Unilever has added to its ice cream portfolio after snapping up the Danish arm of manufacturer Diplom-Is.

The purchase, for an undisclosed sum, will see 30 employees and five local distribution centres in Denmark transfer to the fmcg giant from 30 September.

Diplom-Is is a Norwegian manufacturer of ice cream owned by dairy group Tine. It operates in Sweden and Denmark as well as its home market.

“Diplom-Is has a strong position in the out-of-home segment such as amusement parks and ice cream bars, allowing Unilever to provide even greater offerings to customers and consumers,” said Jens Voldmester, who heads up Unilever’s Danish business.

The move comes after Unilever last week unveiled a 20% rise in operating profits for the past six months. Growth in its ice cream and beverage business, whose brands include Magnum and Ben & Jerry's, stood at 5% for the period.

Last month Unilever sold its Italian frozen food business to Birds Eye in a deal worth £688m.

Read more
Profits surge but Unilever warns of challenges ahead (5 August 2010)
Unilever sells Italian frozen arm to Birds Eye (19 July 2010)

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