Table of Contents

 

 

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 11-K

 

ANNUAL REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(D) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

(Mark One)

x                                                       ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010

 

OR

 

o                                                          TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.

 

For the transition period from                                   to                                   

 

Commission File Number 333-151802

 

A.                     Full title of the plan and the address of the plan, if different from that of the issuer named below:

 

SAVINGS PLAN FOR UNION EMPLOYEES OF UNILEVER

 

UNILEVER UNITED STATES, INC.
800 SYLVAN AVENUE
ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, NEW JERSEY 07632

 

B.                       Name of issuer of the securities held pursuant to the plan and the address of its principal executive office:

 

UNILEVER N.V.

WEENA 455

3013 AL, ROTTERDAM

THE NETHERLANDS

 

 

 



Table of Contents

 

Savings Plan for Union Employees of Unilever

 

Index

 

 

 

Page(s)

 

 

 

Financial Statements and Supplemental Schedule:

 

 

 

 

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

1

 

 

 

Financial Statements

 

 

 

 

 

Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits as of December 31, 2010 and 2009

 

2

 

 

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009

 

3

 

 

 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

4–20

 

 

 

Supplemental Schedule (*)

 

 

 

 

 

Schedule H – Line 4i – Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year)

 

21

 


(*)

Other supplemental schedules required by 29 CFR 2520.103-10 of the Department of Labor’s Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 have not been included as they are not applicable.

 

 

 

Signatures

 

22

 

Exhibit Index:

 

 

23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 



Table of Contents

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Participants and Administrator of the
Savings Plan for Union Employees of Unilever

 

In our opinion, the accompanying statements of net assets available for benefits and the related statements of changes in net assets available for benefits present fairly, in all material respects, the net assets available for benefits of the Savings Plan for Union Employees of Unilever (the “Plan”) at December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, and the changes in net assets available for benefits for the years then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  These financial statements are the responsibility of the Plan’s management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.  We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

Our audits were conducted for the purpose of forming an opinion on the basic financial statements taken as a whole.  The supplemental schedule of assets (held at end of year) is presented for the purpose of additional analysis and is not a required part of the basic financial statements but is supplementary information required by the Department of Labor’s Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.  This supplemental schedule is the responsibility of the Plan’s management.  The supplemental schedule has been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the audits of the basic financial statements and, in our opinion, is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole.

 

 

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

 

 

Florham Park, New Jersey

June 15, 2011

 

1



Table of Contents

 

Savings Plan for Union Employees of Unilever

Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits

As of December 31, 2010 and 2009

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Investment in the Unilever United States, Inc. Master Trust, at fair value

 

$

114,846,891

 

$

113,235,470

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Receivables

 

 

 

 

 

Notes receivable from participants

 

4,675,839

 

4,332,079

 

Participant contributions

 

67,356

 

61,336

 

Employer contributions

 

31,583

 

26,548

 

Net assets, at fair value

 

119,621,669

 

117,655,433

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjustment from fair value to contract value for interest in the Master Trust relating to fully benefit-responsive investment contracts

 

(3,238,599

)

(2,636,362

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets available for benefits

 

$

116,383,070

 

$

115,019,071

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

2



Table of Contents

 

Savings Plan for Union Employees of Unilever

Statements of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits

For the Years Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

Additions

 

 

 

 

 

Additions to net assets attributed to:

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income from Plan interest in Unilever United States, Inc. Master Trust

 

$

8,603,200

 

$

12,820,668

 

Interest from notes receivable from participants

 

229,833

 

280,022

 

Contributions and other additions:

 

 

 

 

 

Contributions from participants

 

4,082,092

 

4,183,951

 

Contributions from employer

 

1,784,857

 

1,816,004

 

Rollover contributions

 

28,282

 

108,516

 

Total additions

 

14,728,264

 

19,209,161

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deductions

 

 

 

 

 

Deductions to net assets attributed to:

 

 

 

 

 

Benefits paid to participants

 

13,357,540

 

12,550,190

 

Administrative expenses

 

6,725

 

7,025

 

Total deductions

 

13,364,265

 

12,557,215

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net increase before transfer

 

1,363,999

 

6,651,946

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transfer from UNICare Savings Plan

 

 

4,641

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net increase

 

1,363,999

 

6,656,587

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets available for benefits

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning of year

 

115,019,071

 

108,362,484

 

End of year

 

$

116,383,070

 

$

115,019,071

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

3



Table of Contents

 

Savings Plan for Union Employees of Unilever

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2010 and 2009

 

1.                          Description of the Plan

 

The Savings Plan for Union Employees of Unilever (the “Plan”) is a defined contribution plan that is subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”).  The Plan’s sponsor is Conopco, Inc. (the “Company”).  Assets of the Plan along with assets from the UNICare Savings Plan, an affiliated plan, sponsored by Unilever United States, Inc., the parent of the Company (“Unilever US”), are maintained in the Unilever United States, Inc. Master Trust (the “Master Trust”).   The following brief description of the Plan is provided for general information purposes only.  Participants should refer to the summary plan description for more complete information.

