HARBRO has acquired Cargill Animal Nutrition & Health’s business in Dalton, North Yorkshire, including its feed manufacturing plant and associated operations.
The feed compounder said the acquisition would extend its geographical reach, broaden its product range and strengthen its supply chain.
See also: Ukraine escalation and European drought push feed costs up £13/t
It will also add further expertise across livestock species, manufacturing, innovation and animal performance, according to Harbro.
The Dalton manufacturing facility was initially developed by Provimi and has subsequently been operated and invested in by Cargill.
Harbro said it would continue to invest in both the site and its workforce, with a focus on maintaining standards in product quality, safety, regulatory compliance and nutrition.
The company plans to combine the technical expertise and international insight of the two businesses to strengthen its nutritional offering for farmers, wholesale customers and the wider livestock sector.
Integration expected by early 2027
Cargill’s Dalton operation will initially continue to trade as a separate company while the two businesses integrate their systems and processes.
Harbro expects that integration work to be completed by early 2027.
Chris Baxter, chief executive of Harbro, said: “We are delighted to welcome Cargill Dalton’s team into the Harbro Group.
“The capability, expertise and standards within the business make it an excellent fit for Harbro and will allow us to expand our offering, strengthen our customer relationships, and deliver even greater value across the UK market.
Enhanced solutions
“By combining the strengths of both teams, we are excited to enhance our nutritional solutions and support improved performance for farmers, wholesale partners and the wider livestock industry.”
Harbro said the two companies shared a similar approach to developing long-term relationships with customers and suppliers. It believes bringing the Dalton operation into the group will create further opportunities for customers, commercial partners and employees.
Helene Ziv-Douki, senior vice-president of Cargill Animal Nutrition & Health EMEAI and Global Salmon, said the timing was right to transfer the business.
“We thank our Dalton team and their commitment to serving the animal nutrition market in the UK,” she said.
‘Partnership’
“This is the right time to transition the business to Harbro, allowing both organisations to focus on where they can have the greatest impact for their customers. We look forward to continuing to partner with them in the future.”
Harbro manufactures feeds for the beef, sheep, dairy, pig and poultry sectors from several sites across the UK.
The group also operates an on-farm mobile milling and mixing service, a network of agricultural and rural retail stores, and a wholesale division supplying agricultural businesses in the UK and international customers.
