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 May 2005
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: May 20 2005
EXHIBIT INDEX
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EXHIBIT NUMBER EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION
99 Notice to London Stock Exchange dated
20 May 2005, 'Disposal'
Exhibit 99
UNILEVER AGREES TO SELL PRESTIGE FRAGRANCE BUSINESS TO COTY
Unilever today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to sell its
global prestige fragrance business, Unilever Cosmetics International (UCI), to
Coty Inc., of the United States.
Unilever will receive a consideration of $800 million in cash at the closing,
with the opportunity for further deferred payments contingent upon future sales.
The business includes the perfume licenses for Calvin Klein, Cerruti, Vera Wang,
Chloe and Lagerfeld, as well as a manufacturing and distribution center in Mt.
Olive, New Jersey, and a distribution center in Lille, France. UCI employees
will transfer to Coty with the business.
Sales for the global prestige fragrance business for 2004 were in excess of $600
million (EUR490m).
Patrick Cescau, CEO of Unilever said, "This is an excellent strategic move for
Unilever and one that is fully in line with our strategy to focus on our core
categories. We are delighted that UCI's strengths will complement those of Coty
and will enable the brands to grow within a leading cosmetics and fragrance
business."
"This is truly an exciting day for Coty," said Bernd Beetz, Chief Executive
Officer of Coty Inc. "The acquisition of Unilever Cosmetics International and
its leading brands will help to fuel Coty's growth and will further strengthen
Coty's position in the beauty industry, making Coty a leader in the fragrance
business."
"We have enjoyed working with Unilever's current management team to improve and
innovate the Calvin Klein fragrance portfolio," said Mark Weber, President &
COO, and incoming CEO, of Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation, the parent of Calvin
Klein, Inc. "We have great expectations that the reinvigorated Calvin Klein
fragrance portfolio will continue its strong momentum as part of Coty's
organization and benefit from their expertise in the fragrance industry."
The transaction is expected to be completed in the course of the coming months,
subject to the necessary regulatory approvals and normal consultative
procedures.
-o0o-
May 20 2005
SAFE HARBOUR STATEMENT: This announcement 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. 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.
About Unilever
Unilever, one of the world's largest consumer products companies, adds vitality
to life by meeting the everyday needs for nutrition, hygiene and personal care.
With a portfolio of great brands that make people feel good, look good and get
more out of life, 150 million consumers around the world choose Unilever
products everyday, including icons such as:
Knorr, Hellmann's, Lipton, Dove, Sure, Surf, Cif, Marmite, Pot Noodle.
Unilever has around 220,000 employees in approaching 100 countries and
generated annual sales of EUR42 billion in 2004. For more information about
Unilever and its brands, please visit www.unilever.com.