Unilever at a glance
Throughout the years in various countries around the world, Unilever has been setting benchmarks in terms of quality and innovation. Here, we show you our collective efforts throughout the years.
Unilever Malaysia Milestones
1930s
Unilever is established out of joined forces of English soap maker, Lever Brothers and Dutch edible fats manufacturer, Margarie Unie Planta Margarine Introduced.
1947
Unilever is established in Malaysia. Began as Lever Brothers in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur to produce soap and margarine.
1949
Unilever’s factory in Bangsar is completed and ready for operation. Costing RM12 million, factory was then reputed to be the largest in the country with ability to wrap 124 pieces of soap a minute.
1957
Lever Brothers becomes the first private company to support the government’s Central Apprenticeship Board Scheme, a programme planned by the International Labour Organisation to train more skilled technicians.
1958
Lever Brothers sets up the Bumiputra Pilot Scheme in respond to calls for more Bumiputra participation in business.
1965
The RM2 million Wall's Factory officially opens in Bangsar. A joint venture between Lever Brothers and Fitzpatricks Far East Limited Singapore, the factory was equipped with the most modern machinery of its kind in the world and provided employment for some 500 people.
1971
The Company’s operations is decentralized when the Head Office is relocated to Wisma Damansara in Damansara Heights and the Central Sales Office to Old Klang Road.
1973
A modern and sophisticated edible oil refining plant costing RM1.2 million installed at the Jalan Bangsar factory becomes operational.
1974
The Company launches a tree-planting campaign in its cause of preserving the environment and to add more natural colour to the factory environment.
1979
In compliance with the Bumiputra ownership target of the New Economic Policy, Unilever embarks on an equity restructuring exercise. The outcome of the exercise was that 30% of its paid-up capital was issued to two Bumiputra institutions in 1981, namely Permodalan Nasional Bhd (23%) and Lembaga Tabung Haji (7%).
1982
The olechemical plant of Unichema Malaysiaand a division of Lever Brothers is built in a new industrial estate in Bukit Raja, Klang. Subsequently, the soap operation also moves to Bukit Raja the same year, signaling a gradual relocation of the total manufacturing facilities from Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur.
1983
The Company is once again reunited in the Bangsar premises for cost effectiveness and to make communication easier within the Company and to promote team spirit.
1987
A new detergent powder plant, with manufacturing facilities for liquids and detergent bars, is added to the Bukit Raja operations.
1992
The Super Busa bus shelter project is initiated, building over a hundred bus shelters in the rural areas. This was an expression of Unilever Malaysia’s commitment to the rural people of Malaysia.
1993
Following the addition of the new detergent , a new ice-cream factory worth RM 25 million and equipped with state of the art facilities, is successfully opened.
1994
Lever Brothers changes its corporate name to Unilever (Malaysia) Holdings Sdn. Bhd, a significant turning point for the Company. With the adoption of the global name, the company expressed a new status and performed as a multinational multi-local business entity. Unilever and Brothers concludes, enhancing market position for both parties and their brands and develops best practices in maintaining Unilever’s leading market position Unilever restructures its business to focus on its core strengths in brand management, customer understanding & marketing, customer development and other support function. The change in focus resulted in the company outsourcing its manufacturing requirements and closing its Bukit Raja factory. The aim is to place Unilever in a better position to meet the changing needs of our consumers rapidly and a key step to continue growing its business in Malaysia. Detergent, household care and ice cream categories previously produced at the Bukit Raja factory will be obtained from Malaysian factories or from Unilever overseas sister companies.Unilever opens its food factory in Rawang, Selangor producing mayonnaise, dressings, seasonings, bouillion and sauce.
2003
Unilever Malaysia moves to its brand new office at Menara Telekom, after occupying the previous premise in Jalan Bangsar for 56 years.
2004
Touching Hearts, a community relations program solely driven by employees, is established. Touching Hearts manages Unilever Malaysia’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives more structured & committed manner and effectively under one umbrella.
Unilever Singapore Milestones
1954
Unilever Starts operations in Singapore as “ Lever Brothers Malaya”(LBS), trading in detergents and edible fats.
1961
Wall’s Fitzpatrick’s joint venture is formed.
1968
Lipton Tea Company starts operation as a trading company.
1969
Lever Brothers Malaya becomes“ Lever Brothers Singapore Sdn Bhd ”(LBS).
1970
LBS detergents factory opens.
1975
Lipton Tea Co. becomes “Lipton (Far East) Pte Ltd ”.
1976
LBS enters personal products business.
1978
Lipton tea factory in Joo Koon Circle opens.
1985
Unilever acquires 100% of Wall’s JV and the ice cream business is merge into LBS.
1987
Unilever acquires Chesebrough Ponds and its operation are merged into LBS.
1989
Unilever Singapore Pte Ltd (USPL) is formed as holding company for LBS, Lipton and a few other smaller concern companies.
1991
Operational management of LBS and Lipton are merged.
1995
USPL acquires Hazeline.
1996
Unilever acquires Diversey, which remain independently managed.
1997
Unilever sells chemicals business (National Adhesive Singapore Pte Ltd) to ICI.
1997
SEA&A and NEA Business Groups Offices relocate from Londonto Singapore; they formed separate company named “Unilever East Asia Pacific Pte Ltd.”
1999
USPL takes over Ice Cream distribution from 3rd party.
2000
Unilever acquire Bestfoods.
2001
Unilever/USPL sells Elizabeth Arden to FFI. Diversey Lever Business is legally integrated into a division of USPL.
2001
Singapore businesses are reorganized into divisions: HPC, Unilever Bestfoods and Ice refreshments, each with its own General Manager. HPC GM takes responsibility for shared functions.
2001
AJI Sinagpore Pte Ltd (the Bestfood JV) integrates its Retail sales, Caterplan warehousing and distribution, and backroom operations with USPL.
2002
Unilever/USPL sells Diversey Business to SC Johnson.
