UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

FORM 11-K

OR

A.

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

LIPTON SAVINGS PLAN FOR HOURLY EMPLOYEES OF THE INDEPENDENCE PLANT

UNILEVER UNITED STATES, INC.
390 PARK AVENUE
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10022

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

UNILEVER PLC
UNILEVER HOUSE
BLACK FRIARS
LONDON EC4 PBQ
ENGLAND

 

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LIPTON SAVINGS PLAN FOR HOURLY EMPLOYEES OF THE INDEPENDENCE PLANT

Table of Contents

 

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LIPTON SAVINGS PLAN FOR HOURLY EMPLOYEES OF THE INDEPENDENCE PLANT

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 2002 TO DECEMBER 31, 2002

AND JANUARY 1, 2001 TO DECEMBER 31, 2001

AND

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT

 

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Lipton Savings Plan for Hourly
Employees of the Independence Plant
Index

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(*)

Supplemental schedules required by 29CFR2520.103-10 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 required since these schedules are prepared for the Unilever United States, Inc. Master Savings Trust as a whole, of which this Plan is a component.

 

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Report of Independent Auditors

To the Participants and Administrator of the Lipton Savings Plan for
Hourly Employees of the Independence Plant:

In our opinion, the accompanying statements of net assets available for plan benefits and the related statements of changes in net assets available for plan benefits present fairly, in all material respects, the net assets available for plan benefits of the Lipton Savings Plan for Hourly Employees of the Independence Plant (the “Plan”) at December 31, 2002 and 2001, and the changes in net asset available for plan 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 auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, which 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 estimate made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

June 24, 2003

 

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2

Lipton Savings Plan for Hourly
Employees of the Independence Plant
Statements of Net Assets Available for Plan Benefits
As of December 31, 2002 and 2001

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

 

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3

Lipton Savings Plan for Hourly
Employees of the Independence Plant
Statements of Changes in Net Assets Available for Plan Benefits
For the Years Ended December 31, 2002 and 2001

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

 

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4

Lipton Savings Plan for Hourly
Employees of the Independence Plant
Notes to Financial Statements

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1.

Description of the Plan

The Lipton Savings Plan for Hourly Employees of the Independence Plant (the “Plan”) is a defined contribution plan and is subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”). Assets of the Plan along with other assets from defined contribution plans sponsored by Unilever United States, Inc. (the “Company” or “UNUS”) are maintained in the Unilever United States, Inc. Master Savings Trust (the “Trust”). The following brief description of the Plan is provided for general information purposes only. Reference should be made to the Plan document for a complete description of the Plan.

Eligibility All hourly union employees at the Independence, Missouri facility of Lipton (which is an operating division of UNUS) represented by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 83 following the completion of one year of service are eligible to participate in the Plan. Leased employees are not eligible to participate in the Plan.

Contributions Participants’ contributions are made solely by individual election on a before- and after-tax basis in amounts not to exceed 15% of the participant’s compensation. The Company contributes 50% of the participant’s contribution, up to a maximum of 8% of the employee’s compensation. Before tax contributions are limited to $11,000 and $10,500 for the 2002 and 2001 plan years respectively.

All contributions are deposited in the Unilever United States, Inc. Master Savings Trust (the “Trust”).

Vesting Participant’s are fully vested in their contributions to their before-tax and after-tax accounts as well as the earnings thereon. All Company contributions are 100% vested, therefore there are no forfeitures in the Plan.

Participant Accounts Each participant’s account is credited with the participant’s contribution and (a) the Company’s contribution, (b) an allocation of Plan earnings, and (c) an allocation of forfeitures of terminated participant’s nonvested accounts. Allocations are based on participant earnings or account balances, as defined. The benefit to which a participant is entitled is the benefit that can be provided from the participant’s vested account.

Withdrawals and Distributions During employment, participants may withdraw all or part of their after-tax account and earnings thereon. In addition, upon termination of employment, participants are entitled to all of their after-tax account, their before-tax savings account and their vested company matching account and earnings thereon.

Participants may apply to the Benefits Administration Committee for a financial hardship withdrawal of up to 100% of the amount of their vested after-tax and before-tax accounts, prior to attaining age 59-1/2, provided the withdrawal does not exceed the amount of the hardship.

