Sofina Foods has bought the family-owned award-winning food manufacturing company Finnebrogue that began in 1991 and employs 1,200 across four sites.
Finnebrogue produces a wide range of food products, including outdoor-bred pork, sausages, rashers, and ham, as well as plant-based alternatives.
Sofina Foods Europe is a leading supplier of both branded and own-label seafood and pork products.
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The pork division is one of the largest processors and suppliers of products across the UK and Ireland. The seafood division is the largest provider of chilled and frozen products across the UK, including the Young’s brand, and is a major player in frozen seafood across Germany and France.
With this acquisition, Sofina Foods Europe now employs over 9,000 people across 27 sites.
Finnebrogue sites will continue to provide sustainable, high-quality food products and will complement Sofina Foods Europe’s existing food distribution network across the UK and in Europe.
Michael Latifi, Founder, Chairman and CEO, Sofina Foods, said: “This acquisition will allow Sofina Foods to continue our journey of ambitious expansion. We have created a global foundation for continued growth, with a history of excellence in food production and processing spanning over 30 years.
“Both Sofina Foods and Finnebrogue share a common culture of excellence, discipline and integrity and I look forward to building on the strengths of both companies.”
Ash Amirahmadi, CEO, Sofina Foods Europe, added: “This is an exciting step forward for Sofina Foods Europe. Finnebrogue is a hugely successful, award-winning business with similar values and principles to Sofina Foods Europe.
“I look forward to welcoming everyone at Finnebrogue to the Sofina Foods family and drawing upon the significant expertise that exists across both businesses.”
Roger Burnley CBE, Chair of Finnebrogue, said: “I’m delighted that Finnebrogue is joining Sofina Foods Europe, and I know that this great business will continue to flourish as part of the Sofina family, who’s purpose-driven values align closely with our own, unlocking new opportunities for our people, our products and our customers.
“The Lynn family who founded the business 30 years ago have built an extraordinary legacy, and I know that they join me in thanking every single one of our fantastic Finnebrogue colleagues, past and present. Now with Sofina’s stewardship, we look forward to watching Finnebrogue go from strength to strength.”
Christine Lynn, Co-founder Finnebrogue said that in 1991 she and her husband Denis began in 1991, “making food the best it can be” and creating “one of the leading food companies in Northern Ireland.”
Denis, tragically died, and with the support of the leadership team Denis created was able to grow the business further but “the time has come to hand over the baton.”
Christine added she knew Sophina would “uphold Denis’s legacy and take Finnebrogue on to its next chapter.”
Sofina Foods Finance, Tax, Treasury and Legal Teams managed this transaction with external support from PWC, Taylor Wessing, Tughans LLP, Ashurst, and Tetra Tech.
During the process, Finnebrogue were advised by Piper Sandler, Carson McDowell and EY.
