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 August, 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: August 29, 2006
EXHIBIT INDEX
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EXHIBIT NUMBER EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION
99 Notice to London Stock Exchange dated
28 August 2006, Unilever sale of Frozen Food
Exhibit 99
UNILEVER SIGNS AGREEMENT TO SELL EUROPEAN
FROZEN FOOD BUSINESS
Unilever today announced that it had reached an agreement to sell the majority
of its European Frozen Foods business to the Permira Funds for EUR1.725bn. The
deal, which is subject to regulatory approval and a consultative process with
the relevant employee works councils, is expected to be completed before the end
of the year.
The Unilever businesses being sold in this transaction include the Frozen Foods
operations in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Portugal
and United Kingdom. The decision to sell the businesses followed a thorough
study into the strategic options for the future of the Frozen Foods business.
Patrick Cescau, Group Chief Executive, said: "The Frozen Foods business has been
great for Unilever over many decades with tremendous products, iconic brands and
memorable advertising delivering value for our shareholders. Having taken the
decision to focus our portfolio on other priorities, I am confident that the
business will prosper under the dedicated and focused management that the
Permira Funds will bring."
Cheryl Potter, Partner at Permira, commented, "We are delighted the Permira
Funds are acquiring such iconic brands and look forward to supporting their
growth going forward. The market sees few food deals of this size and very
rarely involving brands of this stature. "
Further information:
. Turnover in 2005 was EUR1,237m and EBITDA of EUR174m on an on-going,
fully-allocated cost basis
. The transaction represents multiples of 1.4 X annual sales and 9.9 X
EBITDA
. The sale is expected to result in a one-off profit, after tax, in excess
of EUR1bn
. As part of normal consultation processes there will be discussions with
the relevant employee works councils and Trade Unions
. Unilever remains firmly committed to sustainability programmes and
activities in all areas of its business, and will work with the Permira
Funds to transfer knowledge and best practice in this area.
. The sale includes the total frozen food portfolio under the Iglo and
Bird's Eye brands in the following countries: Austria, Belgium, France,
Germany Greece, Ireland, Netherlands, Portugal and United Kingdom
. Unilever will retain its Frozen Food business under the brand name Findus
in Italy
. The sale of our Portuguese business is subject to the agreement of the JV
partner in Portugal
. The Frozen Food business in Spain is not included in the sale having
previously been sold to Bonduelle two months ago
. Ice cream is not included in the sale
. Bertolli/Knorr Frozen in North America is not included in the sale
Global
Tim Johns
Vice-President, Global Media Relations +44 20 7822 6805
Europe
Tanno Massar
Director, European Media Relations +31 10 217 4844
UK
Helen Lo
Head of Communications +44 1932 263326
August 28, 2006
About Unilever
Unilever's mission is to add vitality to life. We meet everyday needs for
nutrition, hygiene and personal care with brands that help people feel good,
look good and get more out of life.
Unilever is one of the world's leading suppliers of fast moving consumer goods
with strong local roots in more than 100 countries across the globe. Its
portfolio includes some of the world's best known and most loved brands
including twelve EUR1 billion brands and global leadership in many categories in
which the company operates. The portfolio features brand icons such as Knorr,
Hellmann's, Flora, Bertolli, Dove, Lux, Pond's, Lynx, Persil, Domestos, and
Marmite.
Unilever has around 206,000 employees in approaching 100 countries and generated
annual sales of EUR40 billion in 2005. For more information about Unilever and
its brands, please visit www.unilever.com.
SAFE HARBOUR STATEMENT: This announcement/document (adjust as applicable) may
contain forward-looking statements, including 'forward-looking statements'
within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995. Words such as 'expects', 'anticipates', 'intends' or the negative of
these terms and other similar expressions of future performance or results and
their negatives are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These
forward-looking statements are based upon current expectations and assumptions
regarding anticipated developments and other factors affecting the Group. They
are not historical facts, nor are they guarantees of future performance. Because
these forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, there are
important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from
those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, including, among
others, competitive pricing and activities, consumption levels, costs, the
ability to maintain and manage key customer relationships and supply chain
sources, currency values, interest rates, the ability to integrate acquisitions
and complete planned divestitures, physical risks, environmental risks, the
ability to manage regulatory, tax and legal matters and resolve pending matters
within current estimates, legislative, fiscal and regulatory developments,
political, economic and social conditions in the geographic markets where the
Group operates and new or changed priorities of the Boards. Further details of
potential risks and uncertainties affecting the Group are described in the
Group's filings with the London Stock Exchange, Euronext Amsterdam and the US
Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Annual Report & Accounts on
Form 20-F. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this
announcement/document (adjust as applicable). Except as required by any
applicable law or regulation, the Group expressly disclaims any obligation or
undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking
statements contained herein to reflect any change in the Group's expectations
with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on
which any such statement is based.