Unilever will not need acquisitions to meet its target of doubling revenues, Paul Polman, chief executive, has said, in effect pledging annual organic growth of an industry-trumping 7 per cent to 8 per cent.
Revenues at the Anglo-Dutch maker of Dove soap and Lipton tea have remained steady at about €40bn-€45bn ($57bn-$65bn) for the past decade. Mr Polman, who was poached from Nestlé to take up the reins in early 2009, pledged to double that in part to galvanise jaded employees and investors.
Nonetheless, markets are watching closely to see if he can deliver. While there is no time frame, most analysts reckon on about a decade and many assume mergers and acquisitions will be a necessary prop.