Vion announces exit from British meat industry
Vion NV has today announced plans to sell off all of its UK food businesses in a bid to focus on its core markets in the Netherlands and Germany.
The Dutch-based company, which employs 13,000 people in the UK across 38 sites, said it was confident it would be able to sell of its UK pork, red meat and poultry units as ongoing viable businesses.
“Working with our advisors Rabobank/Rothschild, we have already started detailed discussions with a number of interested parties, including management, regarding the acquisition of the various parts of the UK business and these are progressing well,” said Vion UK chairman Peter Barr.
“The level of interest in the businesses has been strong and we hope to be in a position in the near future to give further details about the progress that has been made.
“The sale process will be completed in a smooth and orderly fashion to ensure business continuity for our employees, agricultural and other suppliers and our customers.”
The company entered the UK market in the late 1990s when it acquired Key Country Foods, followed by Tranfield and then the Grampian Country Food Group in 2008.
Today’s announcement follows on from the company’s announcement last month that it would be closing the Hall’s of Broxburn plant which processes more than 70% of Scottish pig meat.
In October the company also revealed it had entered into an agreement for the sale of US-based Banner Pharmacaps – a specialised manufacturer of soft gel camps for the pharmaceutical industry – to Patheon Inc.