Unilever cannot yet confirm whether jobs in the Netherlands will be eliminated after the acquisition of its food division by the American firm McCormick. A company spokesperson stated that it is currently too early to provide concrete details regarding potential changes. However, the relevant consultation processes with works councils and other representative bodies will be completed before the transaction is finalised.
The food division currently employs approximately 1,000 people in the Netherlands. Although the division is formally based in Rotterdam, the merged company will operate under the McCormick name. Consequently, the firm will maintain its global headquarters in Hunt Valley, Maryland. This agreement, reached on Tuesday, values the deal at $44.8 billion (£35 billion).
According to the spokesperson, Unilever Foods staff will be “crucial” to the success of the combined business. She also suggested that McCormick’s larger scale will create new opportunities for employees across the entire organisation. Furthermore, she emphasised that the transaction focuses on growth. McCormick intends to integrate Unilever’s research and development centres and manufacturing operations into its own structure.
The CNV trade union expressed that they do not have “major concerns” at this stage, yet many questions remain. The union noted that it is reassuring to see the division kept whole rather than being sold in pieces to investment firms. Nevertheless, they are questioning what the deal means for Rotterdam employees who currently work across multiple Unilever divisions. The union concluded that the precise impact on employment remains to be seen.
@ anp | NEWS BRAINPORT
