Unilever said today (6 July) that its decision to merge its operations in Belgium and the Netherlands is “common sense” as it looks to boost efficiency from its businesses there.

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The consumer goods giant is looking to integrate its operations in the two countries into one entity, Unilever Benelux.


Unilever is looking to boost the company’s competitiveness and keep a lid on costs in both markets.


Some 200 jobs in Belgium look to be under threat as Unilever merges functions including sales, marketing and logistics. The company, however, will keep an office in both countries – one in Brussels and the other in Rotterdam.


A Unilever spokesman in London said the company wanted to get the “best out of people in what is, geographically, a relatively small area”.

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“All executive decisions will be made by one single team rather than two separate teams,” the spokesman told just-food. “A lot of it is common sense – in a business environment, you’re continuously under pressure to become ever more efficient.”


The company has insisted that the integration would not affect its Lipton factory or its Food solutions business.

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