China Brand Value Network learned that recently, Unilever, a world-famous consumer goods brand, announced that it would split off its ice cream business, set up an independent entity, and might be listed by the end of 2025. Other media reports said that large international financial institutions have approached it to seek to acquire the divested business.

It is understood that on March 19, local time, Unilever's CEO Hein Schumacher announced the divestiture plan, in which the jobs of 7,500 people would be affected. According to Hein Schumacher, the ice cream business will be spun off into a separate company and listed as the most likely option, and if the plan is confirmed, the destination will be determined within the next 18 months.

Unilever's ice cream business boasts brands such as Wall's, Magnum and Ben & Jerry's. Wall's has a long history of producing ice cream, and in 1993, Wall's officially entered China and has always maintained a leading position in the ice cream industry by creating products with excellent technology, strict quality, and innovative spirit. Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Company, the third largest ice cream company in the United States, has set itself three missions: to produce, distribute and sell the highest quality all-natural ice cream and related products.

According to a report by the Financial Times, financial giants such as Morgan Stanley and JPMorgan Chase have shown interest in Unilever's ice cream business and are in preliminary communication with it. According to people familiar with the matter, the business is valued at between €10 billion and €15 billion, and Barclays estimates that the ice cream division could be worth as much as €17 billion. Currently, Unilever's ice cream division accounts for around 16% of sales.

 ‘’Regardless of any new ownership structure, Ben & Jerry's remains committed to advancing our three-part mission and is well-positioned to continue to grow our global company,‘’ Ben & Jerry's reportedly said in a statement on Wednesday.

Unilever has sold its food business over the past few years, selling its spreads, including margarine, to KKR in 2017 for $7 billion, and its tea business to CVC in 2021 for €4.5 billion. It is also reported that CVC is also interested in acquiring Unilever's ice cream business.

After the abandonment of the ice cream division, Unilever will have four businesses: Beauty & Wellness, Personal Care, Home Care and Nutrition.

In the ‘’（Daguan · Keweiwei） The 3rd World Brand Value Top 900‘’list released on March 18, 2023, Unilever's brand value is CNY 555.931 billion, ranking 36th.

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作者：Michael