February 4 2008, 11:06

Unilever buys Russian producer of ice-cream and flash frozen vegetables and fruits

Unilever company reached the agreement on the purchase of "Inmarko" company; the sum of deal is not released, Unilever informs.

The message says that the agreement should be approved by the regulatory authorities, RBC informs.

"Inmarko" is a strong brand; it is well recognized by Russian consumers. We plan to develop own business of ice-cream production in Russia - and we will rely on this company, its successful strategy, strong brands portfolio and managing talents", Vindi Banga, the President of Food Direction of Unilever company commented this deal.

Unilever is English-Dutch concern; it was founded in 1930 after the merger of Dutch Margarine Uni and British Lever Brothers. According to the results 2006, the company turnover amounted to EUR 39.642 billion. Unilever has been working on Russian market since 1992. Unilever owns four large Russian enterprises: perfume-makeup factory "Northern Lights" in Saint Petersburg, Moscow Margarine plant, Tula company - producer of bouillon cubes, instant soups, dressings, and instant meshed potato, and also tea-packing factory in Saint-Petersburg. Saint-Petersburg tea-packing factory produces teas under Lipton, Brooke Bond, "Beseda" trademarks. In total, Unilever has invested more than RUR 1 billion to the development of tea packing factory during the recent years.

"Inmarko" company was founded in 1991 in Novosibirsk, where the company's home office is located now. The company owns 15 brands (more than 100 types of products). In 2005 the company launched the production of frozen fruits and berries under Private Lable "Est' Idea". The company works on the whole territory of Russian Federation and in Republic of Kazakhstan. The company manages three plants in Novosibirsk, Omsk and Tula. According to consolidated management accounting, in 2006 "Inmarko" generated $ 130.9 mln., or 27.8% as much revenues than in the previous year.