Associated Press Finance
Unilever, the company that makes Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, Dove soaps and Vaseline, said Tuesday that it is cutting 7,500 jobs and spinning off its ice cream business to reduce costs and boost profits. London-based Unilever said its ice cream business, which also includes Magnum bars, has “distinct characteristics” from its other brands and would benefit from separate ownership to increase growth. The British consumer goods company with 128,000 employees said it also is launching a “productivity program” that is expected to lead to a reduction of about 7,500 mostly office-based jobs worldwide.