Unilever Pakistan Limited, formerly known as Lever Brothers Pakistan Limited, is a Pakistani fast-moving consumer goods company based in Karachi. It is a subsidiary of the British multinational company Unilever.[2] It has 2 company-owned factories operating in the country: one in Rahim Yar Khan manufacturing beauty & personal products, and one in Lahore manufacturing food products.
Unilever exists in Pakistan as two separate entities. Unilever Pakistan Foods Limited (UPFL), which is a publicly listed company, looks after the 'Foods' business group. Unilever Pakistan Limited (UPL) is a privately-owned subsidiary of Unilever which looks after the remaining three business groups: Beauty & Wellbeing, Personal Care, and Home Care.
History
Unilever Pakistan Limited was founded as Lever Brothers Pakistan Limited in 1948.[3] The town of Rahim Yar Khan was the site chosen for setting up a soap factory. In the mid 1960s, the company shifted its headquarters to Karachi from the Rahim Yar Khan site. The RYK site has seen expanded, and now manufactures products for Beauty & Wellbeing, and Personal Care business groups.
In December 1980, Unilever was listed on the Karachi Stock Exchange.[4]
In 1989, Unilever merged with Lipton in 1989 and later with Brooke Bond in 1997.[3] In May 1995, it expanded into ice cream manufacturing by amalgamating with Polka.[3]
In August 2024, the Competition Commission of Pakistan imposed a Rs. 60 million fine on Unilever Pakistan for airing television commercials containing deceptive claims for its hygiene and cleansing products, ‘Lifebuoy Hand Wash’ and ‘Lifebuoy Soap’.[5]
Former Brands:
In 2003, Unilever announced the strategic decision to sell off the Dalda brand in both India and Pakistan.[6] On March 2004, Unilever Pakistan accepted an offer of Rs. 1.33 billion for the sale of its Dalda brand and related business of edible oils and fats to the newly incorporated company Dalda Foods (Pvt.) Limited.[7]
In July 2022, Unilever completed the sale of its Tea business, Lipton Teas & Infusions, to the CVC Capital Partners Fund VIII. Unilever and CVC had entered into an agreement for the sale of ekaterra in November 2021, for €4.5 billion on a cash-free, debt-free basis.[8]
In July 2025, The Magnum Ice Cream Company became an independent subsidiary of Unilever by a demerger. Following the announcement on March 2024 to create a separate stand-alone business, the several major ice cream brands owned by Unilever, such as Magnum, Ben & Jerry's, Cornetto and Wall's, were combined into The Magnum Ice Cream Company as a stand-alone company.[9]
Brands
Foods & Ice Cream
- Lipton (tea), now demerged into Lipton Teas & Infusions[10]
- Wall's, Magnum & Cornetto ice cream, now demerged into Magnum Ice Cream Company[11]
- Knorr soup, noodles & meal mixes
- Hellman's
- Rafhan
- Glaxose-D
Beauty, Well-being & Personal Care
Home care
- Comfort – fabric softeners
- Surf Excel – detergent and gentle wash.[12]
- Domex
- Vim
External links
References
- Unilever Pakistan announces change in leadership with new CEO's appointment www.thenews.com.pk^
- Dilawar Hussain. Marketing in rural areas through ‘Guddi Bajis’ DAWN.COM, 19 May 2014^
- UNILEVER PAKISTAN LIMITED - Analysis of Financial Statements Financial Year 2003 - Financial Year 2008 Brecorder, 7 April 2009^
- Seven years after delisting, Unilever Pakistan is investing heavily in growth Profit by Pakistan Today, 10 January 2021^
- Unilever fined Rs60m DAWN, 10 August 2024^
- Seven years after delisting, Unilever Pakistan is investing heavily in growth Profit by Pakistan Today, 2021-01-10, retrieved 2022-04-03^
- Dilawar Hussain. Dalda grabs Tullo in edible oil business Dawn (newspaper), 5 January 2008, retrieved 20 September 2021^
- Unilever completes the sale of its Tea business, ekaterra Unilever, retrieved 2026-03-26^
- Warren Ackerman. Why is Unilever spinning out its ice cream business? The Grocer, retrieved 2026-03-26^
- AFP. Unilever sells tea arm, including Lipton, for 4.5bn euros Brecorder, 2021-11-22, retrieved 2026-03-26^
- Demerger information magnumicecreamcompany, retrieved 2026-03-26^
- Profile of Unilever Pakistan Business Recorder, Published 30 November 2011, Retrieved 13 June 2021^