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Unilever is an British-Dutch multinational corporation that owns many of the world's consumer product
brands in foods, beverages, cleaning agents and personal care products.

History,time line

Our history
Unilever's corporate vision – helping people to look good, feel good and get more out of life –
shows how clearly the business understands 21st century-consumers and their lives. But the spirit
of this mission forms a thread that runs throughout our history.

Helping people get more out of life

This was long before the phrase 'Corporate Mission' had been invented, but these ideas have
stayed at the heart of our business. Even if their language – and the notion of only women doing
housework – has become outdated.

In a history that now crosses three centuries, Unilever's success has been influenced by the major
events of the day – economic boom, depression, world wars, changing consumer lifestyles and
advances in technology. And throughout we've created products that help people get more out of
life – cutting the time spent on household chores, improving nutrition, enabling people to enjoy
food and take care of their homes, their clothes and themselves.

Balancing profit with responsible corporate behaviour

In the late 19th century the businesses that would later become Unilever were among the most
philanthropic of their time. They set up projects to improve the lot of their workers and created
products with a positive social impact, making hygiene and personal care commonplace and
improving nutrition through adding vitamins to foods that were already daily staples.

Today, Unilever still believes that success means acting with 'the highest standards of corporate
behaviour towards our employees, consumers and the societies and world in which we live'.
Over the years we've launched or participated in an ever-growing range of initiatives to source
sustainable supplies of raw materials, protect environments, support local communities and much
more.
Through this timeline you'll see how our brand portfolio has evolved. At the beginning of the
21st century, our Path to Growth strategy focused us on global high-potential brands and our
Vitality mission has taken us into a new phase of development. More than ever, our brands are
helping people 'feel good, look good and get more out of life' – a sentiment close to Lord
Leverhulme's heart over a hundred years ago.

Building on this heritage, our priorities now are inspiring people to take small everyday actions
that can add up to a big difference for the world – from laundry brands that help minimise wasted
water and packaging to nutritious, easily prepared and affordable meals and snacks.

Timeline

19th Although Unilever wasn't formed until 1930, the companies that joined forces to
century create the business we know today were already well established before the start of
the 20th century.
1900s Unilever's founding companies produced products made of oils and fats, principally
soap and margarine. At the beginning of the 20th century their expansion nearly
outstrips the supply of raw materials.
1910s Tough economic conditions and the First World War make trading difficult for
everyone, so many businesses form trade associations to protect their shared
interests.
1920s With businesses expanding fast, companies set up negotiations intending to stop
others producing the same types of products. But instead they agree to merge - and
so Unilever is created.
1930s Unilever's first decade is no easy ride: it starts with the Great Depression and ends
with the Second World War. But while the business rationalises operations, it also
continues to diversify.
1940s Unilever's operations around the world begin to fragment, but the business
continues to expand further into the foods market and increase investment in
research and development.
1950s Business booms as new technology and the European Economic Community lead to
rising standards of living in the West, while new markets open up in emerging
economies around the globe.
1960s As the world economy expands, so does Unilever and it sets about developing new
products, entering new markets and running a highly ambitious acquisition
programme.
1970s Hard economic conditions and high inflation make the 70s a tough time for
everyone, but things are particularly difficult in the fast-moving consumer goods
(FMCG) sector as the big retailers start to flex their muscles.
1980s Unilever is now one of the world's biggest companies, but takes the decision to
focus its portfolio, and rationalise its businesses to focus on core products and
 brands.
1990s The business expands into Central and Eastern Europe and further sharpens its
focus on fewer product categories, leading to the sale or withdrawal of two-thirds of
its brands.
The 21st The decade starts with the launch of Path to Growth, a five-year strategic plan, and
century in 2004 further sharpens its focus on the needs of 21st century consumers with its
Vitality mission. In 2009, Unilever announces its new corporate vision – working to
create a better future every day with brands that help people look good, feel good
and get more out of life.

Organizational stracture