 

Eligibility

All employees at the Hammond, Indiana plant represented by the United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy and Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union Local 7-0336 (“Hammond plant”) are eligible to become participants of the Plan after the completion of 90 days of continuous service.

 

All employees at the Atlanta, Georgia plant represented by the Bakery, Confectionery and Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International AFL-CIO Local 42 (“Atlanta plant”), and the Olathe, Kansas plant represented by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 41 or the International Union of Operating Engineers AFL-CIO Local 101-S (“Olathe plant”) were eligible to become participants of the Plan upon the date of hire.

 

All employees located at the Baltimore, Maryland plant represented by the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union AFL-CIO Local 27 (“Baltimore plant”) are eligible to become participants of the Plan after the completion of 60 days of continuous service.

 

All employees located at the Chicago, Illinois plant represented by the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union AFL-CIO, CLC Local 399 or the International Union of Operating Engineers AFL-CIO Local 100A (“Chicago plant”) who are at least 18 years old are eligible to become participants of the Plan after the completion of 45 days of service.

 

All employees at the Independence, Missouri plant represented by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 838 (“Independence plant”) are eligible to become participants of the Plan after the completion of one year of service.

 

All employees at the Hagerstown, Maryland plant represented by the United Steel Workers of America AFL-CIO-CLC Local 9836 (“Hagerstown plant”), the Huntington, Indiana plant represented by the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, UFCW AFL-CIO and its United Dairy Workers Local 835 (“Huntington plant”), and the St. Albans, Vermont plant represented by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 300 (“St Albans plant”), scheduled to work twenty or more hours a week are eligible to participate in the Plan as of date of hire.  Employees who are not regularly scheduled to work twenty or more hours a week can participate in the Plan after completing one year of service.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Savings Plan for Union Employees of Unilever

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2010 and 2009

 

Contributions

Plan participants are permitted to make voluntary contributions to the Plan through payroll deductions.  Before-tax contributions, representing 401(k) contributions are deposited in a “before-tax account” and after-tax contributions, where applicable, are deposited in an “after-tax account.”  Before-tax contributions are limited to $16,500 for both 2010 and 2009.

 

Participants who will be age 50 or older by the end of the Plan year are eligible to make before-tax catch-up contributions.  Catch-up contributions are limited to $5,500 for eligible employees for both 2010 and 2009.

 

The permitted contributions vary for each collective bargaining unit at the discretion of the Company and range from 1%-15% to 1%-20% of eligible compensation through payroll deductions on a before-tax basis, after-tax basis, respectively, or a combination of both provided that the maximum participant contribution to the before-tax and after-tax accounts do not exceed 15% to 20% of eligible compensation.

 

The Company matches contributions made by participants.  Company matching contributions vary for each collective bargaining unit at the discretion of the Company and range from 25% of 4% to 100% of 5% of eligible earnings participants elect to contribute.

 

All collective bargaining employees at the St. Albans plant hired on or after January 1, 2007, at the Hammond plant hired on or after January 12, 2007, at the Huntington plant hired on or after June 30, 2007, at the Baltimore plant hired on or after April 1, 2008, the Olathe plant represented by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 41 hired on or after June 1, 2008, at the Chicago plant represented by the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union AFL-CIO, CLC Local 399 hired on or after November 22, 2008, at the Chicago plant represented by the International Union of Operating Engineers AFL-CIO Local 100A hired on or after December 16, 2008 and the Atlanta plant represented by the Bakery, Confectionery and Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International AFL-CIO Local 42 are eligible to receive non-elective contributions of 4% of compensation after one year of service.

 

Participant Accounts

Each participant’s account is credited with: (a) the participant’s contribution; (b) the Company’s contribution; and (c) an allocation of Plan earnings (losses) and administrative expenses.  Allocations are based on participant earnings or account balances, as defined in the Plan.  The benefit to which a participant is entitled is the benefit that can be provided from the vested portion of the participant’s account.  At December 31, 2010 and 2009, there were 1,511 and 1,600 participants with account balances in the Plan, respectively.

 

Vesting

Participants are fully vested in all of their before-tax and after-tax contributions as well as the earnings thereon.

 

Vesting of matching and non-elective contributions, made by the Company, varies for each collective bargaining unit at the discretion of the Company.  Collective bargaining units achieve full vesting from the date of hire through three years of service.

 

Non-elective contributions vest after 3 years of service, upon attainment of age 65, death from active status or disability for all participants receiving non-elective employer contributions.

 

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Savings Plan for Union Employees of Unilever

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2010 and 2009

 

The balance of forfeitures was $14,308 and $2,992 as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  Amounts forfeited by non-vested participants who terminated employment during the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 were $10,992 and $2,879, respectively.  Forfeitures reduced Company matching contributions and Company non-elective contributions in the amount of $0 and $8,078 for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

 

Payment of Benefits

Provisions for the withdrawal of contributions of active participants vary for each collective bargaining unit at the discretion of the Company and include in-service withdrawals of the after-tax account, prior plan profit sharing account, portion of company matching account on deposit for 2 years, before-tax account for reasons of hardship provided the withdrawal does not exceed the amount of the hardship, and before-tax account and company matching account following attainment of age 59.5.

