The proposed acquisition of Dunbia Ltd (Ireland) and Dunbia (Slane) by Dawn Meats has been notified to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CPCC).
The notification also includes plans to establish a joint venture company, which will acquire the beef and lamb businesses in the UK, of the Dunbia Group and the Dawn Meats Group.
The proposed acquisition will be assessed by the CPCC and third parties have until June 3, 2017, to lodge submissions with the authority on the proposed deal.
In late May, a strategic partnership between Dawn Meats and Dunbia was announced.
This will follow the addition of two complementary Dunbia facilities; one abattoir in Slane, Co. Meath, and one boning hall in Kilbeggan, Co. Westmeath.
It is expected that the combined UK businesses will trade as Dunbia.
It is hoped it will deliver enhanced scale and market presence, in order to better serve existing farmer suppliers and customers of both organisations across the retail, manufacturing, wholesale and food-service sectors.
The new joint venture is set to offer customers regionally-sourced solutions for both beef and lamb, from 15 facilities across Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Dunbia’s CEO Jim Dobson will become the head of the new Dunbia joint venture, while Dawn Meats CEO Niall Browne will take up the role of Executive Chairman.
The joint venture will be run from Dunbia’s existing headquarters in Dungannon, Co. Tyrone.