The Boparan Private Office (BPO), headquartered in Birmingham, UK, has purchased turkey and chicken processor Heidemark, Ahlhorn.
The move will see Heidemark become part of the Storteboom Food Group, the BPO’s European division, a company it bought in 2024 for a fee of more than €200 million.
This latest acquisition forms part of a plan to strengthen the group’s poultry presence within Europe, with the Heidemark business to be integrated as an independent German business unit complementing operations in the Netherlands, Poland, and the Republic of Ireland.
The Heidemark Group, Ahlhorn is a third-generation family business, and over the last two years has developed from a leading turkey meat producer and marketer into a broad-based poultry specialist through strategic decisions and acquisitions. The group employs 2,300 people at five locations and currently has a turnover of around €760 million.
The acquisition will see the team at Heidemark retained, including its leadership who will continue to drive the strategy already outlined for the business. The German poultry firm will also maintain its current name.
Christopher Kalvelage, current owner of Heidemark, commented: “We are pleased that we have found a buyer in Ranjit Boparan who will continue to run Heidemark in our entrepreneurial spirit. The promise that all employees will keep their jobs, and that management will remain on board was very important to us. The prospects of the new owner have also convinced us, the Kalvelage family, very much. The name Heidemark will continue to stand for good corporate policy and excellent products in Germany.”
CEO Andres Ruff will continue at the helm of Heidemark, navigating the firm through its next phase of growth.
“With our expertise in turkeys and our overall strategy in poultry, this acquisition forms an excellent basis for organic growth in continental Europe,” the chief executive said.
“Together we want to further develop the poultry business. The businesses truly complement each other and the current locations of Heidemark will be retained whilst we are also planning further investments.”
Commenting on the deal, Ranjit Boparan, president of Boparan Private Office said the business is “delighted” and thanks Kalvelage family for entrusting it with the next generation of growth for the business.
He said: “The business fits perfectly into our wider group ‘Next Gen’ strategy as we look to develop our manufacturing facilities to deliver enhanced automation, innovation, productivity and Net Zero sustainability. We have huge respect for the Heidemark business and believe there is much we can learn from each other in the years ahead.”
Veli Moluluo, CEO of Storteboom Food Group, added: “Heidemark’s expertise in poultry supports our plans on a broader European level. The acquisition is part of a long-term European strategy that is geared towards sustainable capacity growth, the expansion of product innovation and the strengthening of transparent supply chains.”
The sale of the business is subject to merger control clearance by the European Commission. The companies have said they anticipate an appropriate and speedy conclusion within the framework of the legal procedure. Until the conclusion of the antitrust process, both companies will continue to operate independently of each other.