 

Upon termination of employment, participants are entitled to all of their vested balances and must receive their full balance upon reaching the age of 65.

 

Retired employees may elect to leave their account balances in the Plan until they attain age 70.5 at which time Internal Revenue Service regulations require minimum distributions to be made. Failure to make a voluntary election to defer payment will result in a total distribution of vested Plan balances at age 65.

 

Participants who retire under the provisions of certain defined benefit plans sponsored by the Company may, under certain conditions, roll over their lump sum distribution to the Plan.

 

Investments

Participants have the option to invest in, and direct the Company matching contributions towards a wide variety of funds including stable value, fixed income, balanced, equity and the Unilever N.V. Stock Fund.  The funds offered by the Plan are as follows:

 

·                INVESCO (also known as PRIMCO) Interest Income Fund.

This fund is primarily invested in a diversified portfolio of investment contracts issued by high quality financial institutions such as insurance companies and banks.  Each contract has its own specific terms, including interest rate and maturity date.  The crediting interest rates at December 31, 2010 and 2009 for the contracts range from .21% to 5.57% and .25% to 5.71%, respectively.  The average weighted crediting interest rates at December 31, 2010 and 2009 for the contracts are 4.17% and 4.31%, respectively.

 

·               PIMCO Total Return Fund Institutional Class

 

·               Unilever N.V. Stock Fund, Fidelity Contrafund

 

·               American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund (R5)

 

·               Northern Trust Total US Equity Index Fund

 

·               Northern Trust International Equity Index Fund

 

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Savings Plan for Union Employees of Unilever

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2010 and 2009

 

·                  The following Vanguard Target Retirement Trusts: Vanguard Target Retirement Income Trust II, Vanguard Target Retirement 2005 Trust II, Vanguard Target Retirement 2010 Trust II, Vanguard Target Retirement 2015 Trust II, Vanguard Target Retirement 2020 Trust II, Vanguard Target Retirement 2025 Trust II, Vanguard Target Retirement 2030 Trust II, Vanguard Target Retirement 2035 Trust II, Vanguard Target Retirement 2040 Trust II, Vanguard Target Retirement 2045 Trust II, and Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Trust II.

 

·                  Self directed brokerage accounts, whereby the participant is able to select from approximately 4,600 mutual funds.  As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, $65,794,037 and $55,992,119, respectively was invested through the brokerage accounts at the Master Trust level.  As of December 31, 2010, the brokerage account consisted of $58,681,935 and $7,112,102 in mutual funds and short-term investments, respectively.  As of December 31, 2009, the brokerage account consisted of $49,367,799 and $6,554,320 in mutual funds and short-term investments, respectively.  As of December 31, 2010 and 2009 $4,551,275 and $4,072,217, respectively, of the Master Trust brokerage account is held by the Plan.

 

Notes Receivable from Participants

At the request of Plan participants, loans are permitted up to the lesser of $50,000 reduced by the largest outstanding loan balance in the previous 12 months or one-half of the participants’ vested interest in their accounts less any outstanding loans.  Loans bear interest at a fixed rate based on the Reuters published prime rate plus one percent, adjusted quarterly. Loans relating to the acquisition or construction of a participant’s principal residence are to be repaid within fifteen years.  All other loans are required to be repaid within five years.

 

Interest rates ranging from 4.25% to 9.25% and 4.25% to 10.50% were charged on the loans for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

 

For participants that were transferred from the Ben and Jerry’s Homemade Plan in 2006, loans relating to the acquisition or construction of a participant’s principal residence are to be repaid within thirty years.  All other loans are required to be repaid within five years.

 

Administration

The Plan provides that the Benefits Administration Committee is responsible for the general administration of the Plan.

 

2.                          Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Basis of Accounting

The financial statements of the Plan are prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in conformity with the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).

 

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made in the amounts presented for 2009 to conform to the current presentation.

 

Valuation of Plan Investments and Income Recognition

The assets of the Plan have been commingled in the Master Trust with the assets of the UniCare Savings Plan for investment and administrative purposes.  The investment in the Master Trust represents the Plan’s interest in the net assets of the Master Trust.  The Plan’s investment is stated

 

7



Table of Contents

 

Savings Plan for Union Employees of Unilever

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2010 and 2009

 

at fair value and is based on the beginning of the year value of the Plan’s interest in the Master Trust plus contributions and allocated investment income (loss) less distributions and allocated expenses.

 

The Plan presents in the Statements of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits the investment income (loss) for the Plan’s interest in the Master Trust, which consists of its allocated share of investment income and (loss), realized gains and losses, and the change in unrealized appreciation and depreciation from the Master Trust.

 

The Plan’s interest in the Master Trust is the sole investment representing more than 5 percent of the Plan’s net assets available for benefits as of December 31, 2010 and 2009.

