Marmite maker Unilever merges food arm with McCormick in $50bn deal to form “global flavour powerhouse”

Its owner, Unilever, has confirmed the sale of a number of its brands to McCormick in a significant merger deal.

The acquisition also includes Colman's mustard, Bovril, Hellmann's mayonnaise, Knorr and Pot Noodle.

The merger will create a major food giant which Fernando Fernández, chief executive of Unilever, has described as a "global flavour powerhouse".

Unilever said it will receive about 15.7 billion dollars (£11.9 billion) of cash upfront as well as equity in McCormick.

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McCormick's current portfolio includes French's mustard and Schwartz.

Unilever will retain a 65% stake in the Unilever Foods business, with Unilever shareholders owning 55.1% of the business and the Unilever itself retaining a 9.9% stake.

Fernandez said: “By combining Unilever Foods’ iconic leading brands and global reach with McCormick’s exceptional portfolio, category expertise and capabilities, we are establishing a focused, high-quality business with significant top line growth and value creation potential.”

Bosses said the deal is expected to complete by mid-2027.

The combined company said it hopes to secure around $600 million (£453.2 million) of cost efficiencies each year as a result.

Selling the food business will leave Unilever with a collection of major beauty, personal and home care labels such as Dove, Radox, Vaseline and Persil.

Beauty and wellbeing brands have been selling particularly well in recent months, according to its latest results.

Last year, the group spun off its ice cream business to create the Magnum Ice Cream Company, which it floated with a primary listing in Amsterdam and secondary listings in New York and the UK.

It has also sold off a number of food brands, including snacking business Graze and plant-based brand The Vegetarian Butcher, in recent years.

On the other hand, it has sought to grow its personal care business over the past year with deals to acquire the fast-growing Wild and Dr Squatch brands.

Unilever also confirmed it was temporarily freezing recruitment in a bid to rein in costs amid the global turbulence caused by conflict in the Middle East.

A spokesperson for Unilever said: “Reflecting the uncertain external environment, we have decided to put in place a temporary pause on our recruitment.

“We remain an agile business and will always adjust our plans as necessary.”