UN Unilever NV

Dove(R), Caress(R), Lux(R), Ponds(R), Vaseline(R) and Axe(R) Developed in CT's Backyard Unilever executives were joined today by state and local officials for a ribbon-cutting celebration for the global consumer products giant's new Research & Development Center in Trumbull. The $23 million, 80,000 square-foot laboratory and office addition, expands the Unilever Trumbull campus and capabilities for research and development for its global skin and U.S. laundry products. The opening marks the transfer of over 200 jobs to the State of Connecticut, making Unilever one of the largest employers in Trumbull with over 1000 employees located in the Trumbull Corporate Park. "Unilever is a world class corporation and its presence in Trumbull has, in my opinion, influenced other quality companies, such as Helicopter Support Services, Target, Cooper Surgical, Westfield Corporation and The Trumbull Professional Center to either relocate here or significantly expand their current operations within the town," said Trumbull First Selectman Raymond Baldwin, Jr. "Unilever has also been a generous contributor to the community and shares our vision for not just corporate expansion but quality of life as well." "This is a great day for the state of Connecticut," said Marie O'Brien, president of the Connecticut Development Authority, a quasi-public agency dedicated to promoting economic growth. "This new facility not only brings hundreds of high-paying jobs to the state, but also highlights Connecticut's competitive advantages as an ideal location for businesses engaged in leading-edge research and development." Designed to inspire great innovations and motivate employees to collaborate on great ideas, the new, state-of-the-art Unilever R&D Trumbull Center reflects the creative environment of Unilever's research. It has open-floor spaces and bright and light laboratories where onlookers can view through observation windows, as well as a unique innovation lounge area and an on-site pilot plant to quickly put ideas to the test. "The purpose of our new center is to contribute to the success of Unilever's brands in the U.S. and around the world, by researching and developing product innovations that help our consumers feel good, look good and get more out of life," said Tony Mills, Unilever Vice President R&D, Skin Category. "This new center brings to one location Unilever's skin research operations, formerly based in Edgewater, New Jersey, together with the Trumbull-based development team. Having these teams integrated will help simplify our business and help us better serve our customers." Mills continued, "In addition, our laundry product development team, also formerly based in Edgewater, is here in Trumbull with the benefit of additional local resources such as the Unilever pilot plant." The research conducted at the Unilever R&D Trumbull Center focuses on global research and development of skin products such as Dove, Pond's, Vaseline, AXE, Lux and Caress, and is also home to the U.S. laundry product development team for all(R), Snuggle(R), and Wisk(R). The Trumbull Corporate Park was already home to approximately 800 Unilever employees for business functions such as finance, information technology, supply chain, human resources and product development. Now with this new research and development center, Unilever has become one of the largest employers in Trumbull with more than 1000 employees. In total, Unilever employs approximately 2000 people in Connecticut, including the Home and Personal Care North American headquarters in Greenwich, and a manufacturing plant in Clinton. About Unilever Unilever (NYSE: UL, UN), one of the world's largest consumer products companies, aims to add vitality to life by meeting everyday needs for nutrition, hygiene and personal care. Each day, around the world, consumers make 150 million decisions to purchase Unilever products. The company has a portfolio of brands that make people feel good, look good and get more out of life. In the United States these brands include recognized names such as: Axe, "all," Ben & Jerry's, Bertolli, Breyers, Caress, Country Crock, Degree, Dove personal care products, Eternity by Calvin Klein, Hellmann's, Lipton, Knorr, Popsicle, Promise, Q-Tips, Skippy, Slim-Fast, Snuggle, Suave and Vaseline. All of the preceding brand names are registered trademarks of the Unilever group of companies. Dedicated to serving consumers and the communities where we live, work and play, Unilever in the United States employs more than 15,000 people in 74 office and manufacturing sites in 24 states and Puerto Rico - generating approximately $10 billion in sales in 2004. For more information visit www.unileverusa.com