Skip to main content
Home

Main navigation

  • Top stories
  • Health
  • Crime
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Tech
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Weird
  • 1-1-2
Image
Blue Band
Blue Band - Credit: Photo: Patsim / Wikimedia Commons
Business
Unilever
Rotterdam
margarine
Unilever margarine branch
Blue Band
Becel
Zeeuws Meisje
Paul Polman
Friday, 7 April 2017 - 08:09
Share this:
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • whatsapp
  • reddit

Unilever considers dropping traditional Dutch margarine brands Becel, Blue Band

While Unilever immediately rejected a recent takeover bid by American competitor Kraft Heinz, it seems their shareholders were less dismissive. They think that the British-Dutch company can do better and that changes should be made, NOS reports. On Thursday CEO Paul Polman announced that Unilever is considering getting rid of its margarine branch.

That means that traditional Dutch brands like Becel, Blue Band and Zeeuws Meisje may soon be a thing of the past, according to the broadcaster. Margarine has been part of the Unilever range since the company was established in 1930. Three years ago the product was placed in a separate business unit. And now it may be sold.

In addition to selling the margarine branch, the company also announced that it wants to get rid of its dual nationality. Unilever is an British-Dutch company, with headquarters in Rotterdam and London. Which headquarters will go will become clear before the end of the year.

Analyst Joost van Beek from Theodoor Gilissen thinks that the Rotterdam headquarters has a better chance of surviving. "Especially since we have very many jobs and research here. The Brexit obviously also plays a role and tax aspects"

Outside the margarine factory in Rotterdam, a group of shocked employees are smoking a cigarette. "What disappoints us tremendously is that we had to hear the news this morning in the press and weren't told anything in the workplace. We obviously want to know what this means for us", the oldest worker said to NOS. "But our leaders know nothing." "Or say they know nothing", another adds.

"It all started here. I've worked here for 37 years myself", the first employee continues. "And now we feel dismissed. We are apparently worth nothing more than this paper coffee cup."

Follow us:

Latest stories

  • Hospitals vary widely in when they refer babies to pediatricians
  • The Netherlands has given Ukraine over €1 billion in military aid alone
  • The Netherlands and Morocco look to expand extradition agreement
  • Confidence in Dutch government & central bank has fallen sharply
  • Air France-KLM, Lufthansa could acquire bankrupt Flybe to access landing slots
  • Dutch more worried about natural disasters; Half think country will become uninhabitable

Top stories

  • Netherlands to send a search & rescue team to Turkey after 7.8 magnitude earthquake
  • Dutch employers becoming less critical during hiring process
  • Multiple writers receive threats after defending Pim Lammers, "Unacceptable": Dutch PM
  • Woman killed, 10 hurt in several stabbing incidents over the weekend
  • Regional bus, train staff start 5-day strike; Some Arriva trains running, NS unaffected
  • Police arrest suspect for fatal fire in Arnhem

© 2012-2023, NL Times, All rights reserved.

Footer menu

  • Privacy
  • Contact
  • Partner content