Brandtree

When did Unilever buy and sell its brands?

Unilever has completed 4 recorded acquisitions and 2 divestitures or spin-offs, spanning 2000 to 2025.

DateTypeAssetsCounterpartyValue
Dec 2025Spin-offBen & Jerry's, Magnum, Wall's and Cornetto +10The Magnum Ice Cream Company—
Jul 2018DivestitureFlora, Becel, Country Crock and I Can't Believe It's Not Butter! +3KKR€6.83bn
May 2011AcquisitionTRESemmé, VO5, Simple and St. Ives +1Alberto Culver$3.7bn
Oct 2000AcquisitionHellmann's, Knorr and MaizenaBestfoods$24.3bn
Aug 2000AcquisitionBen & Jerry'sBen & Jerry's Homemade—
Mar 2000AcquisitionColman's——

2025

Spin-off closed

Ben & Jerry's, Magnum, Wall's, Cornetto, Breyers, Talenti, Yasso, Popsicle, Klondike, Twister, Carte d'Or, Viennetta, Solero and Calippo separated from Unilever

Unilever separated its ice cream business as The Magnum Ice Cream Company, whose shares were admitted to trading on Euronext Amsterdam, the London Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange on 8 December 2025. Unilever shareholders received shares in the new company as a demerger dividend, and Unilever retained a 19.9% stake at admission.

Value
—
Seller
Unilever
Regulatory
None recorded

2018

Divestiture closed

KKR acquires Flora, Becel, Country Crock, I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!, Rama, Blue Band and ProActiv

Unilever sold its spreads business to KKR, which established it as a standalone company named Upfield. Unilever had been trying to exit margarine for years as consumption declined, and the sale followed its rejection of a takeover approach from Kraft Heinz that had prompted a strategic review.

Value
€6.83bn
Buyer
KKR
Seller
Unilever
Regulatory
None recorded

2011

2000

Acquisition closed

Unilever acquires Ben & Jerry's

Unilever's subsidiary Conopco acquired Ben & Jerry's Homemade in a two-step transaction: a cash tender offer at $43.60 per share through Vermont All Natural Expansion Company, followed by a back-end merger. The merger agreement created an independent board with a continuing social mission mandate.

Value
—
Regulatory
None recorded
Acquisition closed

Unilever acquires Colman's

Unilever acquired the French condiments group Amora-Maille, adding mustard and sauce brands in France. The European Commission cleared the transaction subject to commitments.

Value
—
Seller
—

Brands Unilever once owned

Ownership recorded here as having ended, whether or not a deal record with a filing behind it exists for the transfer.

BrandOwned fromUntilOwner today
Wall's — Dec 2025 The Magnum Ice Cream Company
Cornetto — Dec 2025 The Magnum Ice Cream Company
Breyers — Dec 2025 The Magnum Ice Cream Company
Popsicle — Dec 2025 The Magnum Ice Cream Company
Klondike — Dec 2025 The Magnum Ice Cream Company
Twister — Dec 2025 The Magnum Ice Cream Company
Carte d'Or — Dec 2025 The Magnum Ice Cream Company
Viennetta — Dec 2025 The Magnum Ice Cream Company
Solero — Dec 2025 The Magnum Ice Cream Company
Calippo — Dec 2025 The Magnum Ice Cream Company
Magnum Jan 1989 Dec 2025 The Magnum Ice Cream Company
Ben & Jerry's Aug 2000 Dec 2025 The Magnum Ice Cream Company
Talenti Jan 2014 Dec 2025 The Magnum Ice Cream Company
Yasso Jan 2023 Dec 2025 The Magnum Ice Cream Company
Blue Band Jan 1923 Jul 2018 KKR
Rama Jan 1924 Jul 2018 KKR
Becel Jan 1960 Jul 2018 KKR
Flora Jan 1964 Jul 2018 KKR
Country Crock Jan 1981 Jul 2018 KKR
I Can't Believe It's Not Butter! Jan 1986 Jul 2018 KKR
ProActiv Jan 1999 Jul 2018 KKR
Skippy Oct 2000 Jan 2013 Hormel Foods
Lawry's Oct 2000 Jul 2008 McCormick