The British-Dutch mega-giant's takeover of the Karamel Sutra creamery went smoothly thanks to an adaptable CEO. Delicious executive lessons ensued.
In 2001, the British-Dutch conglomerate Unilever bought the American Vermont-based ice cream manufacturer Ben & Jerry's. A key asset of Ben & Jerry's was its market niche among those customers who appreciated the premium ice cream with unusual flavor names like Karamel Sutra, Chocolate Therapy, and Imagine Whirled Peace. In the acquisition, Unilever needed to preserve this market niche, which was based in no small part on the corporate image of Ben & Jerry's social responsibility and left-leaning social activism.
To read the full, original article click on this link: When Unilever Bought Ben & Jerry's: A Story Of CEO Adaptability | Fast Company
