Glenisk deal is a wake up call for the sector

WHO would have thought that dairy group Danone, worth €13 billion, would buy a stake in the Offaly-based Glenisk?

For years, most of the acquisitions were in the other direction as Irish dairy groups took on mainly the British market.

Waterford and Avonmore (who merged to become Glanbia), Kerry Group, Dairygold and Golden Vale, (subsequently bought by Kerry), all spread their corporate wings.