Unilever, the Anglo-Dutch multinational, is moving its Italian headquarters from Milan to Rome at the beginning of 2007. The company explains the move as a necessary rationalisation which will bring the headquarters nearer the companys main factories in Italy, at Cisterna (Latina) and Naples; at the same time there will be an overall reduction in staff of 650 out of a total of 5,000.

The company employs some 200,000 people worldwide, with interests in food and household products and brands such as Bertolli, Knorr, Algida, Cif and others.