Unilever sells Unox and Zwan to Zwanenberg

Unilever has received a binding offer from Zwanenberg Food Group to acquire the Unox and Zwan brands. Both brands are icons in the Netherlands and Belgium, respectively.

The sale of these brands aligns with Unilever’s strategy to focus on fewer, larger brands that are more scalable in categories such as cooking aids, mini meals, and sauces. However, the meat and soup products of Unox and Zwan require specific supply chains and technologies, making them less suited to Unilever Foods’ broader portfolio. Products like Unox Noodles and Cup-a-Soup will remain with Unilever as they fit well within the mini meals category.

Zwanenberg further expands its portfolio

Zwanenberg views Unox and Zwan as valuable additions to its brand portfolio. According to CEO Sjoerd van der Laan, the acquisition perfectly aligns with the company’s ambitions. Zwanenberg previously acquired Unilever’s factory in Oss in 2018. In addition to this factory, the deal also includes the production of soup pouches in Unilever’s factory in Poznan.

Future steps and conditions

The deal, for which financial details remain undisclosed, is expected to be completed in 2025. This is subject to standard conditions, regulatory approvals, and consultation processes. Both Unilever and Zwanenberg anticipate that this move will strengthen the brands and enhance their competitiveness in the market.