Almelo/ Rotterdam, 18 December 2024 – Zwanenberg Food Group wants to acquire the Unox and (in Belgium and Greece) Zwan brands from Unilever. The intended acquisition also includes Unilever’s production lines for soups in pouches.

Trade unions will be informed, the Authority for Consumers and Markets and the works councils will be formally involved in the first quarter of 2025.

The intended acquisition is in line with Zwanenberg’s strategy to focus on the production and distribution of soups, meat products, plant-based meat substitutes, sauces and meals.

In 1996, Zwanenberg Food Group acquired the ZWAN brand for a large number of export countries. The first collaboration between Zwanenberg and Unilever dates back to 2004, when Zwanenberg started making a number of Unox and Swan products for Unilever. In 2018, Zwanenberg took over the Unox factory in Oss from Unilever. Since then, Zwanenberg has been making all the frankfurters and smoked sausages – including the vegetarian variants – for Unilever. However, the brands Zwan (in Belgium and Greece) and Unox remained the property of Unilever. Zwanenberg is now taking over the marketing and sales of these brands, as well as the production lines for soups in pouches.

Sjoerd van der Laan, CEO of Zwanenberg Food Group, explains: “After the acquisition of the Unilever factory in Oss in 2018, taking over Unox and Zwan is a great addition that fits in perfectly with our ambitions. We are a food company that produces private label products as well as branded products. Unox and Zwan are a wonderful extension of our range.”

Mike de Boer, CEO of Zwanenberg Food Group Netherlands, adds: “Unox is a recognisable and truly Dutch brand that has been a fixture in the supermarket for decades. The same applies to Zwan in Belgium and Greece. Zwanenberg has been producing for Unox and Zwan for years. Acquiring these brands offers great opportunities for Zwanenberg.”

Heiko Schipper, President Unilever Foods: “Unox is a beloved and iconic brand in the Netherlands and the decision to part with it, has not been easy. Its association with Dutch winter activities, such as the New Year’s Dive in Scheveningen and ice skating events, has cemented its place in Dutch culture. In Belgium, Zwan is associated with comfort and nostalgia and with quick and easy meals, making it a beloved part of everyday Belgian life. I am convinced that under the ownership of Zwanenberg, Unox and Zwan will be able to adapt quickly to trends and remain relevant in this competitive market.”

About Zwanenberg Food Group
Zwanenberg Food Group has 1,800 employees and sales of approximately €600 million (2023). The company produces canned meats, snacks, soups, sauces, convenience meals, vegetarian and vegan products, both under private label and a number of own brands. Zwanenberg exports canned meat to more than a hundred countries. Zwanenberg Food Group has its own production locations in the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States.

For more information and interviews with the Zwanenberg CEO, please contact:
Patrick de Leede, pr@zwanenberg.nl, tel. +31 (0)6 21 54 6995