Penta private equity group acquires their shareholder rights in the Debreceni group. Their intention is mainly to develop and further expand the traditional quality of products.
“We want to build on the success of Debreceni and help them to find new markets for their high quality products. Our entry is a part of our strategic plan to create a Central European meat producers holding. Debreceni is to become firm part of it.” Jozef Špirko, private equity group Penta partner, says.
“The global situation in meat industry is complex; it comes as no surprise that ever-growing input costs drive producers to increasingly higher efficiency. We have decided to cooperate with a strong partner because we believe in the need of consolidating producers in this region. We will be happy to continue being a part of the development of Debreceni group and the emerging holding.” Gyula Roman, the main owner of the Debreceni group said.
The Hungarian and Slovak antitrust offices have already approved the concentration. It involves the companies Debrecéni Hús, Szolemeat and Csaba Hús. The General Meeting of the Group that decided about the change in its bodies was held on 25 June 2008. Gyula Roman was elected a member of the Supervisory Board, the Chairman of the Supervisory Board is Jozef Špirko, private equity group Penta partner. István Kovács continues to be the CEO of the group.
Basic information:
The Debreceni group is the second largest meat producer in Hungary with a 20 % market share in meat and 10% in meat products. Its companies are the SzoleMeat, Debreceni Hús, Kápúvári Hús and CsabaHús Revenues of the Group on 31 December 2007 were EUR 130 million, the number of employees is around 1,000 The Group was founded in 1894. Its product assortment includes durable meat products, soft salami, soft meat products and specialties.
Penta in meat industry
- February 2007 – Penta has become 100% owner of PM Zbrojníky company, the fourth largest producer in the Slovak Republic
- June 2008 – Penta has become 100% owner of the Mecom group, which is the largest producer in the Slovak Republic
- June 2008 – Penta has become 99% owner of the Debreceni group, which is the second largest producer in Hungary
- Second half of 2008 – expected acquisitions in meat industry in the Czech market