 

Investment Contracts (See Also Note 4)

The Plan accounts for synthetic guaranteed investment contracts at contract value in accordance with Topic 946, Financial Services — Investment Companies (“ASC 946”) of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (the “Codification”).  ASC 946 clarifies the definition of fully benefit-responsive investment contracts for contracts held by defined contribution plans along with the financial statement presentation and disclosure of such contracts.  Investment contracts held by a defined contribution plan are required to be reported at fair value.  However, contract value is the relevant measurement attribute for that portion of the net assets available for benefits of a defined contribution plan attributable to fully benefit-responsive investment contracts because contract value is the amount participants would receive if they were to initiate permitted transactions under the terms of the Plan.  As required by ASC 946, the accompanying Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits present the fair value of the investment contracts as well as the adjustment of the fully benefit-responsive investment contracts from fair value to contract value.  The accompanying Statements of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits are prepared on a contract value basis.

 

Notes Receivable from Participants

Loans receivable from participants are valued at their unpaid principal balance plus any accrued but unpaid interest.

 

Benefit Payments

Benefit payments are recorded when paid and include deemed distributions of $14,872 and $16,980 for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

 

Administrative Expenses

Investment management fees for all funds are included as a reduction of investment income and certain professional fees are paid by the Plan.  All other administrative expenses are paid by the Company.

 

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and changes therein, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements.  These significant estimates include fair market values of investments.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

8



Table of Contents

 

Savings Plan for Union Employees of Unilever

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2010 and 2009

 

Risks and Uncertainties

The Plan provides for various investment options in any combination of stocks, commingled funds, mutual funds, and other investment securities.  Investment securities are exposed to various risks, such as interest rate, market and credit.  Due to the level of risk associated with certain investment securities and the level of uncertainty related to changes in the value of investment securities, it is at least reasonably possible that changes in risks in the near term would materially affect participants’ account balances and the amounts reported in the December 31, 2010 and 2009 Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits.

 

The Master Trust is exposed to credit loss in the event of non-performance by the companies with whom guaranteed investment contracts are placed.  However, the Plan does not anticipate non-performance by these companies and believes that the risk to the Master Trust portfolio from credit loss is not material due to the diversified nature of assets held.

 

Effects of New Accounting Pronouncements

In January 2010, the FASB issued Update 2010-06 — Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements, to Topic 820 (“ASC 820”) of the Codification.  This guidance requires: (i) separate disclosure of significant transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 and reasons for the transfers; (ii) disclosure, on a gross basis, of purchases, sales, issuances, and net settlements within Level 3; (iii) disclosures by class of assets and liabilities; and (iv) a description of the valuation techniques and inputs used to measure fair value for both recurring and nonrecurring fair value measurements. The Plan adopted the guidance for Level 1 and 2 in its December 31, 2010 financial statements.  Net assets available for benefits of the Plan were not affected by the adoption of the new guidance.  The Plan does not anticipate any impact of the Level 3 disclosure requirements, which will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010.

 

In September 2010, the FASB issued Update 2010-25 — Reporting Loans to Participants by Defined Contribution Pension Plans.  This guidance clarifies the classification and measurement of participant loans by defined contribution pension plans.  Participant loans are required to be classified as notes receivable from participants (rather than investments) and measured at their unpaid principal balance, plus any accrued but unpaid interest.  The guidance, which must be applied retrospectively, is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2010.  The Plan adopted this guidance in its December 31, 2010 financial statements.  Net Assets Available for Benefits of the Plan were not affected by the adoption of the new guidance.

 

3.                          Tax Status of the Plan

 

The Plan received an updated favorable tax determination letter dated May 4, 2009 in which the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) stated that the Plan, as then designed, was in compliance with the applicable requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).  Although the Plan has been amended since then, the Plan administrator and the Plan’s legal counsel believe that the Plan is currently designed and being operated in compliance with the applicable requirements of the Code.  Therefore, no provision for income taxes has been included in the Plan’s financial statements.  The IRS reserves the right to perform a review of the Plan’s tax status.

 

GAAP requires Plan management to evaluate tax positions taken by the Plan and recognize a tax liability if the Plan has taken an uncertain position that more likely than not would not be sustained upon examination by the IRS or the Department of Labor.  The Plan administrator has

 

9



Table of Contents

 

Savings Plan for Union Employees of Unilever

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2010 and 2009

 

analyzed the tax positions taken by the Plan, and has concluded that as of December 31, 2010, there are no uncertain positions taken or expected to be taken that would require recognition of a liability or disclosure in the financial statements.  The Plan is subject to routine audits by taxing jurisdictions; however, there are currently no audits for any tax periods in progress.  The Plan administrator believes it is no longer subject to tax examinations for years prior to 2007.

 

4.                          Investments Held by the Master Trust

 

At December 31, 2010 and 2009, the Master Trust comprises the investment assets of the Plan and UNICare Savings Plan, affiliated plans of Unilever US.  The Plan has a 7.0% and a 7.3% interest in the investments of the Master Trust as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  The UNICare Savings Plan comprises approximately 93.0% and 92.7%, respectively, of the investments held by the Master Trust as of December 31, 2010 and 2009.  Certain investment assets of the Master Trust, related earnings (losses) and expenses are allocated to the plans participating in the Master Trust based upon the total of each individual participant’s share of the Master Trust.

