Unilever to purchase Camay and Zest from Procter and Gamble

Unilever has announced an agreement to purchase a pair of skin cleansing brands from fellow consumer goods giant Procter and Gamble.

The deal will see Unilever take ownership of the Camay brand globally and the Zest brand outside of North America and the Caribbean. The transaction is expected to close during the first half of 2015 subject to necessary regulatory approvals.

Also included in the sale arrangement is a bar soap manufacturing facility operated by Procter and Gamble in Mexico. The plant employs approximately 170 people, all of whom will transfer to Unilever following the completion of the deal.

The move gives Unilever control of two brands with a turnover of $225 million (144.97 million pounds) in the last fiscal year.

Alan Jope, president of Unilever's personal care business, said: "We are excited about the acquisition of the Zest and Camay brands. They represent an excellent strategic fit for us and will further strengthen our global position in skin cleansing."

This follows the company's acquisition of the US desserts manufacturer Talenti Gelato and Sorbetto earlier this month.