Dawn Meats acquires German distributor Alexander Eyckeler GmbH
Irish meat processor Dawn Meats has acquired Alexander Eyckeler GmbH, a long-standing German customer and partner of Alliance Group, for an undisclosed sum.
Dawn Meats chief executive Niall Browne says their joint venture with Alliance Group will create “a dynamic industry competitor”.
Browne says a unique combination of customer relationships, resources, skills, routes to market and industry knowledge, will give both Dawn Meats and Alliance a powerful competitive edge, locally and globally.
His comments came after Alliance farmer shareholders voted in favour of the $270 million investment by Dawn Meats in exchange for a 65% stake in the co-operative.
“We are pleased and excited by the outcome of the vote by Alliance’s farmer-shareholders,” Browne says.
He says following an extensive engagement and due diligence process, Dawn Meats put forward a strong strategic partnership proposal involving a significant investment in a world-class company that shares their values, ambition and commitment.
“I would like to thank Alliance’s farmer-shareholders for carefully considering our offer over the last two months and supporting it to such an extent.”
He says Dawn Meats has a proven track record of successfully partnering with other businesses.
“We believe this joint venture with Alliance will assist in further growing and developing what is an excellent New Zealand business with a proud legacy of processing and exporting the highest-quality grass-fed lamb, beef and venison.
“Dawn Meats already has a strong operations network in Ireland, the UK and in the EU. Having the ability to now grow in partnership with some of New Zealand’s leading farmers, and create a year-round supply for our customers between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, is a fantastic opportunity and one our customers are already responding to.
“We believe this partnership will create a dynamic industry competitor with a unique combination of customer relationships, resources, skills, routes to market and industry knowledge, giving both Dawn Meats and Alliance a powerful competitive edge, locally and globally.”
He adds that the existing team in Dawn Meats and Dunbia look forward to working with their new colleagues in Alliance.
“I would like to welcome them to the Dawn Meats family.”
A recent Beef + Lamb New Zealand quad safety field day, held along the rugged Whanganui river valley at Kakatahi, focused on identifying risks and taking appropriate actions to minimise unplanned accidents.
Healthy snacking company Rockit has announced Wang Yibo, one of China's most influential celebrities, as its new brand ambassador.
Rabobank has celebrated the tenth anniversary of its AgPathways Programme, with 23 farmers from Otago and Southland gathering for two-and-a-half days to learn new business management and planning skills.
Adopting strategies to reduce worm burden on farm goes hand-in--hand with best practice farm management practices to optimise stock production and performance, veterinarian Andrew Roe says.
Last night saw the winners of the 2026 Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) Awards named at a gala dinner at Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre.
A 12-month pathway programme has helped kickstart a career in dairy for an 18-year-old student-turned-farmer.

OPINION: The old saying 'a new broom sweeps clean' doesn't always hold up, if you ask the Hound.
OPINION: This old mutt went to school to eat his lunch, but still knows the future of the country, and…