Vion reaches principal commercial agreement with Tönnies Group for the acquisition of Vion’s German beef activities

Boxtel, 5 September 2024. Vion Food Group has reached a commercial agreement with Tönnies Group for the acquisition of the majority of Vion’s German beef activities. The contemplated transaction follows the German portfolio review that was announced in January 2024 and the strategic shift to focus primarily on Benelux. The proposed deal is subject to approval from the relevant competition authorities, customary approvals and closing conditions and is expected to complete in 2025.  

Following a comprehensive review of its German portfolio and the divestments of Landshut and Vilshofen, Vion has made further progress with restructuring its German assets including slaughtering, deboning and by-products beef activities in southern Germany. 

The contemplated transaction would involve Tönnies Group acquiring Vion’s beef operations in Buchloe, Crailsheim (including pork), and Waldkraiburg. It would also include the Hilden deboning facility, the hide processing plants of BestHides in Memmingen and Eching-Weixerau, as well as the majority of Vion’s German central support activities. The South German beef operations are renowned for their high-quality output and strong demand both domestically and internationally. Tönnies Group’s prospective acquisition will ensure that these crucial activities continue to thrive and expand while maintaining the established supply chains and customer relationships. Vion Food Group will retain its stake in the Furth im Wald beef facility in South Germany. The remaining German Vion entities have the full support of Vion, and all commercial relationships will continue as usual.  

“This anticipated transaction is a significant step in Vion’s strategic realignment. We promised to secure the most capable partners to ensure prosperous future development for the businesses to be divested and we also promised to increase our investments in the retained businesses. We now take another step in fulfilling our commitments. We are confident that Tönnies Group will provide the support and focus needed for continued growth and success,” explains Vion’s CEO Ronald Lotgerink.