 

The Plan’s approximate share of various investments held by the Master Trust at December 31, 2010 and 2009 were as follows:

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term investment funds

 

7.3

%

9.0

%

Mutual funds

 

4.6

%

4.5

%

Commingled funds

 

5.6

%

5.6

%

Unilever N.V. stock

 

7.3

%

7.7

%

Synthetic guaranteed investment contracts

 

10.2

%

10.3

%

 

As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, the investment categories of the Master Trust were as follows:

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

Investments, at fair value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term investment funds

 

$

16,230,149

 

$

17,720,608

 

Mutual funds

 

226,771,673

 

194,534,713

 

Commingled funds

 

767,068,293

 

687,740,967

 

Unilever N.V. stock

 

58,823,549

 

62,072,868

 

Synthetic guaranteed investment contracts

 

554,632,386

 

576,134,272

 

Master Trust investments, at fair value

 

1,623,526,050

 

1,538,203,428

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjustment to contract value

 

(31,874,217

)

(25,507,248

)

Net amount

 

$

1,591,651,833

 

$

1,512,696,180

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

Savings Plan for Union Employees of Unilever

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2010 and 2009

 

The following investments represent 5 percent or more of the Master Trust’s net assets as of December 31, 2010 and 2009:

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

Commingled funds

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vanguard Target Retirement 2015 Trust II, 4,015,487 and 4,346,980 shares, respectively

 

$

80,831,753

*

$

77,767,480

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vanguard Target Retirement 2020 Trust II, 6,537,833 and 6,864,325 shares, respectively

 

$

126,180,171

 

$

117,036,739

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vanguard Target Retirement 2025 Trust II, 7,407,531 and 7,640,130 shares, respectively

 

$

137,483,777

 

$

124,610,518

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vanguard Target Retirement 2030 Trust II, 7,059,501 and 7,233,682 shares, respectively

 

$

125,729,713

 

$

112,556,087

 

 


* Less than 5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synthetic guaranteed investment contracts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

JP Morgan Chase Contract #441619-IAAA

 

$

97,169,562

 

$

100,000,317

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

State Street Bank and Trust Company Contract #103108

 

$

93,353,929

 

$

96,050,826

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NATIXIS Financial Contract #1419-01

 

$

118,903,126

 

$

126,484,508

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pacific Life Insurance Contract #G27253.01.0001

 

$

90,050,487

 

$

91,840,962

 

 

11



Table of Contents

 

Savings Plan for Union Employees of Unilever

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2010 and 2009

 

As of December 31, 2010, the fully benefit-responsive contracts of the Master Trust were as follows:

 

 

 

Major

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

credit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ratings

 

Investments,

 

Adjustment to

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

at fair value

 

contract value

 

JP Morgan Chase (IGT PIMCO AAA or Better Intermediate Fund)

 

 

AA+

 

$

97,169,562

 

$

(8,693,015

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

State Street Bank (IGT WAM AAA or Better Intermediate Fund)

 

 

AA

 

93,353,929

 

(6,570,883

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bank of America (IGT PIMCO AAA or Better Intermediate Fund)

 

 

AA-

 

50,146,280

 

(2,638,630

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bank of America (IGT WAM AAA or Better Intermediate Fund)

 

 

AA-

 

49,895,506

 

(2,417,369

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NATIXIS Capital Markets (IGT Short-term Bond Fund)

 

 

AA-

 

118,903,126

 

(5,300,167

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ING Life & Annuity (IGT Short-term Bond Fund)

 

 

A

 

55,113,496

 

(2,286,539

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pacific Life Insurance (IGT Short-term Bond Fund)

 

 

A+

 

90,050,487

 

(3,967,614

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

554,632,386

 

$

(31,874,217

)

 

12



Table of Contents

 

Savings Plan for Union Employees of Unilever

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2010 and 2009

 

As of December 31, 2009, the fully benefit-responsive contracts of the Master Trust were as follows:

 

 

 

Major

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

credit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ratings

 

Investments,

 

Adjustment to

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

at fair value

 

contract value

 

JP Morgan Chase (IGT PIMCO AAA or Better Intermediate Fund)

 

 

AA+

 

$

100,000,317

 

$

(8,675,107

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

State Street Bank (IGT WAM AAA or Better Intermediate Fund)

 

 

AA

 

96,050,826

 

(5,708,036

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bank of America (IGT PIMCO AAA or Better Intermediate Fund)

 

 

A+

 

51,525,372

 

(1,802,466

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bank of America (IGT WAM AAA or Better Intermediate Fund)

 

 

A+

 

51,578,365

 

(1,831,904

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NATIXIS Capital Markets (IGT Short-term Bond Fund)

 

 

A+

 

126,484,508

 

