Cranswick acquires Packington Pork from the Mercer family

UK-based food producer Cranswick has acquired free-range and outdoor farmed pig business Packington Pork from the Mercer family.

Packington Pork specialises in the production of British free-range and outdoor-bred pigs. Its pig farming and rearing operations are located in various counties across England, including Staffordshire, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire.

The Packington Free Range business is also part of this deal. The Mercer family will retain ownership and operate it as a standalone business under the Packington brand.

Neither company has divulged any financial details of the transaction.

Cranswick CEO Adam Couch said: “I am delighted to announce the acquisition of the premium pig farming business, Packington Pork Limited. This acquisition strengthens our existing farming operations and reinforces our commitment to supporting and growing the British pig farming industry.

“It also aligns to our strategy of enhanced transparency and provenance of our food from farm to fork. We have worked closely with the business for over 14 years. We welcome the existing farm management team and look forward to investing in and developing the business over the coming years.”

Cranswick said that the deal will boost its self-sufficiency in UK pigs processed to more than 25%. It hopes to gain direct control over a substantial part of its supply chain for premium pigs.

In July this year, Cranswick acquired all the issued share capital of Katsouris Brothers, a processor and multi-channel supplier of continental and Mediterranean food products. Cranswick paid net cash consideration of £43.5m ($53.5m) through its existing debt facilities.