Invested in Israel:

§         Unilever plc (NYSE:UL; LSE; XETRA:ULVR), is an Anglo-Dutch concern, operating internationally in food, , nutrition, ,home  and personal care.1938, Unilever opened its first factory in Haifa to manufacture Blue Band products.

§         1947, Telma was established with mayonnaise & soup products 

§         1986, Unilever entered the chocolate market by establishing the Vered HaGalil chocolate factory.

§         1996, Unilever acquired 60% of the shares of Vitco Israel at a consideration of $13 million, and changed the name to Lever.

§         1997, Unilever took controlling interest in Strauss Ice Cream.

§         Unilever invests about $30 million a year in Israel, not including marketing.

Highlights:

§         Unilever Israel offers a wide range of popular brands and products including Skippy, Dove, Strauss Ice Cream, Telma, Knorr, LUX, Hellmann’s, Cif, Badin, Mazola, Pinuk, Blue Band, Lipton, Clik, and Beigal & Beigal.

§         1965, with exports sold in 25 countries, the Unilever subsidiary in Israel was awarded “Outstanding Exporter of the Year”. 

§         Unilever maintains 1,900 employees in Israel.

Returns:

§         Unilever Israel posted an operating profit of $32 million on $319 million* revenue in 2003 and enjoyed 4% growth in 2004.

*(Exchange rate: 1 USD = 4.38039 NIS 2/7/05)

** (Exchange rate: 1 USD = 4.36720 NIS 2/7/05)