Dunbia already has seven meat processing operations across the UK, three in Ireland and a French trading office in Paris.
It said the proposed acquisition, which is subject to due diligence, will enable it to build on its established pork processing business in Northern Ireland.
The move will complete Dunbia’s supply chain to the Midlands by integrating with its pork processing plant in Crewe and its Preston sausage processing factory, which recently saw a multimillion-pound investment.
In a statement issued to FoodManufacture.co.uk, Dunbia Group md Jim Dobson said: “This will be a strategic acquisition for Dunbia, which will allow us to integrate our supply chain by aligning the Mansfield abattoir with our boning operation in Crewe.
‘Expand our pork division’
“The deal builds on our strong network of abattoirs across the UK and provides us with access to additional supplies of British quality assured and higher welfare pork. We see this acquisition as an opportunity to expand our pork division in line with our customers’ requirements.”
Directors of G Wood & Sons, Chris and John Wood welcomed the announcement.
Chris Wood said: “Becoming part of the growing Dunbia Group is a positive step forward for the G Wood and Sons business. Dunbia’s decision to acquire our business will safeguard the future of the company for our employees, suppliers and customers.
“We have worked hard to successfully build up the business over the years and feel the time is now right to become part of a larger group.”
100 jobs at pork supplier
In October 2011 Dunbia safeguarded more than 100 jobs when it took over the site of pork supplier Heathfield Foods in Crewe.
In 2009 Dunbia took over Stevenson & Co’s pork slaughter and de-boning facility in Ballymena. The site processes 7,500 pigs a week.
It supplies meat to the national and international retail, commercial and foodservice markets.
Dunbia’s journey from butcher’s shop to major player
1976 Opened butcher’s shop in small village near Dungannon, Northern Ireland
1983 Moved to new boning facility at Dungannon
1985 Built slaughtering facility at Dungannon
1990 Opened extensive new boning facility at Dungannon
1993 Built a retail packing factory at Dungannon
1996 Major extension doubling the capacity of Retail Packing Factory at Dungannon
1998 Dunbia (Sawley, Lancashire) acquired from Rose County Foods
2001 Dunbia (Llanybydder, Wales) acquired from Oriel Jones & Sons
2001 Dunbia (Kilbeggan) acquired along with sister company Dunbia (Slane, Republic of Ireland)
2003 Acquired a new boning facility for Dunbia (Kilbeggan, Republic of Ireland)
2006 New European sales office opened in Paris
2006 Group rebranded to become ‘Dunbia’
2007 Acquired Dunbia (Preston, Lancashire) from Kepak
2007 Dunbia (Elgin, Scotland) acquired from Rhinds of Elgin in north east of Scotland
2009 Dunbia acquires Stevenson’s & Co Pork Facility in Cullybackey, Northern Ireland
2011 Dunbia takes over Heathfield Foods in Crewe, England
2013 Dunbia acquires G Wood & Sons in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire