Unilever announces plan to separate Ice Cream unit

Unilever announced steps to accelerate its “Growth Action Plan” through the separation of Ice Cream and the launch of a productivity program. The board believes Unilever “should be increasingly focused on a portfolio of unmissably superior brands with strong positions in highly attractive categories that have complementary operating models. Ice Cream has a “very different operating model,” and as a result the board has decided that the separation of Ice Cream “best serves the future growth of both Ice Cream and Unilever.” Following separation, Unilever “will become a simpler, more focused company, operating four Business Groups across Beauty & Wellbeing, Personal Care, Home Care and Nutrition,” the company said in a statement. In addition, Unilever said it will continue to optimize its portfolio within the four business groups towards higher growth spaces and through brands with global reach or significant potential to scale.