Nutreco has acquired the remaining 37.7 per cent share in Dutch-based Hendrix Meat Group from Smits Holding and Jabova Beheer. This follows an initial agreement made in 1998 that Nutreco would gain full ownership within a defined period.
"Through gaining 100 per cent ownership, Nutreco has created the opportunity to make further strategic steps concerning the future development of Hendrix Meat Group," said Nutreco Agriculture chief operating officer Juergen Steinemann.
Hendrix Meat Group is the second biggest meat processor in the Netherlands. Last year the company processed 250,000 tons of meat. The business focuses on fresh pre-packed meat and bacon for the northern European market.
Parties have agreed not to disclose the terms and conditions of this transaction.
Nutreco Holding is an international company with leading positions in high-quality food for human and animal consumption. The company is present at various stages of the fish, poultry and pork production chains.
These activities are organised into two business streams: Nutreco Aquaculture and Nutreco Agriculture. Eight business groups, each comprising several business units, operate within these streams, incorporating more than 120 production and processing plants across 22 countries.
Since its flotation in June 1997, Nutreco has made acquisitions in the Netherlands, Spain, Germany, Canada, Poland, Chile, France, Portugal, Scotland, Belgium, Hungary, Norway, Australia and the US. Nutreco's sales in 2002 were €3.8 billion.