Through the joint venture, subject to clearance by the relevant regulatory authorities, Cargill’s fresh chicken business in the UK is going to join Faccenda’s fresh chicken, turkey and duck business to form the new company, and will be a standalone business, with Cargill and Faccenda taking an equal shareholding.
Andy Dawkins, managing director for Faccenda Foods, will be appointed chief executive officer of the newly formed company and Chris Hall, fresh chicken director for Cargill Meats Europe, will be appointed chief commercial officer.
The new joint venture will be named once the deal has been completed. The new business will employ around 6,000 people, taken from both parent companies.
Joint venture offers ‘security’
Chris Langholz, president of Cargill Poultry, said: “We believe the two organisations are complementary. Combining into one entity allows us to build on our strengths, grow in the market and better serve our customers. The venture will facilitate greater opportunities to innovate and deliver new and exciting poultry products for consumers.”
Ian Faccenda, chief executive officer of Faccenda Investments, said: “Both Cargill and Faccenda are recognised today by their customers for their high standards and great service. The new joint venture confirms our long-term commitment to being a responsible partner across the entire supply chain, providing stability and security to our customers, suppliers and growers for years to come.
“This is an exciting time,” Faccenda added. “We are bringing together talented people from both businesses with complementary values and expertise, and giving them the opportunity to develop and be successful in a new business with the capability to grow.”
Who’s who in this new joint venture?
Faccenda Foods provides fresh and convenience food solutions for the UK retail and foodservice sectors. It has a turnover of over £500m and 3,600 people situated across its UK chicken, turkey and duck operations. Faccenda sources birds from both independently owned and company-owned farms, and processes just over 2 million chickens per week and 4.5 million turkeys and 5.5 million ducks per year. Owned by the Faccenda family, the business has production facilities in Brackley, Telford, Dudley, Abergavenny, Caistor and Burton.
Cargill provides food, agriculture, financial and industrial products and services. It has 150,000 employees in 70 countries. Cargill sources birds from a network of farms, primarily independently owned and processes approximately 2.1 million birds per week in the UK.