(3,492,656

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ING Life & Annuity (IGT Short-term Bond Fund)

 

 

A+

 

58,653,924

 

(1,422,361

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pacific Life Insurance (IGT Invesco Short-term Bond Fund)

 

 

AA-

 

91,840,960

 

(2,574,718

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

576,134,272

 

$

(25,507,248

)

 

The investment income (loss), net of investment expenses, of the Master Trust net assets for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 were as follows:

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

Net appreciation (depreciation) in fair value of net investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mutual funds

 

$

18,195,513

 

$

29,716,064

 

Unilever N.V. stock

 

(1,791,965

)

15,314,827

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commingled funds

 

92,617,657

 

141,962,778

 

Net appreciation

 

109,021,205

 

186,993,669

 

Interest

 

21,975,092

 

22,593,166

 

Dividends

 

10,519,582

 

7,389,654

 

Total net investment income

 

$

141,515,879

 

$

216,976,489

 

 

13



Table of Contents

 

Savings Plan for Union Employees of Unilever

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2010 and 2009

 

Investment valuation and income recognition of Master Trust

Master Trust investments are stated at fair value.  Investments in mutual funds are valued at the published net asset value of shares held at year end.  Investments in commingled funds are stated at fair value based on unit values provided by the administrator, which are based on market values of underlying investments.  Unilever N.V. common stock is valued at the last close price at end of the year. Short-term investments are valued at amortized cost, which is cost plus accrued interest, which approximates fair value.  Investment contracts are stated at fair value based on the sum of the fair value of the underlying investments and the fair value of the wrapper.

 

Purchases and sales of securities are recorded as of the trade date.  Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date and interest is recorded on the accrual basis.

 

Investment income (loss) for the Master Trust includes net appreciation (depreciation) of investments, as well as, interest and dividends from investments.  The net appreciation (depreciation) of investments held in the Master Trust consists of the realized gains (losses) and the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on these investments.

 

Investment Contracts

The Master Trust entered into benefit-responsive investment contracts, such as synthetic guaranteed investment contracts (“GICs”), with various third party financial institutions.  These benefit-responsive investment contracts are held through the INVESCO Interest Income Fund (the “Fund”).  Contract values represent contributions made to the investment contract plus earnings, less participant withdrawals and administrative expenses.

 

A synthetic GIC provides for a fixed return on principal over a specified period of time through fully benefit-responsive wrapper contracts issued by third party financial institutions which are backed by underlying assets owned by the Master Trust.  The wrapper contract amortizes the realized and unrealized gains and losses on the underlying fixed income investments, typically over the duration of the investments through adjustments to the future interest crediting rate (which is the rate earned by participants in the Fund for the underlying investments).  The issuer of the wrapper contract provides assurance that the adjustments to the interest crediting rate do not result in a future interest crediting rate that is less than zero.  An interest crediting rate less than zero would result in a loss of principal or accrued interest.

 

Calculating the Interest Crediting Rate in Wrapper Contracts

The key factors that influence future interest crediting rates for a wrapper contract include:

 

·                  The level of market interest rates

·                  The amount and timing of participant contributions, transfers, and withdrawals into/out of the wrapper contract

·                  The investment returns generated by the fixed income investments that back the wrapper contract

·                  The duration of the underlying investments backing the wrapper contract

 

Wrapper contracts’ interest crediting rates are typically reset on a monthly or quarterly basis.  While there may be slight variations from one contract to another, most wrapper contracts use a formula that is based on the characteristics of the underlying fixed income portfolio.  Over time, the crediting rate formula amortizes the Fund’s realized and unrealized market value gains and losses over the duration of the underlying investments.  Because changes in the market interest

 

14



Table of Contents

 

Savings Plan for Union Employees of Unilever

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2010 and 2009

 

rates affect the yield to maturity and the market value of the underlying investments, they can have a material impact on the wrapper contract’s interest crediting rate.  In addition, participant withdrawals and transfers from the Fund are paid at contract value but funded through the market value liquidation of the underlying investments, which also impacts the interest crediting rate.  The resulting gains and losses in the market value of the underlying investments relative to the contract value are presented on the Plan’s Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits as the “Adjustment from fair value to contract value”.  If the Adjustment from fair value to contract value is positive for a given contract, this indicates that the contract value is greater than the market value of the underlying investments.  The embedded market value losses will be amortized in the future through a lower interest crediting rate than would otherwise be the case.  And if the Adjustment from fair value to contract value is negative, this indicates that the contract value is less than the market value of the underlying investments.  The amortization of the embedded market value gains will cause the future interest crediting rate to be higher than it otherwise would have been.

 

All wrapper contracts provide for a minimum interest crediting rate of zero percent.  In the event that the interest crediting rate should fall to zero and the requirements of the wrapper contract are satisfied, the wrapper issuers will pay to the Plan the shortfall needed to maintain the interest crediting rate at zero.  This helps to ensure that participants’ principal and accrued interest will be protected.

