Unilever has announced plans to sell the Colman’s Mustard brand and its associated assets. The move is intended to address potential competition issues arising from the company's proposed £48bn merger with the American food corporation McCormick.
The sale follows a significant shift in the brand's history. While Colman's was synonymous with Norwich for 160 years—having been founded by Jeremiah Colman in 1814—Unilever shuttered its Carrow production facility in 2020. Manufacturing was subsequently relocated to Burton-on-Trent and Germany. The former 42-acre factory site in Norwich has remained vacant since the closure and is currently designated for residential development.
A spokesperson for Unilever stated that the company is proactively seeking buyers to resolve regulatory concerns regarding the combination of Unilever Foods and McCormick. The broader merger would see McCormick acquire several major brands, including Marmite, Hellmann's, Knorr, and Pot Noodle. Notably, McCormick already owns French's, a primary competitor in the mustard market. Following the transaction, Unilever intends to pivot its focus toward personal care and home products, such as Dove, Persil, and Lynx.
Despite the brand's departure from its original manufacturing base, the local legacy has been partially maintained by Condimentum, a firm based near Norwich that processes raw materials for the mustard. Unilever confirmed that business operations are proceeding as usual while negotiations regarding the sale continue.
Source: BBC News
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