 

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5

Lipton Savings Plan for Hourly
Employees of the Independence Plant
Notes to Financial Statements

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Investments Participants have the option to invest in, and direct the Company matching contributions towards any of the following funds:

•

The PRIMCO Interest Income Fund is primarily invested in guaranteed investment contracts issued by certain insurance companies and synthetic guaranteed investment contracts wrapped by certain banks and insurance companies. The investment contracts are fully benefit responsive investment contracts which provide for a certain return for a specified period of time. The crediting interest rates at December 31, 2002 and 2001 for the contracts range from 1.35% to 7.70% and 4.19% to 8.18%, respectively.

•

The Fidelity Asset Manager Fund invests primarily in stocks, bonds, and short-term cash instruments of both U.S. and foreign corporations and governments.

•

The Pyramid Equity Index Fund invests primarily in stocks that comprise the S&P 500 Index.

•

The Fidelity Magellan Fund invests in stocks and other securities (may include up to 20% in bonds) of a variety of large, medium and small sized companies in a variety of industries (both domestic and foreign).

•

The PRIMCO Total Return Fund invests in government, corporate, mortgage-backed, and foreign securities with an overall portfolio duration averaging 3 to 6 years.

•

The Fidelity Equity Income Fund invests mainly in dividend-paying common and preferred stocks, particularly of large, established companies with favorable prospects for both increased dividends and capital growth.

•

The Harbor Capital Appreciation Fund invests mainly in common stocks of domestic companies with market capitalizations of at least $1 billion, which exhibit above-average earnings growth potential.

•

The Capital Guardian International Equity Fund invests primarily in foreign stocks in developed markets and stocks of emerging markets.

•

The Unilever N.V. Stock Fund invests in shares of Unilever N.V. stock. Unilever N.V. is the ultimate parent of Unilever United States.

•

The Fidelity Growth & Income Portfolio Fund seeks long-term capital growth, current income, and growth of income by investing in equity securities (including common and preferred stocks), convertible securities, bonds, futures and options.

•

The Fidelity Contrafund seeks long-term capital appreciation by investing primarily in common stock and securities convertible into common stock.

•

The Capital Guardian Emerging Markets Fund invests principally in developing country securities that are listed on a bona fide securities exchange or are actively traded in an over-the-counter market.

•

The T. Rowe Price Small Cap Stock Fund invests at least 65% of its total assets in stocks and equity-related securities of small companies.

 

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6

Lipton Savings Plan for Hourly
Employees of the Independence Plant
Notes to Financial Statements

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•

The JP Morgan Select Small Company Fund mainly invests in common stocks of small companies with market capitalization of less than $1.2 billion.

•

The AF Washington Mutual Investors Fund — Class A Fund invests primarily in common stocks. The fund must be fully invested (95%) in the stocks of U.S. companies that meet the fund’s “eligible list” criteria, which include specific guidelines for return of capital, financial strength, and dividend payment.

•

The Fidelity Select Healthcare Portfolio Fund normally invests at least 80% of its assets in the common stocks of companies principally engaged in the design, manufacture, or sale of products or services used for or in connection with health care or medicine. The fund may invest in the securities of domestic and foreign issuers.

•

The Fidelity Select Technology Portfolio Fund invests at least 80% of its assets in the common stocks of companies principally engaged in offering, using, or developing products, processes, or services that will provide or will benefit significantly from technological advances and improvements. The fund may invest in the securities of domestic and foreign issuers.

•

The Fidelity Select Financial Portfolio Fund invests at least 80% of its assets in the common stocks of companies principally engaged in providing financial services to consumers and the financial industry. The fund may invest in the securities of domestic and foreign issuers.

•

The Fidelity Select Natural Resources Portfolio Fund invests primarily in common stocks and in certain precious metals. The fund normally invests at least 80% of its assets in the common stocks of companies principally engaged in owning or developing natural resources, or supplying goods and services to such companies, and in precious metals. The fund may invest in the securities of domestic and foreign issuers.

•

The Fidelity Overseas Fund normally invests at least 65% of its total assets in equity securities of companies from countries outside of North America.

Loans to Plan Participants Participants may borrow from their fund accounts a maximum of $50,000 reduced by the highest outstanding balance of Plan loans during the one-year period ending on the loan request date or the outstanding balance of prior Plan loans as of the loan request date or up to 50% of their vested account balance.

Termination Terminated participants may opt to leave their account balance invested in the Plan until they attain age 70-1/2. Upon termination of service, that portion of a participant’s company matching account which is not vested will be forfeited. Forfeitures are used to reduce future Company matching contributions.

