Banham Poultry takeover may have broken competition rules
The takeover of Banham Poultry by Boparan Private Office (BPO) hangs in the balance as the deal may have broken market competition rules.
The Competitions and Market Authority (CMA) is investigating whether the takeover of the Attleborough poultry firm would result in the new parent company owning too too big a market share.
BPO already owns turkey giant Bernard Matthews and the 2 Sisters Food Group.
The CMA is due to make its decision about the sale by the end of next week, with an announcement expected before March 25.
The sale of Barnham Poultry was completed on October 18 2021, but it had not been fully finalised when an initial enforcement order (IEO) was issued at the start of November.
Prior to the takeover bid, the poultry factory, which processes more than one million chickens a week, had been struggling.
When the deal with BMO was first announced in October last year a spokesperson for Banham Poultry said: “We have a strong track record in investing in and supporting the food processing and agricultural sectors, and we are totally committed to maintaining production capacity and jobs at the Banham site.
“This acquisition should be viewed as very good news for Banham employees, farmers, customers and suppliers and we will ensure that their needs will continue to be fulfilled.”
by Derin Clark / Eastern Daily Press
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