The deal, subject to approval by the Polish competition authorities, will be executed based on a conditional investment agreement, with the intention of strengthening the market position of the merged company and their brands on the Polish as well as the international markets.
“Our mission is to be a valuable partner for our customers and consumers,” said Boguslaw Miszczuk, president of the management board of Sokołów. “We do that by providing them with products in premium quality, that meet their expectations and needs and comply with the ongoing changes in dietary trends. The acquisition of Gzella Meat Group is another step towards meeting these objectives and it will enlarge the potential growth of the Sokołów Group remarkably.”
Sokołów products will be offered to customers and consumers through the distribution channels of the Gzella Meat Group. At the same time, the range of Gzella products will gain access to the wide distribution network of Sokołów, which consists of 39 distribution centres and 51 Sokołów stores.
The Gzella Meat Group was founded more than 33 years ago in Osie, where the main plant of the group is still situated. The company processes more than 6,000 tons of product a month, employs around 1,000 people and runs its own logistics facilities and a network of nearly 250 stores operating under the Delikatesy Mięsne Gzella brand. These are mainly located in northern and central Poland.
Miroslaw Gzella, founder and main shareholder of the Gzella Meat Group, said: “When we decided to sell the Gzella Meat Group, we started looking for an investor with an established market position and a good reputation, which could bring Gzella the best possibilities to maintain and develop its current activities. Being a part of Sokołów means we will have the best possibilities to strengthen our market position, through continuous improvement of the Gzella profile and an even wider range of premium products.
“Sokołów is an industry investor with vast experience and the most advanced know-how in the industry,” added Gzella. “Thanks to the investment of such a reliable partner, the business I created will gain the necessary resources to strengthen our competitiveness and efficiency even more.”