Regulators have rubber-stamped the coming together of Co Tyrone meat processing giant Dunbia and Waterford firm Dawn Meats in a new joint venture.
The strategic partnership and acquisition agreement announced in May has been formally completed, with all relevant regulatory clearances approved.
Dawn has agreed a partnership with Dunbia to establish a joint venture in the United Kingdom comprising the UK operations of both organisations.
The combined UK businesses now trade as Dunbia and are managed by former Dunbia head Jim Dobson as chief executive and Dawn Meats’ CEO Niall Browne as executive chairman.
The new brand and logo for the joint venture were unveiled to staff and customers at the business’s headquarters in Dungannon.
In the Republic Dawn has acquired Dunbia’s operations, and now has nine facilities (including five abattoirs), following the addition of two complementary Dunbia facilities – one abattoir in Slane, and one boning hall in Kilbeggan.
The combined businesses in the UK and Ireland will process approximately 900,000 cattle and 2.6 million sheep a year.
Dawn Meats was established in 1980 and has grown to a business with more than £1.8 billion annual sales, employing over 7,000 staff in eight countries, while Dunbia was founded in 1976 by brothers Jim and Jack Dobson as a butcher’s shop in Dungannon and has a turnover of around £800 million.
Niall Browne of Dawn Meats said: “We’re very pleased to have successfully concluded this process and can now look to deliver the benefits that we believe this transaction will bring for our customers, staff and suppliers.
“Our focus will continue to be on quality and sustainability across three leading national businesses – Dawn Meats in Ireland, Dunbia in the UK and Elivia in France.”
The combined businesses in the UK are highly complementary, and will offer customers regionally sourced solutions for both beef and lamb from 15 facilities across Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Jim Dobson, chief executive of Dunbia, added: “I am excited today to be introducing a fresh look for the new Dunbia business in the UK. The partnership will ensure that we can grow as a leading supplier in the UK market and deliver long-term solutions for our customers and a strong relationship with our farmer suppliers.”
By Gary McDonald
Source: The Irish News
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