Unilever PLC - Acquisition

RNS No 794b
UNILEVER PLC/UNILEVER NV
26th March 1998


        UNILEVER ACQUIRES RUSSIAN MARGARINE BUSINESS

Unilever has acquired a controlling interest in the shares of
the open joint-stock company 'Moskovsky Margarinovy Zavod'
(MMZ), a leading Moscow producer of margarine, cooking fats
and mayonnaise, for an undisclosed sum.  The relevant Russian
authorities have approved the transaction.

The business employs approximately 350 people. The management
and employees fully support the transaction, recognising that
the resulting transfer of know-how is of essential importance
to the continuous development of the business.

An initial investment of over US$ 20 million will be made
during the next months to bring production facilities up to
Unilever standard and to develop the business. Unilever will
also commence a major training programme to familiarise
employees with its management skills and business systems.

The acquisition follows the purchase by Unilever in 1994 of
Severnoye Siyaniye, a personal care business in St. Petersburg
and the highly successful introduction of Rama margarine to
the Russian market in 1996 and Calve mayonnaise in 1997.
MMZ's knowledge and understanding of the Russian Yellow Fats
market is expected to contribute significantly to the
development of Unilever's business in Russia.


E-mail  : [e-mail]
Internet: http://www.unilever.com

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