Unilever Belgium and Unilever Netherlands announce planned integration

Unilever today announced its intention to merge its country organisations in Belgium and the Netherlands to form a newUnilever Benelux organisation. At the same time, Unilever wants to reduce its indirect costs to a competitive level.

The aim of the proposed integration is to boost competitive strength in the two countries. Both countries have good growth figures. However, for the long-term competitive position of Unilever in both Belgium and the Netherlands it is important to be able to achieve growth with a more competitive cost structure.

The integration will affect the marketing and sales organisations, including the related shared services departments, including finance, HR, supply chain, communication and legal in Belgium and the Netherlands. The intention is that a sales and customer service organisation, which will be supported by the Benelux organisation, will be retained in both countries.

Unilever expects that a total of around 340 jobs will be discontinued in Belgiumand the Netherlands combined. This means a possible loss of about 200 jobs in Belgium and about 140 jobs in the Netherlands. Unilever does not rule out forced redundancies.

The new Benelux organisation will be located in Belgium (Brussels) and the Netherlands (Rotterdam). The core of the Benelux organisation is expected to be in Rotterdam. The intention is to appoint Harry Brouwer, currently Chairman of Unilever Nederland B.V., as Chairman of the new Benelux organisation.

In the coming period the planned integration will be worked out in more detail and discussed with the works councils and the trade unions. After completion of the procedures with the social partners it will be possible to start with the implementation. As is usual in Unilever, the employees involved in this proposed change process will be treated with respect.

Unilever currently employs a total of 4,300 people in the Netherlands. Apart from in the departments mentioned above, they also work in the sourcing units, the European departments located in Rotterdam, Unilever Research & Development in Vlaardingen, Unilever N.V.’s global Corporate Centre in Rotterdam and Foodsolutions.

For further information, please contact:

Unilever Nederland
Minke Bijl, press officer
press-office.rotterdam@unilever.com
Tel.: +31 (0)10-217 4844 (08.30 until 17.30)
Tel.: +31 (0)10-217 4000 (17.30 until 08.30)

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