The Magnum Ice Cream Company presents strategic plan and financial ambition
Key investment highlights:
- The Magnum Ice Cream Company to become the only global pure-play listed company in the large, growing and resilient ice cream market, which has attractive returns
- Largest ice cream company in the world with 160 years of expertise and heritage
- A portfolio well positioned for growth with strong brands, leading capabilities and world-class innovations, run by a highly experienced leadership team with a strong industry track record
- Clear strategy to deliver growth and improve productivity
- Revamped front-line first organisation with a winning culture and incentives aligned to medium-term plan
Summary of medium-term financial outlook:
- Average annual Organic Sales Growth of 3-5% in the medium-term1 from 2026
- Average annual Adjusted EBITDA margin improvement 40-60bps in the medium-term1 from 2026
- Free Cash Flow of €0.8bn - €1bn in 2028 and 2029
- Sustainability strategy anchored in a 2050 net zero ambition, advancing resilient supply chains, responsible sourcing and packaging and driving innovation, product safety and wellbeing
1 Organic sales growth and Adjusted EBITDA margin improvement plan does not apply to any individual year, but is an average over the medium-term
Amsterdam, 9th September 2025 - The Magnum Ice Cream Company (TMICC), the largest ice cream company in the world, will today host its first Capital Markets Day (CMD) for investors and analysts in London. During this event, TMICC management will present its business, strategy and financial framework ahead of the planned demerger from Unilever PLC (Unilever) and standalone listing, both of which are expected to complete by mid-November. Following the demerger, shares of TMICC will start trading in Amsterdam, London and New York2.
Jean-François van Boxmeer, Chair Designate, TMICC: 'This CMD marks an important step in the demerger process from Unilever. Since taking the role of Chair Designate earlier this year, I have been inspired by the expertise and commitment of the executive team and the wider group of employees the world over. As the clear global leader in a growing category, The Magnum Ice Cream Company has the scale, the expertise and, most importantly, the strategy to drive an already outstanding business towards further success for all stakeholders.'
Peter ter Kulve, Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director, TMICC: 'We are proud to share our strategy for The Magnum Ice Cream Company with the financial markets during our first CMD. Our global portfolio of iconic market-leading brands, world class distribution network and track record of industry-leading innovation, together with our passionate and expert people, position us perfectly to deliver unforgettable moments for the customers who love our products and value for our shareholders. Together, we will build on our heritage, drive sustainable growth and bring the joy of ice cream to even more people around the world.'
The full CMD presentation is available on the TMICC demerger section of the Unilever Investor Relations website ahead of the CMD, which can be followed online from 12:30BST today. A summary of the equity story and key financial highlights are provided below.
TMICC: A global leader in a large, growing and resilient market
TMICC will become the only pure-play listed company in ice cream. The global ice cream market is estimated at €75bn and is part of the €470bn global snacking market. The ice cream market has grown consistently at a CAGR of 3-4% per year on average over the past ten years, with attractive returns.
Largest ice cream company in the world
TMICC is the global market leader in the ice cream category with 160 years of expertise and heritage. In 2024, the company generated €7.9bn in revenue and €1.3bn of Adjusted EBITDA. TMICC owns 4 of the 5 biggest ice cream brands worldwide, operates a market-leading ~3 million freezer cabinets and has a global retail market share of approximately 21%.
TMICC has consistently led innovation in the ice cream category. TMICC’s brands have influenced when and how ice cream is consumed around the world today. TMICC’s innovation track-record started early in its history, with the introduction of the Popsicle brand as the first frozen, flavoured ice pop on a stick. In the 1980s and 1990s, Ben & Jerry’s drove growth in the market for premium ice cream offered in pint-sized and smaller containers, which have subsequently become a staple in supermarkets worldwide. The introduction of the Magnum brand launched an icon of indulgence, which continues to shape the market with new formats and occasions.
Portfolio well-positioned for growth
TMICC offers an extensive range of ice cream products across all channels, price points, snacking occasions and demand moments, with tastes and product formats tailored to regional consumer preferences. It has a balanced footprint across regions with a good mix of global power brands such as Magnum, Ben & Jerry’s, Cornetto and the Heart-brand, plus local heroes including Breyers, Klondike and Popsicle.
