North Yorkshire meat products maker Sofina Foods has acquired Northern Ireland counterpart Finnebrogue in an undisclosed deal.
The Malton-based manufacturer of pork and seafood products, which also has bases in Grimsby, Hull and Scunthorpe, has bought the County Down specialist in outdoor-bred pork, sausages, rashers, and ham, as well as plant-based alternatives which employs about 1,200 people. The deal means £2bn revenue Sofina Foods Europe is now about 9,000 strong across 27 sites and includes the Young's seafood brand.
Finnebrogue was founded in 1991 by entrepreneur Denis Lynn, who built the business into a leading supplier of meat products as part of Lynn's County Foods, which saw turnover reach nearly £160m in the year to the end of February 2024. Mr Lynn died in 2021 and is described by the business as an inspiration.
Michael Latifi, founder, chairman and CEO of 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, 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, whose 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 of Finnebrogue said: "My late husband Denis and I started Finnebrogue Venison in December 1991. With Denis’s vision and innovation, the business grew into one of the leading food companies in Northern Ireland, making food the best it could be, without being bound by the way it had always been done, and creating over 1,200 jobs along the way.
"In May 2021, my husband tragically died; from then on I have had the support and backing of the leadership team which Denis created, and I am so proud that Finnebrogue has continued to prosper and grow. But the time has now come for me to hand over the baton, and to do so to Sofina who I know will uphold Denis’s legacy and take Finnebrogue on to its next chapter."
