Uniq Sells Belgian Salads For €60m

Uniq, the European convenience foods group, today announces the unconditional sale of its Belgian salads business, Uniq Belgium NV, to the Benelux investment group, Gilde, for a total consideration of €60 million (£41 million).

The sale is in line with Uniq's strategy, stated in its announcement on 6 June 2006, that the company intends to focus on those convenience food businesses with the most potential for significant profit improvement and shareholder value creation.

The total consideration of €60 million, less estimated completion balance sheet adjustments of €2.6 million, is payable in cash immediately by Gilde. The net proceeds from the sale, after costs, will be used to reduce Group borrowings.

Uniq Belgium NV is a leading producer of salad products for the Belgian market. The company is based in Turnhout, North Belgium. The business being sold made EBIT of €6.2 million (£4.2 million) in the year to the 31 March 2006 and at that date had gross assets of €58 million (£41 million). Uniq Belgium will continue its activities under the new name Hamal Signature NV.

Geoff Eaton, Group Chief Executive said;

"This is another step in our plans to unlock the potential of Uniq by focusing on those businesses which we believe have the highest potential for improvement in profit and value for shareholders."

For further information:

Julian Walker
Gainsborough Communications
Telephone No. +44 (0) 207 190 1705

Martin Beer
Uniq Plc
Telephone No. +44 (0) 1753 276011