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Pilgrim's Europe has announced plans to acquire Walkers Deli & Sausage Company from chilled food manufacturer Samworth Brothers, strengthening its position across the UK premium pork and value-added meat sectors.
The proposed transaction remains subject to customary regulatory approvals, including clearance from the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), as well as a formal employee consultation process. Financial terms of the agreement have not been disclosed.
Based in Leicester, Walkers Deli & Sausage Company dates back to 1824 and employs approximately 1,150 people. The manufacturer produces a range of value-added pork products, including premium sausages, sliced cooked meats, cooked bacon, snacking items, and pâté, supplying private-label ranges to major UK food retailers.
The acquisition is structured to build upon an established commercial supply relationship between Pilgrim's Europe and Walkers Deli & Sausage, reinforcing Pilgrim's integrated pork supply chain across the United Kingdom.
Ivan Siqueira, President of Pilgrim's Europe, stated that bringing Walkers Deli & Sausage into the group will strengthen the business's integrated supply chain, expand its footprint in high-growth premium pork categories, and enhance service capabilities for retail customers across the UK. Siqueira highlighted the target company's skilled workforce, operational heritage, and product innovation standards as key strategic fits for the enterprise.
Realignment for Samworth Brothers
For Samworth Brothers, the divestment forms part of a broader corporate reorganisation to concentrate capital and operational resources on its primary food divisions.
The sale allows Samworth Brothers to focus investment across its core food-to-go, savoury pastry, prepared meals, and branded business units.
Simon Wookey, Chief Executive Officer of Samworth Brothers, noted that the increasing specialisation and vertical integration across the protein processing sector makes Pilgrim's Europe a suitable long-term owner for Walkers Deli & Sausage, providing the operational scale and dedicated supply chain infrastructure required to support the business's next growth phase.
Following transaction completion, both companies confirmed they will prioritise supporting affected personnel throughout the organisational transition while maintaining store-level customer service and product quality standards across existing supply contracts.
