Unilever agree deal to sell Unox and Zwan brands to Zwanenenberg food group

Unilever will sell off the Unox and Zwan brands to the Zwanenberg Food Group, known mainly for its meat products. Financial terms were not disclosed when Unilever made the announcement on Wednesday. A day earlier it confirmed it was selling off the Conimex brand to food and beverage firm Paulig.

The deal for the Unox and Zwan brands is expected to be completed next year. The two brands have been part of the Unilever group for nearly a hundred years, the company said.

Zwanenberg also wants to take over Unilever’s production lines for soups which are distributed in pouches. Earlier, the Almelo-based company already acquired a Unox factory in Oss.

Unox is perhaps best known for its smoked sausages. “Unox is a beloved and iconic brand in the Netherlands and the decision to part with it has not been easy,” said Heiko Schipper, head of Unilever’s food division.

“The association with Dutch winter activities, such as the New Year’s Dive in Scheveningen and ice skating events, has cemented its place in Dutch culture. In Belgium, Zwan is associated with comfort and nostalgia and with quick and easy meals, making it a beloved part of daily Belgian life.”

According to Unilever, the meat and soup products from Unox and Zwan require a specific supply chain, which makes them “less scalable within the broader food portfolio.” Unox Noodles and Cup-a-Soup products will remain as part of the current Unilever branch.

Zwanenberg has been producing on behalf of both Unox and Zwan for years. “After the takeover of the Unilever factory in Oss in 2018, acquiring Unox and Zwan is a nice addition that fits perfectly with our ambitions,” says CEO Sjoerd van der Laan. In addition to meat products, the company also produces snacks, soups, sauces and vegetarian products.

The Finish company Paulig will take over Conimex for an undisclosed fee, it was announced on Tuesday. Conimex is known for its range of meal ingredients, kroepoek, soups, sauces and herbs.

Conimex has been a part of Unilever’s portfolio since 2000 and is almost 100 years old. Paulig is known for brands like Santa Maria, Risenta, Poco Loco, and Zanuy.

Unilever wants to focus on its most important brands like Knorr, Hellman’s and Dove. Unilever has around 400 brands worldwide. Unilever announced that it wanted to spin off its ice cream division last March, with brands such as Ben & Jerry's, Magnum and Cornetto.

British news company Sky News reported last month that the multinational also wants to sell its subsidiary brand De Vegetarische Slager.