January 29, 2014

Big Dutchman buys Spain's Zucami

Big Dutchman is taking over Spanish poultry equipment supplier, Zucami, which has recently become insolvent.

"As a result of the bidding procedure, the insolvency court accepted our concept presented in December," confirms Bernd Meerpohl, chairman of the Big Dutchman AG board of management. This concept intends for Big Dutchman to purchase the assets of the competitor from Northern Spain while maintaining its headquarters and saving approximately half of the 120 jobs. Business will continue under Zucami Poultry Equipment S.L.

"Even as part of the Big Dutchman group, Zucami will remain an independent brand on the international market," says Meerpohl.

According to Meerpohl, Zucami's product line is designed in a different manner compared to Big Dutchman's products, thus ideally complementing the group's product range.

Big Dutchman is the world's leading equipment supplier for modern pig and poultry production. The independent, family-owned company, based in Vechta-Calveslage, Germany, offers its products in more than 100 countries and achieved a turnover of €732 million (US$1 million) in the past business year.

Zucami, with headquarters in Beriáin, near Pamplona, distributes housing equipment worldwide and is considered a leading supplier of equipment for laying hens in Spain and South America. In 2012, the company's turnover amounted to approximately €110 million (US$150 million). However, this figure fell in 2013.