 

Events That Limit the Ability of the Plan to Transact at Contract Value

In certain circumstances, the amount withdrawn from the wrapper contract would be payable at fair value rather than at contract value.  These events include termination of the Plan, a material adverse change to the provisions of the Plan, if the employer elects to withdraw from a wrapper contract in order to switch to a different investment provider, or if the terms of a successor plan (in the event of the spin-off or sale of a division) do not meet the wrapper contract issuer’s underwriting criteria for issuance of a clone wrapper contract.  The events described above that could result in the payment of benefits at market value rather than contract value are not probable of occurring in the foreseeable future.

 

Issuer-Initiated Contract Termination

Examples of events that would permit a wrapper contract issuer to terminate a wrapper contract upon short notice include the Plan’s loss of its qualified status, un-cured material breaches of responsibilities, or material and adverse changes to the provisions of the Plan.  If one of these events was to occur, the wrapper contract issuer could terminate the wrapper contract at the market value of the underlying investments.

 

For the Master Trust, the contract values of the synthetic GICs were approximately $523 million and $551 million at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  As of December 31, 2010 and 2009 the fair value of the synthetic GICs, based upon the fair value of underlying assets and wrapper contracts was greater than the contract value by $31.9 million and $25.5 million, respectively.

 

15



Table of Contents

 

Savings Plan for Union Employees of Unilever

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2010 and 2009

 

As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, the average yields for synthetic GICs were as follows:

 

Average yields for synthetic GICs

 

2010

 

2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Based on actual earnings

 

2.04

%

2.53

%

Based on interest rate credited to participants

 

3.94

%

4.12

%

 

Fair Value Measurements

 

ASC 820 provides the framework for measuring fair value.  That framework provides a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value.  The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements).  The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under this standard are described as follows:

 

· Level 1 - Inputs to the valuation methodology are unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the Plan has the ability to access.

 

· Level 2 - Inputs to the valuation methodology that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.  If the asset or liability has a specified (contractual) term, the Level 2 input must be observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.

 

· Level 3 - Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.

 

A financial instrument’s categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.  Valuation techniques used need to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.  The following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for instruments measured at fair value, including the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy:

 

Mutual Funds

A mutual fund’s Net Asset Value (“NAV”) is based on the value of underlying assets owned by the Fund minus its liabilities and then divided by the number of shares outstanding calculated as of the close of business of the New York Stock Exchange. The fund’s assets normally are valued as of this time for the purpose of computing the fund’s NAV.  Since the NAV is a quoted price in a market that is active, they are classified within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy.

 

16



Table of Contents

 

Savings Plan for Union Employees of Unilever

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2010 and 2009

 

Synthetic Guaranteed Investment Contracts

The fair value of the synthetic guaranteed investment contracts is based on the underlying investments. The underlying investments are common/collective trust funds, which are public investment vehicles, valued at the NAV as described above. Because the NAV is a quoted price in a market that is not active, they are classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy.  The value of the wrapper contracts is determined using observable inputs including rebid rates from the wrapper provider.  The fair value of the wrapper contracts at December 31, 2010 and 2009 of $410,854 and $613,757, respectively is included in the synthetic guaranteed investment contracts amount of the Master Trust shown below.

 

Commingled Funds

These investments are public investment vehicles valued using the Net Asset Value (“NAV”) provided by the administrator of the fund. The NAV is a quoted price in a market that is not active and classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy.  The NAV is based on the value of the underlying assets owned by the fund, minus its liabilities, and then divided by the number of shares outstanding. The value of the underlying assets owned by the fund are valued at quoted market prices in an active market. Each common/collective trust fund provides for daily redemptions by the Plan at reported net asset values per share with no advance notice requirement.

 

Unilever N.V. Common Stock

Unilever N.V. common stock is valued at the closing price reported on the New York Stock Exchange Composite Transaction Tape and is classified within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy.

 

Short-term Investment Funds

The Short-term Investment funds are valued at quoted market prices in an active market, which represent the net asset values of shares held by the Plan at year end and are classified within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy.

 

17



Table of Contents

 

Savings Plan for Union Employees of Unilever

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2010 and 2009

 

In accordance with the guidance relating to fair value measurements, the following table represents the Master Trust’s fair value hierarchy for its financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2010 and 2009:

 

2010

 

 

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

Mutual funds:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bond funds

 

$

81,147,129

 

$

 

$

 

$

81,147,129

 

Large cap funds

 

86,942,609

 

 

 

86,942,609

 

Brokerage Link

 

58,681,935

 

 

 

58,681,935

 

Total mutual funds

 

226,771,673

 

 

 

 

 

226,771,673

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synthetic guaranteed investment contracts

 

 

554,632,386

 

 

554,632,386

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commingled funds:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Index funds

 

 

74,390,501

 

 

74,390,501

 

Target retirement funds

 

 

692,677,792

 

 

692,677,792

 

Total commingled funds

 

 

767,068,293

 

 

767,068,293

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unilever N.V. stock

 

58,823,549

 

 

 

58,823,549

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term investment funds

 

16,230,149

 

 

 

16,230,149

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments at fair value

 

