15/05/2003 : Unilever announced today that it is to sell its Van den Bergh Oils business in the UK, to Pura Foods Ltd, a subsidiary of ADM International Ltd, as part of its Path to Growth strategy to focus on leading brands. There are 140 people in the Van den Bergh Oils business.
Van den Bergh Oils, based in Purfleet, has built a substantial business with third party sales totalling some £40 million. As a fully self-supporting business it will be able to grow and develop further as an important player in the European edible oil refining industry under its new ownership.
Employee representatives are being consulted about the sale. Customers and suppliers will be kept informed. Further announcements will be made as appropriate.
The margarine factory owned by Unilever Bestfoods UK and situated on an adjacent site to the Van den Bergh Oils refinery is not part of this sale. It will continue to manufacture such household brand names as Flora, I Can't Believe It's Not Butter and Olivio. The margarine factory employs approximately 300 people.
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