Dawn Meats has announced the acquisition of Alexander Eyckeler GmbH, a Germany-based meat importer and distributor.
The move follows Dawn Meats’ acquisition of a 65% stake in New-Zealand-based Alliance Group, and the new acquisition is part of the Irish business’ ongoing integration with Alliance.
Alexander Eyckeler is a long-standing German customer of the Alliance Group and is one of Alliance’s largest customers for lamb, mutton and venison.
It supplies retail, food service and cash and carry markets across Germany.
The company imports, distributes and manages Alliance’s Ashley Lamb, Mutton and Venison brands, which Dawn Meats said has a dominant market share in Germany.
Alexander Eyckeler
Alexander Eyckeler is based in Erkrath, near Düsseldorf in north-west Germany.
The company is named after its founder Alexander Eyckeler, who died last year. He established his own firm 25 years ago and built it into a specialist importer, distributor and account manager.
The company has been involved in the importing and marketing of chilled and frozen meat specialities from overseas since its foundation.
Commenting on the acquisition, Niall Browne, chief executive of Dawn Meats, said: “This acquisition supports Dawn Meats’ ongoing integration with Alliance and strengthens our ability to serve customers in-market.
“It brings Dawn Meats closer to key customers in Germany, improves co-ordination across supply and logistics and provides continuity for the Eyckeler team and its customers,” Browne added.
‘New chapter’
Markus Wagner, managing director of Alexander Eyckeler, said: “This development marks a new chapter in the company’s long-standing partnership with Alliance Group and its parent company Dawn Meats.
“We are confident that the trusted relationships built over decades with all our customers and suppliers will remain at the heart of Alexander Eyckeler GmbH’s approach, with the current team continuing to manage key accounts and oversee daily operations.
“Customers and partners can be assured that the core values of quality, service and continuity will remain unchanged, preserving the legacy established by Alexander Eyckeler and the Eyckeler family in the German market.”
Also commenting on the acquisition, James McWilliam, commercial director with Alliance, said that the Ashley brand has a “strong presence in Germany and a proud history with customers across the market”.
“Alexander Eyckeler GmbH has played an important role in building that presence through long-standing relationships for decades,” he added.
“Alliance’s relationship with the Eyckeler family spans almost 40 years, beginning when the family established an exclusive butcher shop in Düsseldorf,” McWilliam added.