2 Sisters acquires VION’s UK poultry businesses

2 Sisters Food Group has agreed to acquire VION’s poultry and red meat processing businesses in the UK. The acquisition secures a viable future for these businesses, as well as providing certainty to their UK supply chain, which is underpinned by British farmers.

The acquisition will help to meet growing demand from 2 Sisters’ poultry customers and further diversifies the company’s offering to include red meat, supporting 2 Sisters’ strategy of serving more meal occasions.

The acquisition follows the announcement by VION’s Dutch parent company on 19 November 2012 of its plan to exit its UK operations. VION’s poultry and red meat businesses are suppliers of poultry, beef and lamb to the retail and food service sectors in the UK and Europe. They have 11 processing sites in the UK and approximately 6,000 employees and have suffered from challenging trading conditions, in particular in poultry, with the loss of a number of major contracts.

“We are delighted to be acquiring VION UK’s poultry and red meat businesses,”said Ranjit Singh, Chief Executive of 2 Sisters Food Group. “They have faced significant uncertainty and tough trading in recent months, but this acquisition secures a viable future. With the majority of the operations being in Scotland and Wales, we are delighted that the Scottish and Welsh governments are supportive of this deal and we look forward to working with them and developing a sustainable future for these businesses.”

“This acquisition will safeguard a key supply chain for high quality British poultry and meat, offering reassurance to farmers in England, Scotland and Wales and upholding the quality and provenance that UK customers and consumers deserve.”