Tyrone based Dunbia meat processing firm for sale

A shake-up of the Irish meat processing sector continues, with the proposed sale of Dunbia in Northern Ireland following the ABP Food Group and Linden Food Group announcement of their intention to enter a 50:50 joint venture with Slaney Foods.

Dungannon, Co Tyrone based red meat processor Dunbia, had turnover in the year to last March of €1,125 million, and pre-tax profits of €9m.

The company which started in 1976 as a village butcher’s shop revealed in December that it was pitching itself to international buyers, having received several serious expressions of interest over the past two years.

Dunbia operates procurement, slaughter and de-boning of cattle and sheep; and wholesale distribution and retail packing of beef and lamb.

With 12 beef processing sites in Britain and Ireland, it is also involved in the pork sector.

The company has been led since its formation by brothers Jack and Jim Dobson.

It employs 3,605, mostly in production and distribution.