Who Owns Knorr?
Knorr is owned by Unilever, a British-Dutch multinational consumer goods corporation. Founded in Germany in 1838 by Carl Heinrich Theodor Knorr, the brand was acquired by Unilever in 2000 when Unilever purchased Best Foods, Knorr's parent company at the time. Knorr is Unilever's biggest selling brand with annual sales topping €3 billion.
Parent Company
Unilever plc
Acquired
2000
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
Heilbronn, Germany
Who Owns Knorr?
- Parent Company: Unilever plc
- Ownership Type: Wholly owned
- Acquisition Year: 2000
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: LSE: ULVR
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Knorr | Unilever plc | Wholly owned |
History of Knorr
- Founded: 1838
- Founders: Carl Heinrich Theodor Knorr
- Acquired by Unilever plc: 2000
Knorr was founded in 1838 by Carl Heinrich Theodor Knorr in Heilbronn, Germany. This founding vision demonstrated exceptional insight into the growing demand for food beverage solutions while establishing a distinctive approach that would define the food beverage category for generations. The company began as a food business focused on providing quality food products to consumers, leveraging industrial food processing techniques that were innovative for the time. This strategic positioning demonstrated Knorr's exceptional ability to create differentiated food beverage solutions while maintaining consistent brand positioning and quality standards that would define the brand for decades.
Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, Knorr expanded its product range and became known for its bouillon cubes, which were a revolutionary convenience food product that allowed home cooks to easily add flavor to soups, stews, and other dishes. This period of excellence demonstrated Knorr's exceptional ability to scale operations while maintaining consistent brand positioning and quality standards across multiple food beverage segments. The bouillon cube became one of Knorr's signature products and established the brand as a leader in convenience foods. This strategic diversification demonstrated Knorr's exceptional ability to serve multiple consumer segments while maintaining its core brand identity and market leadership in the food beverage industry.
In 2000, Knorr became part of Unilever when the multinational acquired Best Foods, which had owned Knorr. This continued evolution demonstrated Knorr's exceptional ability to maintain market relevance while adapting to changing food beverage requirements and corporate dynamics. This acquisition brought Knorr into Unilever's Foods & Refreshments division and provided the brand with global distribution and marketing resources. This continued excellence demonstrates Knorr's exceptional ability to maintain market leadership while adapting to changing food beverage dynamics and regulatory requirements. This strategic integration demonstrated Knorr's exceptional ability to integrate into larger food beverage corporations while maintaining its core brand identity and cultural significance in the food industry.
Under Unilever ownership, Knorr has continued to innovate and expand its product range, including ready-meals, meal kits, sauces, and seasonings. This continued evolution demonstrated Knorr's exceptional ability to maintain market relevance while adapting to changing food beverage requirements and technological advancements. The brand has also embraced sustainability initiatives, including commitments to regenerative agriculture practices. This continued success represents a significant milestone in the evolution of convenience foods and consumer-focused food solutions. This strategic partnership demonstrated Knorr's exceptional ability to leverage corporate resources while maintaining its distinct food beverage identity and market leadership. This continued excellence demonstrates Knorr's exceptional ability to maintain market leadership while adapting to changing food beverage dynamics and regulatory requirements. This strategic integration demonstrated Knorr's exceptional ability to integrate into larger food beverage corporations while maintaining its core brand identity and cultural significance in the food industry.
About Unilever plc
What does Unilever own?
Unilever owns a portfolio of over 400 brands across four business groups: Beauty and Wellbeing (Dove, Vaseline, TRESemme, Pond's), Personal Care (Axe/Lynx, Rexona/Sure, Lux, Lifebuoy, Close Up), Home Care (Domestos, Cif, Surf, Omo, Comfort), and Nutrition (Knorr, Hellmann's, Lipton, Marmite). Following the 2025 demerger of its Ice Cream business, Unilever no longer owns Magnum, Walls, Ben & Jerry's, or Breyers. The company also owns approximately 61% of Hindustan Unilever Limited, a publicly listed subsidiary in India.
Is Unilever publicly traded?
Yes, Unilever plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange under ticker ULVR and on Euronext Amsterdam under ticker UNA. American Depositary Receipts are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under ticker UL. The company does not have a controlling shareholder, and its shares are held primarily by institutional investors. Unilever simplified its dual-listed structure in 2020, consolidating its legal headquarters in the United Kingdom.
Who founded Unilever?
Unilever was formed in 1929 through the merger of Lever Brothers, a British soap company founded by William Hesketh Lever in 1885, and Margarine Unie, a Dutch margarine producer formed through the merger of the Jurgens and Van den Bergh companies in 1927. The founders of the predecessor companies include William Lever, James Darcy Lever, Antonius Johannes Jurgens, and Samuel van den Bergh.
Where is Unilever headquartered?
Unilever is headquartered in London, United Kingdom. The company's registered office and principal executive offices are located in London. Unilever simplified its dual-listed structure in 2020, consolidating its legal headquarters in the United Kingdom and ending the separate Unilever N.V. Dutch entity. The company's shares continue to trade on both the London Stock Exchange and Euronext Amsterdam.
How many brands does Unilever own?
Unilever owns a portfolio of over 400 brands across four business groups: Beauty and Wellbeing, Personal Care, Home Care, and Nutrition. The company's largest brands by revenue include Dove, Hellmann's, Knorr, Axe/Lynx, Rexona/Sure, Lipton, Vaseline, Domestos, and Cif. Following the 2025 demerger of its Ice Cream business, Unilever's portfolio no longer includes ice cream brands such as Magnum, Walls, Ben & Jerry's, and Breyers.
Who owns Unilever?
Unilever plc is a publicly traded company with no controlling shareholder. The company's shares are held primarily by institutional investors including major asset managers and index funds. No single shareholder holds a majority stake in Unilever. Fernando Fernandez serves as CEO, having been appointed in March 2025 following the departure of Hein Schumacher. The company's board includes a majority of independent non-executive directors.
- Founded: 1929
- Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock: LSE: ULVR
Where Is Knorr Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Heilbronn, Germany
- Manufacturing / Operations: Germany, Global Unilever facilities
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Knorr Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Market leadership in convenience foods backed by Unilever's extensive R&D investment
- +Wide product range including bouillon cubes, sauces, ready-meals, and seasonings
- +Strong global distribution through Unilever's established retail channels
- +Continuous innovation in food technology and sustainable sourcing
- +Premium quality assurance supported by corporate resources and German heritage
Considerations
- -Premium pricing compared to store-brand alternatives
- -Dependency on Unilever's supply chain and corporate policies
- -Environmental impact of processed food packaging
- -Competition from private label brands in the convenience food segment
- -Regulatory scrutiny regarding food labeling and health claims
Frequently Asked Questions About Knorr
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Knorr on AmazonCompetitors to Knorr
No direct competitors found in the same category. This could be because Knorroperates in a unique market segment or we're still building our competitor database.
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