Dutch meat processor Vion has today signed a deal to acquire the UK food business Grampian for an undisclosed sum, following several months of speculation.
Subject to competition authority agreement, Grampian will be integrated into a new division, Vion UK, led by Ton Christiaanse, currently chief operating officer of Vion’s Convenience Division, who is being appointed chief executive for the business. The deal will see Vion strengthen its UK position, where it already has operations in the fresh pork, bacon and sausage markets.
Peter Barr, formerly chairman of the UK’s Meat and Livestock Commission, is being appointed as non-executive chairman of the board of Vion UK.
“This announcement is evidence of the great importance Vion attaches to the UK market,” said Vion chairman Daan van Doorn. “The combined group will become a major player in the UK food industry.”
Although headquartered in the Netherlands, Vion operates internationally. The group consists of three divisions: Ingredients, Fresh Meat and Convenience. It has an annual turnover of more than euro 7.1bn and employs 18,000 people worldwide.
In the UK, Vion currently has four business operations, including Key Country Foods, a bacon processor serving the retail market. Vion also has a majority share in J&J Tranfield, a manufacturer of pizza and sausages. Vion Food UK is responsible for the sales of bacon, fresh pork, beef and convenience products to the UK market. In addition, Vion company Oerlemans Foods offers fresh frozen vegetables, potato products and fruit through its UK sales office.
Grampian Country Food Group was founded in Scotland in 1980 and supplies the major multiples with chicken, pork, beef and lamb. The company currently employs 17,500 staff - 4,500 in Thailand - and has an annual turnover of £1.7bn.