FORM 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
REPORT OF FOREIGN ISSUER
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the month of February 2006
UNILEVER PLC
(Translation of registrant's name into English)
UNILEVER HOUSE, BLACKFRIARS, LONDON, ENGLAND
(Address of principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports
under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F..X.. Form 40-F.....
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper
as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):_____
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper
as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):_____
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information
contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes ..... No .X..
If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant
in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82- _______
Exhibit 99 attached hereto is incorporated herein by reference.
Signatures
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
UNILEVER PLC
/S/ S G WILLIAMS
By S G WILLIAMS
SECRETARY
Date: February 09, 2006
EXHIBIT INDEX
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EXHIBIT NUMBER EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION
99 Notice to London Stock Exchange dated
09 February 2006 - Unilever Frozen Foods
Exhibit 99
UNILEVER TO DIVEST MAJORITY OF
EUROPEAN FROZEN FOOD BUSINESS
ITALIAN FROZEN FOODS BUSINESS RETAINED
Unilever today announced that it had decided to put the majority of its Frozen
Foods businesses in Europe up for sale. It decided to retain its Frozen Food
operations in Italy.
Patrick Cescau, Group Chief Executive, said: "Deciding to put the majority of
our European Frozen Food business up for sale has been a tough call. It has been
a successful business for us over many years, we've built some great brands for
consumers with memorable advertising, and they've created real value for our
shareholders.
"However, although we have made great progress in increasing profitability in
recent years growth has been harder to come by. After an exhaustive review we
have decided that the best way for us to create value is by selling the majority
of the European Frozen Food businesses."
Unilever's review, which was announced in September 2005, looked at all the
possibilities for the business. The review concluded that a strategy to grow the
businesses would not deliver satisfactory value for Unilever.
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Unilever concluded that its great frozen food brands could prosper better under
other ownership and that divestment was the best option. It also concluded that
now was a good time to consider divestment as it would be likely to lead the
expected future consolidation in the frozen food sector.
The Italian Frozen Food business will continue to operate as part of the
Unilever business.
Patrick Cescau said: "We believe it is right to retain the Italian Frozen Food
business because it is inherently an attractive business with good growth
prospects. It has a good track record, has strong leadership positions and is
strategically important in a number of ways. It is our biggest single business
in Italy and its retention plays an important role in future trade relations in
that country. It is also an important source of innovation and technology in the
attractive frozen meals segment that is proving so successful in the US."
Over time Unilever has bought and sold many businesses and factories and has
built up vast experience of managing people issues both sensitively and
professionally. It is acutely aware of the people issues and is committed to
working with the relevant employee representatives in the countries affected.
Unilever's intention is to sell the business if the price is right, in whole or
in part, as going concerns.
-ENDS-
February 9, 2006
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Notes to Editors:
- The intended sale includes the total frozen food portfolio under the
well-known Iglo and Birds Eye brands
- Unilever has a frozen foods portfolio in 11 countries: Austria, Belgium,
France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and
the United Kingdom
- There are five sourcing units:
Cisterna - Italy
Reken & Bremerhaven - Germany
Lowestoft & Hull - UK
- Total turnover is approximately EUR2 billion
- The Bertolli branded frozen side dishes business in the USA will be
continued
- Around 3,500 people work in this area across Europe, excluding Italy
- The decision does not affect Ice cream which is a strategic priority for
Unilever and will be continued
Press contacts:
UK
Trevor Gorin
Head of UK Media Relations +44 20 7822 6010
Europe
Tanno Massar
Director, European Media Relations +31 10 217 4844