DAWN MEATS & DUNBIA AGREE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP

Dawn Meats has agreed a strategic partnership with Dunbia to establish a majority owned joint venture [‘JV’] in the United Kingdom comprising the UK operations of both organisations. Dawn will separately acquire Dunbia’s operations in the Republic of Ireland. The deal is subject to approval by the relevant competition authorities.

In Ireland, Dawn Meats will have 9 facilities (including 5 abattoirs), following the addition of two complementary Dunbia facilities – one abattoir in Slane, and one boning hall in Kilbeggan.

The combined UK businesses will trade as Dunbia and will deliver enhanced scale and market presence to better serve existing farmer suppliers and customers of both organisations across the retail, manufacturing, wholesale and food service sectors.  The businesses 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.

Dunbia’s CEO Jim Dobson, OBE will be CEO of the new Dunbia JV, and Dawn Meats’ CEO Niall Browne, will be Executive Chairman. The JV will be run from Dunbia’s existing headquarters in Dungannon, Northern Ireland.

Commenting, Niall Browne, CEO of Dawn Meats said:

“We are both family businesses with a deep connection to farming and a culture and business ethos that is centered on quality and sustainability.   Given the uncertainty posed by Brexit, this partnership should further underpin the competiveness of both operations to the benefit of all stakeholders in the UK, Ireland and across Europe.”

“We are very excited about the future of both companies and the opportunities that this transaction will bring for our staff, customers and suppliers. In our key operating markets we will be involved in 3 leading national businesses with Dawn Meats in Ireland, Dunbia in the UK and Elivia in France, with our cooperative partners Terrena.”

Jim Dobson, CEO of Dunbia said:

“This is the right strategic partnership for Dunbia’s staff and customers, and sees us joining with a company with a shared heritage of excellence in the production of premium beef and lamb products. The new UK joint venture confirms our future as a leading supplier in the UK market. In a consolidating industry this deal makes strategic sense for both companies, our customers and our farmer suppliers.”

Across Dawn Meats and Dunbia, the businesses process approximately 900,000 cattle and 2.6 million sheep annually.

Dawn Meats is a premium meat processor and supplier of choice of premium Irish and British red meat to a range of leading supermarket, food service and restaurants businesses in Ireland and the UK and is exporting to 48 countries around the world.  Dawn Meats is also a 49% shareholder in Elivia, the number 2 beef processor in France, which processes approximately 500,000 cattle annually.

Dunbia is a leading processor of beef and lamb with 9 sites located across the UK and Ireland, employing around 4,000 people. The company is one of Northern Ireland’s largest privately-owned companies and currently exports to 36 countries worldwide.

DAWN MEATS & DUNBIA AGREE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP 1

Agriculture

Working across key areas such as supply chain, animal welfare, and sustainable agriculture, you will get involved in all aspects of the agriculture and research and development areas within the business.

Environmental

This varied role will provide you with an opportunity to get involved in all aspects of the Environmental department and participate in continuous improvement projects within a fast-paced food manufacturing environment.

Human Resources

As your skills and knowledge develop over time, you will get involved in all aspects of HR within a fast-paced food manufacturing environment and your responsibility will increase.

Retail National Account Management

This exciting role will see you gain a wide range of business experience skills, providing support to major UK retail supermarket customer accounts. 

Operations & Commercial

Work in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment gaining a hands-on experience across all aspects of operations, production and commercial with a focus on continuous improvement. 

New Product Development

You will be involved in supporting and managing the NPD process to ensure new and re-developed products are launched successfully. 

Livestock procurement

An exciting opportunity to learn about all areas of livestock procurement within the business, gaining a full understanding of production and operations.

Food Safety & Quality

A hands-on opportunity to understand and impact on food safety, quality and animal welfare across a fast-paced food manufacturing environment. Ensuring legislative compliance, customer excellence and continuous improvement.

Mechanical Engineering

As an engineering graduate you will be hands on and, on the go, working in a fast paced, busy environment overseeing electrical, mechanical and automation projects in a food manufacturing business.

Accounting & Finance

Gain a robust understanding in all aspects of the Finance Function with support at every step of the way to attain the professional qualifications needed to become a finance leader of the future.