Sofina Foods has finalized the acquisition of Finnebrogue, a family-owned value added meat processing company operating four state-of-the-art facilities and employing 1,200 people in County Down, Northern Ireland. Terms of the transition were not disclosed.
Finnebrogue produces a wide range of food products, including outdoor-bred pork, sausages, rashers and ham, as well as plant-based alternatives.
Sofina Foods Europe, headquartered in Malton, North Yorkshire, England, is a leading supplier of both branded and private label seafood and pork products. The pork division is one of the largest processors and provisioners of pork products across the UK and Ireland. The seafood division is the largest provider of chilled and frozen fishery products across the United Kingdom, including the Young’s brand, and is a major player in frozen seafood across Germany and France.
With this acquisition, Sofina Foods Europe now employs over 9,000 people across 27 locations. Finnebrogue’s sites will continue to provide sustainable, high quality food products and complement Sofina Foods Europe’s existing food distribution network in the UK and Europe.
“This acquisition will allow us to continue our journey of ambitious expansion,” said Michael Latifi, founder, chairman and chief executive officer of Sofina Foods. “We have created a global foundation for continued growth, with a history of excellence in food production and processing spanning over 30 years. Both companies share a common culture of excellence, discipline and integrity and we will build on these strengths.”
Ash Amirahmadi, chief executive officer of Sofina Foods Europe, added: “This is an exciting step forward for us. Finnebrogue is a hugely successful, award winning business. I look forward to welcoming everyone at Finnebrogue and drawing upon the significant expertise that exists across both businesses.”
Roger Burnley CBE, the chairman of Finnebrogue, stated: “I’m delighted that Finnebrogue is joining Sofina Foods Europe, and I know that this great business will continue to flourish as part of the Sofina family, whose purpose-driven values align closely with our own, unlocking new opportunities for our people, our products and our customers.
“The Lynn family, who founded the business 30 years ago have built an extraordinary legacy, and I know that they join me in thanking every single one of our fantastic Finnebrogue colleagues, past and present. Now with Sofina’s stewardship, we look forward to watching Finnebrogue go from strength to strength.”
Christine Lynn, co-founder Finnebrogue, added: “My late husband Denis and I started Finnebrogue Venison in December 1991. With Denis’s vision and innovation, the business grew into one of the leading food companies in Northern Ireland, making food the best it could be, without being bound by the way it had always been done, and creating over 1,200 jobs along the way. The time has now come for me to hand over the baton, and to do so to Sofina who I know will uphold Denis’s legacy and take Finnebrogue on to its next chapter.”
