6 - 12 January 2000

Foster Clark Malta no longer part of Unilever

by Franco Aloisio

After 16 years as part of the international firm Unilever Group, Foster Clark Products Ltd has become a wholly owned subsidiary of the Busuttil Group. Unilever had a 60 per cent stake in Foster Clark Products Ltd , which is based in San Gwann industrial estate.

Jeff Fraser of Unilever said that his company had valued its involvement in Foster Clark, but although it was a very successful business, it no longer fitted Unilever's core category and brand focus strategy.

The Chairman of Busuttil Group, Charles Busuttil, in announcing the acquisition said that the past 16 years of joint venture with the Unilever Group provided the company with valuable experience. Foster Clark was set up in Malta in 1967 as a joint venture with Unilever between Paul Busuttil, father of Charles, and Brooke Bond of Unilever.

In the last years, Foster Clark moved into a new purposely built factory with the latest technology. The company, which employs 230 people and has a turnover of Lm12m, said it will continue focusing its efforts on its established local and export markets while continuing to expand into new territories.