Eight Fifty Food Group Acquires Carroll’s Cuisine
Eight Fifty Food Group, a leading supplier of both branded and own-label seafood and pork controlled by CapVest Partners, the international private equity investor, has acquired Carroll’s Cuisine from Carlyle Cardinal Ireland, for an undisclosed consideration. Carroll’s is a leading producer of cooked meats and convenience food in the Republic of Ireland. The business employs approximately 300 people at its site in Tullamore, County Offaly.
Carroll’s will be integrated into Eight Fifty’s pork division and will further expand Eight Fifty’s presence in the Republic of Ireland following the acquisition of M&M Walshe in June 2020. Carroll’s sliced cooked meat offering will be highly complementary to M&M Walshe’s gammon, bacon and sous-vide meat products.
Upon completion, Eight Fifty will have sales of circa £1.9 billion and employ around 8,300 people across 23 manufacturing sites in the UK, Republic of Ireland, Germany and France.
Di Walker, CEO of Eight Fifty Food Group, commented: “Eight Fifty are guardians of strong brands across multiple proteins and so we are delighted to add the Carroll’s business to our growing group. Like our Young’s brand in seafood, the Carroll’s name is synonymous with quality, value-added protein products. Carroll’s will be a great addition to our business.”
Commenting on behalf of Carroll’s, John Comerford, said: “The interest in Carroll’s is testament to the work that CCI and the entire Carroll’s management team have completed over the last five years. Through continuous investment and innovation, we have delivered the highest quality produce to our customer base. We’re excited to work with Eight Fifty and deliver their ambitious future growth plans.”
Jason Rodrigues, Partner, CapVest, said: “Carroll’s is another great European addition to our growing portfolio and creates the premier integrated platform of value-added pork products in Ireland. We look forward to leveraging the Eight Fifty platform to further develop the business going forward.”
The transaction is subject to standard closing conditions and approval from the Irish Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.