Clear strategy to deliver growth and improve productivity
Growth: TMICC has a clear strategy to accelerate organic growth and improve productivity. The company expects to accelerate its organic sales growth through:
· Growing the number of ice cream occasions with market-making innovations
· Competitive TMICC pricing strategy across all snacking price points
· International roll-out of premium brands
· Dynamic, digital-led demand creation
· Expansion of availability across channels
Productivity: The company has a productivity program which is expected to deliver cumulative gross savings of €500m in the medium term, fuelling growth and margin expansion, driven by:
· Supply chain transformation: End-to-end network optimisation, driving a step-change in manufacturing productivity and increasing procurement efficiency, expected to deliver €350-380m in savings
· Overheads reduction: Lower overheads expense as a standalone company than operating as a division through a de-layered front-line focused organisation with lean headquarters and end-to-end P&L accountability in markets is expected to result in €70-100m in savings
· Tech-enabled productivity: An efficient and fit for purpose tech infrastructure, scaling and leveraging Global Business Solutions, expected to achieve €30-50m in savings
The program is well on track and the company has already delivered savings of €150m over the last 18 months.
Reinvestment: TMICC plans to step-up capex to drive growth and productivity, as well as enable re-investment in advertising and promotion to fuel sustainable growth. As such, it expects capex as a % of sales to increase to ~5% of revenues in the medium-term before stabilising between 4-5% over the long-term.
Balanced capital allocation policy
TMICC’s balanced capital allocation policy is focused on delivering organic growth, productivity and cash.
The company has a stable dividend policy, with a pay-out ratio of 40-60% of net income after adjusting items, with the first dividend to be paid in 2027 for FY 20263.
TMICC is expected to have an initial net debt / Adjusted EBITDA ratio of 2.4x4. TMICC plans a medium-term net debt / Adjusted EBITDA leverage ratio of 2.0 to 2.5x, while maintaining a solid investment-grade credit rating.
Summary of medium-term financial outlook:
· Average annual Organic Sales Growth of 3-5% in the medium-term5 from 2026
· Average annual Adjusted EBITDA margin improvement 40-60bps in the medium-term5 from 2026
· Free Cash Flow of €0.8bn - €1bn in 2028 and 2029
Focused sustainability strategy
TMICC has a focused sustainability strategy that enables growth, strengthens resilience and delivers meaningful business impact and value. The strategy is anchored in a 2050 net zero ambition, advancing resilient supply chains to future-proof the supply of key commodities, responsible sourcing and packaging and driving innovation, product safety and wellbeing.
Revamped front-line first organization with a winning culture and incentives aligned to the medium-term plan
The 13 executive committee members of TMICC bring more than 325 years of experience, including more than 60 years specifically in the Ice Cream business.
TMICC has established a front-line first organisation to drive accountability and profitable growth in markets, with individual markets having P&L and cash accountability and responsibility for end-to-end success in their respective markets. Incentives are aligned to delivery of the medium-term plan as well as share appreciation.
Demerger process
The Magnum Ice Cream Company is already operating as a standalone company within the Unilever group from 1st July 2025. The demerger of TMICC from Unilever to become a separate, listed company is on track to be completed in mid-November 2025.
Upon demerger, Unilever will retain a <20% stake in TMICC, subject to regulatory approvals, for a period of up to five years. Over time, the retained stake will be sold down by Unilever in an orderly and considered manner to pay its separation costs and for it to maintain capital flexibility through a reduction in net debt. The retained stake demonstrates Unilever’s support and belief in TMICC.
Applications will be made for ordinary shares in TMICC to be listed in Amsterdam, London and New York, on the same three exchanges on which Unilever’s ordinary shares and American Depositary Shares are currently traded. TMICC is incorporated and headquartered in the Netherlands.
Notes to editors:
- Webcast agenda (all times BST):
| 12:30 | Presentations from management on Strategy, Growth levers, Productivity plan and People and Culture, including Q&A |
| 14:15 | Presentations on the Regions |
| 16:00 | Presentations from management on Financials and Outlook, including Q&A |
| 17:15 | Conclusion and wrap up |
2 Subject to regulatory approvals.
3 Subject to approval by the TMICC Board.
4 Net leverage includes dedicated acquisition financing facility for the acquisition of Kwality Walls India Limited, expected to complete in H1 2026.
5 Organic sales growth and Adjusted EBITDA margin improvement plan does not apply to any individual year, but is an average over the medium-term.