June 7, 2007

UK's 2 Sisters Food Group acquires three poultry businesses

In a sign of further consolidation in the UK poultry industry, poultry processor 2 Sisters Food Group has acquired three UK poultry businesses.

Processor Joseph Mitchell has been added to two existing primary processing operations of 2 Sisters Food Group.

The company has also expanded its added value poultry division with the purchases of Challenger Foods in Sunderland and Tulip's Morecambe facility.

These two businesses already supply major retailer and food service markets.

Chief executive of 2 Sisters Food Group, Ranjit Singh, highlighted that the expanded division would have a combined turnover of GBP 100 million (US$199 million).

Singh said the acquisitions fit with the group's strategy to broaden the poultry offering and geographic reach of 2 Sisters Group.

The acquisition would also allow the Group to provide consumers with more locally sourced products, said Singh.

Besides better serving the customers, the acquisitions would also help 2 Sisters enter niche markets such as that for Halal meat and catering, he said.