Unilever sells Dutch baby-care brand Zwitsal to Royal Sanders for unknown price

Unilever is selling another Dutch brand; this time it is the baby-care company Zwitsal. The company is being bought by the Dutch company Royal Sanders, known for Odorex and Melkmeisje. The price of the deal has not been disclosed.

Earlier this year, Unilever already sold part of its foods division, including Calvé, to the American company McCormick. It has also sold De Vegetarische Slager and the cooking product brand Conimex.

According to the AD, while Zwistal and Calvé are household names in the Netherlands, they are rarely known abroad. Unilver, on the other hand, wants to invest in “global brands with broad international reach.”

“The decision to part with such an iconic and beloved brand was not taken lightly,” said Griet Demasure, Unilever’s general manager for personal care, in a press release.

Zwitsal originated back in the 17th century, when a pharmacy apprentice, Cor Jensen, brought a cream that he called “Swiss Balm" back to the Netherlands from Switzerland. The logo still features Jansen's daughter Mieke, who appeared on the very first packages. In 1974, the brand’s products received their now familiar yellow packaging color.