LONDON – Leading Dutch/British FMCG major Unilever has signed an agreement to acquire the business of Betty Ice SRL, the Romanian ice-cream producer, at an undisclosed sum.
According to the company, its South Central Europe Ice Cream division and Betty Ice will operate as a standalone unit within Unilever and will be led by Mr. Vasile Armenean, who will act as a General Manager.
The deal aims to further expand the ice cream brand by combining the strengths of the Unilever group with the local ice-cream market expertise, says Unilever.
Betty Ice was founded in 1994 by Romanian entrepreneur Vasile Armenean with the vision of transforming the perfect dessert into a reality, creating natural tastes and flavours with carefully selected ingredients.
It is the main local ice cream producer in Romania, with a total turnover of US$37.35million, owns one factory in Suceava and has more than 180 ice cream kiosks open during summer time.
“We are delighted that Betty Ice will join the Unilever family. Betty Ice is a wonderful business, much loved by Romanians.
I am also very pleased that Vasile Armenean has decided to join our company.
He is an outstanding entrepreneur and he will play an instrumental role in creating a bright future for this new business,” said James Simmons, Managing Director Unilever South Central Europe.
“In 23 years we have grown a great business in Romania, and we are proud that Betty Ice, the number 1 Romanian ice cream brand, will join the portfolio of the number 1 ice cream producer in the world.
Our legacy and Unilever’s vision is a perfect match for the future of Betty Ice brand,” added Vasile Armenean, Betty Ice General Manager.
The agreement is subject to regulatory approval by the Romanian competition authorities.
Betty Ice employs 760 employees in Romania.
