Magnum Ice Cream Company to Launch First Global Centre in Pune with ₹900 Crore Investment

Pune, India – The Magnum Ice Cream Company, the newly demerged ice cream arm of global consumer goods giant Unilever Plc, is set to establish its first Global Capability Centre (GCC) in Pune, Maharashtra. Backed by a significant investment of ₹900 crore, the centre will support the company’s worldwide operations across key functions.

The upcoming facility will serve as a global hub for information technology, supply chain, finance, human resources, and other critical business services. The project is expected to generate over 500 high-skilled jobs in the region, although a specific timeline for hiring has not been disclosed.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced the strategic collaboration on social media platform X, highlighting the centre’s potential to bring high-paying employment opportunities to the state. The official Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Abhijit Bhattacharya, CFO of The Magnum Ice Cream Company, in the presence of Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

Unilever had announced its decision to spin off its global ice cream division in March last year, citing the segment's distinct business dynamics compared to its other categories. The ice cream division includes iconic global brands such as Magnum, Wall’s, and Ben & Jerry’s, which together reported a turnover of €7.9 billion in 2023.

Following the demerger, the ice cream business has been formally renamed The Magnum Ice Cream Company, headquartered in The Netherlands. The move is part of Unilever’s strategy to focus more sharply on core business segments and unlock greater value.

In India, Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL) has also taken steps to separate its ice cream division, forming a new entity called Kwality Wall’s (India) Ltd, which is slated for a separate listing on Indian stock exchanges.

While Unilever continues to operate multiple research and development centres across India, including in Bengaluru and Mumbai, the new Pune centre will function as a global support powerhouse, enabling innovation and operational efficiency across Magnum’s worldwide markets.