in our core businesses and to repurchase stock." Sara Lee said its board authorized a buyback program of an additional $1 billion.

Sara Lee said it also has received "significant interest" for the remainder of its household business and is continuing to pursue options for the operations, which include its air care, shoe care, insecticides and non-European cleaning brands.

The transaction is expected to close by 2010.