While the Company has not expressed any intent to discontinue its contributions or terminate the Plan, it is free to do so at any time. In the event such discontinuance results in the termination of the Plan, the amount in each member’s account becomes fully vested.

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

 

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7

Lipton Savings Plan for Hourly
Employees of the Independence Plant
Notes to Financial Statements

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Other At December 31, 2002 and 2001, there were 159 and 154 participants, respectively, some of whom elected to invest in more than one fund. Set forth below is the number of participants investing in each fund.

2.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Accounting The Plan’s financial statements are prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.

Valuation of Trust Investments Shares of participation in the various funds, other than the Interest Income Fund and the Unilever N.V. Stock Fund, are valued based on quoted market prices as of the last business day of the year.

The guaranteed investment contracts and the synthetic guaranteed investment contracts in the Interest Income Fund are stated at contract value, which approximates fair value.

Unilever N.V. stock in the Unilever N.V. stock fund is valued at market value based on its quoted market price as of the last business day of the year.

Investment Transactions and Investment Income of the Trust Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Income from other investments is recorded as earned on an accrual basis. The average cost basis is used in determining gain or loss on Trust investments sold.

Purchases and sales of securities are reflected as of the trade date.

 

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8

Lipton Savings Plan for Hourly
Employees of the Independence Plant
Notes to Financial Statements

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The Plan presents in the Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Plan Benefits the net appreciation (depreciation) in the fair value of its investments, which consists of the realized gains and losses and the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on those investments.

Benefit Payments Benefit payments are recorded when paid.

Administrative Expenses Investment management fees for all funds 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 generally accepted accounting principles 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.

Risks and Uncertainties The Plan provides for various investment options in any combination of stocks, bonds, fixed income securities, 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 statement of net assets available for plan benefits and the statement of changes in net assets available for plan benefits.

The 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 administrator does not anticipate non-performance by these companies. The Plan administrator believes that the risk to the Trust portfolio from credit loss is not material due to the diversified nature of assets held.

3.

Tax Status of the Plan

The Plan received a favorable tax determination letter, effective September 19, 2002, in which the Internal Revenue Service stated that the Plan, as then designed, was in compliance with the applicable requirements of the Internal Revenue Code. The Plan has been amended since receiving the determination letter. However, the Plan administrator and the Plan’s tax counsel believe that the Plan is currently designed and being operated in compliance with the applicable requirements of the Internal Revenue Code. Therefore, no provision for income taxes has been included in the Plan’s financial statements.

4.

Investments Held by the Trust

The Trust primarily comprises the assets of the following plans:

•

Unicare Savings Plan

•

Savings Plan for Lever Brothers Employees Represented by the ICWUC

 

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9

Lipton Savings Plan for Hourly
Employees of the Independence Plant
Notes to Financial Statements

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•

Thrift and Savings Plan for “Certain” Employees of Lever Brothers Company

The plans listed above comprise approximately 99% of the investments held by the Trust as of December 31, 2002 and 2001. The Trust also holds investments for a number of other Plans sponsored by subsidiaries of Unilever United States, Inc. The Plan has an undivided interest in certain assets of the Trust and sole interests in other assets of the Trust. Certain investment assets of the Trust and related earnings are allocated to the Plans participating in the Trust based upon the total of each individual participant’s share of the Trust. On an overall basis, the Plan has a 0.4% interest in the investments of the Trust as of December 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

The Plan’s approximate share of investments held by the Trust at December 31, 2002 and 2001 were as follows:

 

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10

Lipton Savings Plan for Hourly
Employees of the Independence Plant
Notes to Financial Statements

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At December 31, 2002 and 2001, the financial position of the Trust was as follows:

The following presents investments that represent 5 percent or more of the Trust’s net assets for the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001:

 

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11

Lipton Savings Plan for Hourly
Employees of the Independence Plant
Notes to Financial Statements

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The changes in the Trust net assets for the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001 were as follows:

 

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12

Lipton Savings Plan for Hourly
Employees of the Independence Plant
Notes to Financial Statements

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The net appreciation (depreciation) of investments held in the Trust by fund, which consists of the realized gains (losses) and the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on these investments for the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001 was as follows:

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.

Certain 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.

 

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Consent of Independent Accountants

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 333-14244) of Unilever N.V. of our report dated June 24, 2003, relating to the financial statements of the Lipton Savings Plan for Hourly Employees of the Independence Plant, which appears in this Form 11-K/A.

 

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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.

December 8, 2003