Unilever News
11 articles
Ben & Jerry’s co-founder quits after being ‘silenced’ by Unilever
Ben & Jerrys co-founder Jerry Greenfield has resigned from the company, citing a loss of independence and censorship by parent company Unilever. Greenfield expressed disappointment over the companys inability to speak out on social issues, which was a key part of its governance structure. The resignation follows tensions between Ben & Jerrys and Unilever, particularly over the ice cream brands support for Palestine. This has led to legal disputes and a drop in Unilevers share price. Despite being owned by Unilever since 2000, Ben & Jerrys has maintained an independent board to campaign on social issues.
Management Changes
Ben explains why Jerry quit Ben & Jerry’s
Ben & Jerrys co-founder Jerry Greenfield resigned due to conflicts with parent company Unilever, which he accused of restricting the brands ability to engage in social and political causes. This conflict has been ongoing, with tensions rising over Ben & Jerrys decision to pull operations from Israel, which Unilever overruled. Despite Greenfields departure, co-founder Ben Cohen remains to fight for the companys independence and social mission. Ben & Jerrys is being spun off into a new entity, The Magnum Ice Cream Company, expected to be publicly traded in November. The situation highlights the ongoing struggle between maintaining the brands social mission and the corporate interests of Unilever.
Management ChangesAcquired-byPublic Trading
Ben & Jerry’s calls for independence post Unilever’s ice cream spin-off
The article discusses the planned spin-off of The Magnum Ice Cream Company (TMICC) from Unilever, set for mid-November. Ben & Jerrys founders have expressed concerns over Unilevers handling of their brand, urging for its independence to pursue its social mission. Despite these concerns, TMICC will include Ben & Jerrys and other global brands like Solero and Cornetto. Unilever will retain a 20% stake in TMICC, which will be gradually reduced. The separation is expected to incur €800m in costs, with TMICC aiming for a 3-5% annual organic growth from 2026. The spin-off positions TMICC as a major player in the global ice cream market.
Acquired-byPublic Trading
Ben & Jerry to Unilever: This is not the Ben & Jerry’s that we founded
Ben & Jerrys cofounders, Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, are advocating for the brands independence from Unilever, which acquired it in 2000. They argue that Unilever has restricted the brands social mission, particularly on issues like social justice and political criticism. The cofounders have written an open letter urging the Magnum Ice Cream Company board, which is being spun off from Unilever, to allow Ben & Jerry’s to operate independently. Unilever, however, maintains that Ben & Jerry’s is an integral part of Magnum and is not for sale. The ongoing disputes include management changes and restrictions on the brands public statements.
Acquired-byManagement Changes
Unilever names Jochanan Senf as new Ben & Jerry’s CEO
Unilever has appointed Jochanan Senf as the CEO of Ben & Jerry’s following the exit of former CEO Dave Stever. Stever was reportedly ousted for defending the company’s social activism, leading to tensions between Unilever and Ben & Jerry’s independent board. The board accused Unilever of violating an agreement protecting its independence. Unilever plans to spin off its ice-cream business, which will be listed in Amsterdam, London, and New York. The new company will be called The Magnum Ice Cream Company. The ongoing disputes highlight challenges in balancing corporate control and social activism within the subsidiary.
Management ChangesAcquisition
Ben & Jerry’s Calls Gaza Conflict a Genocide, Putting Unilever in a Tough Spot
Ben & Jerry’s, a brand under Unilever, has called the Gaza conflict a genocide, which has placed Unilever in a challenging position. The independent board of Ben & Jerry’s plans to release a statement showing solidarity with protesters against the deaths of Palestinians in Gaza. This move could potentially impact Unilever negatively due to the controversial nature of the statement. The article highlights the tension between Ben & Jerry’s activism and Unilever’s corporate stance.
Unilever’s Plan to Revive Growth Underwhelms Investors
Unilever Plc has announced a new CFO and changes to division heads as part of a strategy to revive the companys market share, which has hit a record low. The company will focus investment on its top 30 brands, which account for around three-quarters of revenue, and pare back other parts of its portfolio. The company also plans to sell off non-core products, including a stake in Dollar Shave Club. The changes come after criticism of previous CEO Alan Jopes failed attempt to buy GSK Plc’s former consumer health business and his emphasis on the social purpose of Unilever’s brands.
Management ChangesInvestmentExpand
Unilever accused of ‘sponsoring war’ over Russia sales
Unilever has been named an international sponsor of war by the Ukrainian government, accusing the company of contributing hundreds of millions in tax revenues to a state which is killing civilians. The consumer goods giant, known for its ethical stances, has faced criticism from investors in the past. Activists from the Ukraine Solidarity Project installed a billboard outside Unilevers London headquarters, showing wounded Ukrainian soldiers in the style of the companys Dove adverts. Unilevers new CEO, Hein Schumacher, began his first day in the post. The company has not commented on the accusations.
CustomersPartners
Unilever Israel puts up ice cream prices
Unilever Israel has announced a price increase of up to 4% on its ice cream products, just three months after reducing the size of leading products that it markets, thereby raising their real price. The company attributes its price increases to an ongoing increase in prices of production inputs. Unilever is raising its prices in the winter, when consumption of ice cream tends to be lower. The company has a 4.3% market share in consumer products sales in Israel. Unilevers sales totaled NIS 1.9 billion in the first eleven months of 2019, a mere 0.6% more than in the corresponding period in 2018.
Customers
Top awards for startups BwareIT, AseptoRay, Credithood
Three Israeli startups, AseptoRay, BwareIT, and Credithood, recently won major awards that will help them make their way to the market. AseptoRay won first place in the Cleantech Open Global Ideas program for its proprietary technology to deactivate bacteria in all liquids. BwareIT won a $50,000 first-place prize in the Unilever Innovation Foundry “Ideas for Life” competition for its SmartH2O home water meter. Credithood received $25,000 as the top winner in the 2015 Israeli Advanced Technology Industries (IATI) & MasterCard Israel Technology Innovation awards for its crowdfunding and customer loyalty platform. The awards and recognition provide growth-positive impact for the companies.
Investment
Unilever halts Shufersal supplies
Israeli supermarket chain Shufersal has taken Unilever products off its shelves due to a commercial dispute over reduced promotions for the upcoming holiday season. Unilever threatened to completely halt supplying its products if they were not returned to stock. The dispute comes ahead of the busy Rosh Hashana shopping season.
Customers