European Competition Commission gives approval for Bell’s acquisition of Huber Group

The European Competition Commission has given its unconditional approval to meat processing and manufacturing company Bell to purchase Austrian poultry firm Huber Group.

The unconditional approval was given providing that all conditions for the definitive completion of the acquisition have been fulfilled by Bell.

Bell announced its plans to buy-out Huber Group on 16 December last year.

Huber Group will be completely consolidated in the Bell Group from 1 March, and the buy-out enables Bell to secure access to raw material poultry from the DACH countries that include Austria, Switzerland and Germany.

With the acquisition, Bell can also access the Austrian and German markets with a new product group, and provide Huber Group with new opportunities and access to new sales channels.

According to Bell, the Huber Group will continue to act as an independent company under the same management team.

The financial terms of the acquisition have not yet been disclosed.

With nearly 900 employees, Huber generates annual revenues of more than €300m.

The Huber Group comprises Hubers Landhendl in Pfaffstätt, Austria, and Süddeutsche Truthahn in Ampfing, Germany.

Bell meanwhile continues its expansion in Switzerland with plans to invest in its existing facilities, as well as new buildings between this year and 2025.