Brussels has said that the transaction, which was first announced in February, does not raise any competition concerns and has now been formally completed.
As a result, the German turkey producer will now form part of the European division of the Storteboom Food Group, which is wholly owned by Boparan Private Office.
Based in Ahlhorn, Lower Saxony, Heidemark currently employs 2,300 people across five locations and boasts a turnover of £662 million.
Through “strategic decisions and acquisitions”, the group has grown over the last two years from one of Europe’s leading turkey meat manufacturers and marketers into a broad‑based poultry specialist.
“We were very pleased to receive the approval of the European Competition Office and to conclude the acquisition of Heidemark,” said Ranjit Boparan, president of BPO.
“Our combination strengthens our group’s ‘Next Gen’ strategy for advanced automation, innovation, productivity and net‑zero sustainability.
He continued: “Heidemark is a third‑generation family business and is a well‑established brand and business, and we will maintain and grow what they have created and make the Heidemark family proud.”
“This acquisition strengthens our European reach and our international growth strategy, and we will learn from our Heidemark colleagues as much as they will learn from us.”
Heidemark will continue to be led by CEO Andres Ruff and his team, and will continue to “systematically work on the implementation of its growth plans” as a business unit of the Storteboom Food Group.
BPO has confirmed that the Heidemark company name will remain, and that the leadership, management team and all colleagues will be retained.
All of its current sites will also remain in use, and “further investments” are planned.
Ruff added: “The European Commission’s approval is an important milestone for Heidemark. Our employees, farmers and customers expressly welcome the merger.
“As a European centre of excellence for turkey production, we are bringing our decades of experience, our innovative strength and our market knowledge to the Storteboom Food Group in a targeted manner.
He concluded: “Together, we are laying the foundation for further organic growth in continental Europe while simultaneously strengthening sustainable, competitive poultry production.”