$

301,825,371

 

$

1,321,700,679

 

$

 

$

1,623,526,050

 

 

2009

 

 

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

Mutual funds:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bond funds

 

$

71,724,074

 

$

 

 

71,724,074

 

Large cap funds

 

73,442,840

 

 

 

73,442,840

 

Brokerage Link

 

49,367,799

 

 

 

49,367,799

 

Mutual funds

 

194,534,713

 

 

 

194,534,713

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synthetic guaranteed investment contracts

 

 

576,134,272

 

 

576,134,272

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commingled funds:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Index funds

 

 

64,563,089

 

 

64,563,089

 

Target retirement funds

 

 

623,177,878

 

 

623,177,878

 

Total commingled funds

 

 

687,740,967

 

 

687,740,967

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unilever N.V. stock

 

62,072,868

 

 

 

62,072,868

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term investment funds

 

17,720,608

 

 

 

17,720,608

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments at fair value

 

$

274,328,189

 

$

1,263,875,239

 

$

 

$

1,538,203,428

 

 

18



Table of Contents

 

Savings Plan for Union Employees of Unilever

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2010 and 2009

 

5.                      Transactions with Related Parties and Parties-in-Interest

 

The Unilever N.V. Stock Fund invests in shares of Unilever N.V. Stock.  This fund is designed as a means for employees to participate in the potential long-term growth of Unilever N.V.  The Master Trust held approximately 1,873,000  and 1,920,000  shares at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, of common stock in Unilever N.V.  The Master Trust also earned dividend income from the common stock of approximately $2.2 million and $2.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  The Master Trust had sales and purchases of Unilever N.V. Stock of approximately $19.8 million and $16.1 million in 2010 and $20.1 million and $16.7 million in 2009, respectively.

 

Certain Master Trust investments consist of units in investment funds managed by Fidelity.  Fidelity owns these investment funds, and is a party-in-interest as defined by ERISA.  In the opinion of the Plan administrator, fees paid during the year for services rendered by parties-in-interest were based on customary and reasonable rates for such services.  The administration fees paid by the Plan during 2010 and 2009 disclosed on the Statements of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits were paid to Fidelity.

 

6.                            Plan Termination

 

Although it has not expressed any intent to do so, the Company has the right under the Plan to discontinue its contributions at any time and terminate the Plan, subject to the provisions of ERISA.  In the event of the Plan termination, the participant’s rights to their accrued benefits are non-forfeitable.  Any unallocated assets of the Plan shall be allocated to participant accounts and distributed in such a manner as the Company may determine.

 

7.                          Reconciliation of Financial Statements to Form 5500

 

The following is a reconciliation of net assets available for benefits as disclosed in the Statements of Net assets Available for Benefits at December 31, 2010 and 2009 to amounts presented in Form 5500:

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

Net assets available for benefits as disclosed in the financial statements

 

$

116,383,070

 

$

115,019,071

 

Adjustment from fair value to contract value for interest in the Master Trust relating to fully benefit-responsive investment contracts

 

3,238,599

 

2,636,362

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets available for benefits as presented in Form 5500

 

$

119,621,669

 

$

117,655,433

 

 

19



Table of Contents

 

Savings Plan for Union Employees of Unilever

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2010 and 2009

 

The following is a reconciliation of investment income as disclosed in the statement for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 to the amounts presented in Form 5500:

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

Net investment income from Plan interest in Unilever United States Inc. Master Trust as presented in the financial statements

 

$

8,603,200

 

$

12,820,668

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjustment from fair value to contract value

 

602,237

 

1,699,773

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment income as presented in Form 5500

 

$

9,205,437

 

$

14,520,441

 

 

8.                            Subsequent Events

 

The Plan has evaluated subsequent events through the date that the financial statements were available to be issued.  Based on this evaluation, the Plan’s administrator has determined that no subsequent events have occurred which require disclosure in the financial statements.

 

20



Table of Contents

 

Savings Plan for Union Employees of Unilever

Schedule H — Line 4i Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year)

December 31, 2010

 

(a)

 

(b) Identify of Issue, Borrower
Lessor or Similar Party

 

(c) Description of Investment Including
Maturity Date, Rate of Interest, Collateral, Par
or Maturity Value

 

(d) Cost **

 

(e) Current
Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*

 

Investment in Master Trust at fair value

 

 

 

 

 

$

114,846,891

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*

 

Notes Receivable from Participants

 

Interest rates ranging from 4.25% to 9.25% with maturities through 2025

 

 

 

$

4,675,839

 

 


*

Denotes a party-in-interest to the Plan

**

Not applicable

 

21



Table of Contents

 

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the trustees (or other persons who administer the employee benefit plan) have duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

 

SAVINGS PLAN FOR UNION EMPLOYEES OF UNILEVER

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Pascale Thomas

 

 

PASCALE THOMAS

 

 

DIRECTOR OF BENEFITS

 

 

Date: June 15, 2011

 

22



Table of Contents

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit Number

 

Exhibit

23.1

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

23