Merger announced
McCormick and Unilever merger (2026)
McCormick announced a merger with Knorr and Hellmann's on 31 March 2026 for $44.8 billion; the deal is announced.[1][2]
Unilever agreed to combine its Foods business, home of Knorr and Hellmann's, with McCormick in a Reverse Morris Trust: Unilever would receive $15.7 billion in cash, and Unilever and its shareholders would own 65 per cent of the combined company with McCormick's existing holders owning 35 per cent. McCormick valued Unilever Foods at an enterprise value of about $44.8 billion. It would be the largest reshaping of Unilever since the ice cream demerger, leaving it a beauty, personal care and home care company.
Recorded as announced; completion is expected around mid-2027. Only Knorr and Hellmann's are listed as assets because they are the Unilever brands the filings name. Unilever remains the owner until closing.
Deal facts
- Announced
- Expected close
- Pending
- Value
- $44.8 billion (enterprise value)
- Buyer
- McCormick
- Seller
- Unilever
- Assets
- Knorr, Hellmann's
- Regulatory review
- None recorded
Who owns these brands today?
- Knorr — owned by Unilever since 2000
- Hellmann's — owned by Unilever since 2000
Sources (2) & corrections
Last verified . Every ownership fact above is backed by one of these primary documents. Numbers in brackets in the text refer to this list.
- [1] McCormick & Company Form 8-K/A - combination with Unilever Foods — SEC EDGAR, SEC Form 8-K, published 6 April 2026; retrieved 16 September 2026.
- [2] McCormick & Company Rule 425 filing - investor call transcript on the Unilever Foods combination — SEC EDGAR, SEC filing, published 1 April 2026; retrieved 16 September 2026.
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