A corporate mission
In the 1890s, William Heskith Lever, founder of Lever Bros, conceived the idea for Sunlight Soap - a revolutionary new product that helped popularize cleanliness and hygiene in Victorian England. Its purpose was 'to make cleanliness commonplace; to lessen work for women; to foster health and contribute to personal attractiveness, that life may be more enjoyable and rewarding for the people who use our products.'
Decades before the phrase 'Corporate Mission' became popular, these ideas became the heart of our business.
A promise that endures
Lever's language - and the notion of only women doing housework - has become outdated. But, at Unilever, his promise to help people get more out of life endures.
Through three centuries, Unilever's success has been influenced by the major events of the day - economic booms, depressions, world wars, changing consumer lifestyles and advances in technology, to name a few. Throughout, Unilever has created products that respond to the times - products that improve nutrition, provide enjoyment and cut the time people spend on household chores and taking care of their homes, clothes and themselves.
A promise to our world
From the late 19th century on, the businesses that would later become Unilever were among the most philanthropic of their time. They set up projects to improve conditions for their workers, created products with a positive social impact, made hygiene and personal care commonplace, and improved nutrition by adding vitamins to foods that were already daily staples.
Today, Unilever still believes that success means acting with the highest standards of corporate behavior toward its employees, consumers, investors, and the societies and world in which we live. Over the years, we've launched or participated in an ever-growing range of initiatives to source sustainable supplies of raw materials, protect environments, support local communities and much more.
A promise for today & tomorrow
Now, at the beginning of the 21st century, our mission of vitality is taking us into a new phase of development. More than ever, our brands are helping people feel good, look good, and get more out of life - just as Lord William Lever had envisioned more than 100 years ago.
