Unilever 2002 Annual Report Download - page 9

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Unilever Annual Report & Accounts and Form 20-F 2002
responded strongly to our health & wellness brands,
including the soy-based health drink AdeS in Brazil
and Mexico.
Overall we now have 14 global brands with a turnover of
1 billion or more. Ten years ago we had one.
In Europe, underlying sales grew 3% with a continuing
significant contribution from Central and Eastern Europe.
Foods sales in Western Europe grew at 3% including
an increasing contribution from UBF Foodsolutions, our
food service business. There has been sustained progress
in branded spreads and cooking products, especially in
Flora/Becel which grew by over 10%. In Home & Personal
Care in Western Europe, there were strong performances
through innovation and range extension in Dove, Rexona
and Axe.
Underlying sales in North America grew 1% with a stronger
performance in the second half as marketplace activity built
through the year. In Foods, underlying sales grew 2% and
our market shares remained firm. Slim•Fast continued to
expand, passing the 1 billion sales mark globally. Ice cream
again grew at well over 5% and Wishbone, Becel and Knorr
also moved ahead. In Home & Personal Care, after a slow
start, the successful launches of Axe deodorant and all
fabric conditioner and the relaunch of Dove body wash
contributed to a strong finish to the year.
In Africa, Middle East and Turkey, underlying sales grew by
7%. Including the increase in our holding in the Bestfoods
Robertsons business, turnover was ahead by 9%. Growth
was broad based across categories.
Underlying sales in Asia and Pacific grew by 5%. Home &
Personal Care grew across both categories and countries.
Indonesia, Philippines and Vietnam performed particularly
well and skin, hair and deodorants all grew at over 10%
across the region. In Foods, there was good growth in
South East Asia as the Bestfoods brands benefited from
the Unilever distribution system.
In Latin America, underlying sales grew by 12% driven by
pricing action to recover devaluation-led cost increases. In
laundry, market shares have held firm against our nearest
competitor and personal care continued to perform strongly.
Sedal shampoo grew exceptionally well across the region.
Dove shampoo has been launched in Brazil, Chile, Mexico
and Peru and is making good progress. In Foods, ice cream
grew by over 10%, mostly volume.
A responsible enterprise
Clear values and committed social responsibility are essential
to how Unilever conducts itself. At a time when the way
businesses behave is coming under greater scrutiny,
Unilever’s corporate reputation has become an even more
important asset.
In 2001, we revised our Code of Business Principles and,
during 2002, we rolled it out across the business, engaging
our people in a dialogue to ensure that everyone in Unilever
understands what is expected of them. We also published
our second Social Review, which gives an insight into our
day-to-day practices and our relationships with the societies
in which we live. We continue to look at all aspects of our
corporate governance to ensure that we stay at the
forefront of best practice.
Unilever is deeply rooted in the communities in which it
operates and in 2002 we supported many community
projects around the world, mainly by sharing our skills
and expertise.
During 2002, we continued to reduce our impact on the
environment. We bought more than a third of our fish
from sustainable sources and completed protocols for the
sustainable management of five key crops. Our efforts to
improve the quality of water in rivers and lakes and the
sustainability of agriculture and fishing were recognised
externally. For the fourth year running we have led our
sector in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes.
Looking forward
We are confident that the strength of our brands, the
dedication of our people and the geographical spread of
our business will enable Unilever to continue to progress
and prosper in 2003. We have sound and clearly understood
strategies, brands that serve people’s basic needs and
aspirations and generate dependable cash flow. These are
the essential elements, together with a proud corporate
reputation, which will enable us to maintain the momentum
of our Path to Growth, even in the difficult times that may
lie ahead. We thank all our employees for their commitment
and exceptional teamwork throughout the year.
Antony Burgmans Niall FitzGerald
Chairmen of Unilever
6Chairmen’s statement