Vion: Investment and Expansion

UK - Vion, the Dutch food giant have pledged to make a large investment in the Grampian Country Food Group, boosting the UK livestock industry, after its recent takeover.

24 June 2008

1 minute read

Europe

The company, owned by the Dutch farmers’ union, acquired Grampian this week in a deal reported to be worth around £350million, making them one of the leading food processors in the UK, reported the Farmers Guardian.

They say that as well as taking control of Grampian’s pig and poultry operations, the deal includes red meat processors St Merryn Meat, McIntosh Donald and Welsh Country Foods – major suppliers to UK supermarkets including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Morrisons the Co-op, Somerfield and Marks & Spencer.

As part of the deal, the group will come under the ownership of Vion’s UK arm, to be headed by former Meat and Livestock Commission chairman Peter Barr.

Farmers Guardian says that Vion’s commitment to invest in the firm will come as welcome news for its suppliers and the wider livestock industry, providing opportunities to capitalise on new markets as it looks to expand.

A spokesman for Vion UK said: “The commitment to the whole deal is about investment. Vion has a good track-record in investments and we very much see this as a huge opportunity and see the UK as the home market for Grampian.”

View the Farmers Guardian story by clicking here.