Unilever NV Shareholders Vote Overwhelmingly For Unification

The maker of Dove soap, Surf detergent and Ben & Jerry’s ice cream hopes to unify on Nov. 22, ending 90 years as a hybrid since Britain’s soap-making Lever Brothers merged with Margarine Unie in the Netherlands.

For it to go ahead it must also be approved by investors in Britain’s Unilever Plc, who are due to vote on Oct. 12 on the proposal.

Unilever says that the dual structure hampers its ability to conduct acquisitions and disposals quickly, such as the planned sale of its 3 billion euros per year tea business.

Chief Executive Alan Jope said Unilever would press on with its plans despite a proposal from a Dutch opposition party to impose an “exit tax” if it quits the Netherlands.