Colman’s Mustard, a condiment brand with deep historical ties to Norwich, has been placed on the market ahead of a proposed merger between Unilever and McCormick, an American food corporation. The transaction is valued at approximately £48 billion.
The mustard company traces its origins to 1814, when Jeremiah Colman founded the business in Stoke Holy Cross. Production subsequently relocated to the Carrow area of Norwich in 1858, where the brand maintained operations for roughly 160 years. During its tenure in Norfolk, the firm developed a comprehensive approach to employee welfare, constructing schools, housing, and healthcare facilities for workers and their families. In 1864, a school was established on Carrow Hill to serve the children of employees, while the company also provided funeral services and built residential properties for staff.
Unilever announced in 2018 that it would cease operations at the Carrow facility. Manufacturing continued until 2019, when the final batch of mustard was produced at the site. The factory subsequently closed in 2020, and the 42-acre property has remained vacant. Unilever has since relocated mustard production to facilities in Burton-on-Trent and Germany. A local business called Condimentum, situated at the Food Enterprise Park near Norwich, has been producing raw materials for the Colman’s brand, maintaining a connection to the region’s manufacturing heritage.
A Unilever representative stated that the decision to market the Colman’s brand and associated assets stems from efforts to address potential regulatory concerns regarding the planned merger with McCormick. As part of the wider transaction, McCormick will acquire control of several established consumer brands, including Hellmann’s, Marmite, Knorr, and Pot Noodle. Notably, McCormick already owns French’s, a leading competitor in the mustard market. Following the merger, Unilever intends to concentrate its operations on home and personal care products, including Dove, Persil, and Lynx. Officials indicated that ongoing discussions continue and regular business operations are proceeding without interruption.
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