Unilever To Move Sundial Brands Out Of Amityville, Farmingdale

AMITYVILLE, NY — Unilever, which bought Sundial Brands in 2017, plans to close the beauty and personal care company's manufacturing facility in Amityville and its warehouse in Farmingdale.

A Unilever spokesperson told Newsday that the Amityville factory couldn't expand, so production would move to other locations in the United States.

A state-mandated warn notice about the 169 layoffs — 167 in Amityville and 2 in Farmingdale —that will result as of April 5 was published Nov. 9.

Unilever bought Sundial, whose most famous product line is SheaMoisture, in 2017.

"Since its founding in 1991, Sundial has championed inclusive beauty and has served the unmet needs of consumers of color through its robust innovation pipeline, product offerings and purpose-driven business model," Unilever said at the time.

Its founder, Richelieu Dennis, started out selling shea butter from his college dorm room, according to Inc. magazine. As part of Unilever's acquisition, the two companies created a fund to support women of color entrepreneurs, Forbes magazine reported.

At the time, Sundial was ranked No. 43 on the list of top national household and personal products companies by HAPPI magazine.