FDBusiness.com

The proposed joint venture between Cargill and Faccenda Foods to create a leading UK food company focused on chicken, turkey and duck is expected to be operating as a standalone business by the end of January 2018. The alliance, which entails Faccenda Foods merging with Cargill’s UK fresh chicken business, has just been approved by the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) after receiving earlier clearance from the European Commission, under the EU Merger Regulation.

The new joint venture will operate as a standalone business, with Cargill and Faccenda taking an equal shareholding. By bringing together two complementary businesses with a track record of success, shared values and a strong reputation in the UK poultry market, the combined venture will have the capability to respond to changing customer needs in the retail and food service sectors with a strategy for growth.

Andy Dawkins, managing director for Faccenda Foods, will become chief executive of the newly formed company. Chris Hall, fresh chicken director for Cargill Meats Europe, will be chief commercial officer of the new joint venture.

The new business plans to employ approximately 6,000 people in the UK, with employees coming from both parent companies. It will operate across multiple agriculture and operational centres, with broad capabilities that span the supply chain focused on operational excellence and customer focused partnerships.