Unilever Acquires Talenti® Gelato & Sorbetto

Unilever today announced that it has acquired Talenti® Gelato & Sorbetto. Minneapolis-based Talenti, which was founded in 2003, has grown into the best selling packaged gelato in the United States. Talenti products are made from the finest ingredients, using artisanal methods, and packaged in a unique, clear and reusable plastic jar. Talenti is expected to have more than $120 million in turnover in 2014. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Talenti Pint Family (Photo: Business Wire)

With its 30 gelato and sorbetto flavors – such as Sea Salt Caramel and Sicilian Pistachio – the Talenti acquisition brings a complementary packaged gelato portfolio to Unilever’s ice cream category, alongside the company’s existing iconic brands such as Ben & Jerry’s, Breyers, Fruttare, Good Humor , Klondike, Magnum and Popsicle.

“Welcoming Talenti to the Unilever family marks another step in our North America portfolio transformation,” said Kees Kruythoff, President of Unilever North America. “The acquisition widens Unilever’s position in the fast-growing gelato market with its artisanal offerings and its clear, distinct and recyclable packaging. We are looking forward to growing and developing this fantastic brand further.”

Kevin Havelock, President Refreshment Category, Unilever, said, “Talenti’s gelatos and sorbettos complement Unilever’s iconic portfolio of packaged ice cream. As the gelato category continues to gain popularity we are excited to welcome the fast-growing Talenti brand.”

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT

This announcement may contain forward-looking statements, including ‘forward-looking statements’ within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as ‘will’, ‘aim’, ‘expects’, ‘anticipates’, ‘intends’, ‘looks’, ‘believes’, ‘vision’, or the negative of these terms and other similar expressions of future performance or results, and their negatives, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon current expectations and assumptions regarding anticipated developments and other factors affecting the Group. They are not historical facts, nor are they guarantees of future performance.

Because these forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, there are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Among other risks and uncertainties, the material or principal factors which cause actual results to differ materially are: Unilever’s global brands not meeting consumer preferences; Unilever’s ability to innovate and remain competitive; Unilever’s investment choices in its portfolio management; inability to find sustainable solutions to support long-term growth; customer relationships; the recruitment and retention of talented employees; disruptions in our supply chain; the cost of raw materials and commodities; the production of safe and high quality products; secure and reliable IT infrastructure; successful execution of acquisitions, divestitures and business transformation projects; economic and political risks and natural disasters; financial risks; failure to meet high and ethical standards; and managing regulatory, tax and legal matters. Further details of potential risks and uncertainties affecting the Group are described in the Group’s filings with the London Stock Exchange, Euronext Amsterdam and the US Securities and Exchange Commission, including in the Group’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2013 and the Annual Report and Accounts 2013. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this announcement. Except as required by any applicable law or regulation, the Group expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the Group’s expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

About Unilever:

Unilever is one of the world’s leading suppliers of Food, Home and Personal Care products with sales in over 190 countries. We work with 174,000 colleagues around the world and generated annual sales of €49.8 billion in 2013. Over half of our company’s footprint is in the faster growing developing and emerging markets (57% in 2013). Working to create a better future every day, we help people feel good, look good and get more out of life. Our portfolio includes some of the world’s best known brands, 14 of which - Knorr, Persil / Omo, Dove, Sunsilk, Hellmann’s, Surf, Lipton, Rexona / Sure, Wall’s ice cream, Lux, Flora / Becel, Rama / Blue Band, Magnum and Axe / Lynx - now generate a turnover of €1 billion or more.

Our ambition is to double the size of our business, whilst reducing our overall environmental footprint (including sourcing, consumer use and disposal) and increasing our positive social impact. We are committed to helping more than a billion people take action to improve their health and well-being, sourcing all our agricultural raw materials sustainably by 2020, and decoupling our growth from our environmental impact. Supporting our three big goals, we have defined nine commitments, underpinned by targets encompassing social, environmental and economic areas. See more on the Unilever Sustainable Living Plan at www.unilever.com/sustainable-living/.

Unilever has been ranked number one in their sector in the 2014 Dow Jones Sustainability Index. We are included in the FTSE4Good Index Series and attained a top environmental score of 5, leading to inclusion in the FTSE4Good Environmental Leaders Europe 40 Index. Unilever has been named sector leader of the CDP’s Forests programme for three consecutive years, and in 2014 led the list of Global Corporate Sustainability Leaders in the GlobeScan/SustainAbility annual survey - for the fourth year running. In 2014 Unilever was named in LinkedIn’s Top 3 most sought-after employers in all sectors for the second year running, and also LinkedIn’s No. 1 most sought-after FMCG employer worldwide.

For more information about Unilever and its brands, please visit www.unilever.com.

For more information about Talenti, please visit www.talentigelato.com.

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