Switzerland-based food giant Bell Food has acquired German cured ham producer Hermann Wein to strengthen its long-term competitiveness.
The objective also includes consolidating production facilities at Bell Food’s convenience food subsidiaries Hügli and Eisberg, according to a statement today (4 November).
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It plans to shut the company’s Hügli plant in Redditch, the UK, and relocate production to its sites in Germany and the Czech Republic.
Bell Food said the Hermann Wein acquisition is part of an asset deal with the goal of strengthening the business’s position in the European cured ham market.
Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.
The deal is subject to approval of local competition authorities and is expected to close in the spring of 2026.
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By GlobalDataBell in Germany is part of the parent company’s international division, which also includes the businesses in Spain, France and Portugal.
According to the statement, the food maker plans to cease operations at its Redditch site, a move that will affect approximately 80 jobs.
Production will be switched to its factories in Radolfzell in Germany and Zàsmuky in the Czech Republic “over the medium term”. Bell said the move is aimed at improving capacity utilisation and achieving economies of scale.
Bell Food said its sales organisation will remain in place in the UK to “further expand the well-established market coverage” in the country.
Hügli is specialised in long-life convenience foods for retail and foodservice.
As part of the food giant’s optimisation efforts, the business said it is currently revising its Eisberg site in Marchtrenk, Austria, as a means to increase profitability in the long term.
Bell Food added: “As part of this focus, parts of the infrastructure and specific facilities will no longer be required. These measures will strengthen Eisberg’s competitiveness and create the conditions for improving site profitability.“
Just Food has contacted Bell Food for further details.
The company recently sold its Eisberg production facilities in Hungary, Poland and Romania.
The business said today the disposals had resulted in a “one-off gain of €11m [$12.6m] at the EBIT level and €7m at the company profit level”.
The company said “these measures will consolidate the Bell Food Group’s market position and optimise its production landscape”.
Bell Food said it expects to incur SFr60m ($74m) in write-downs connected with the facility consolidation.
Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, the company’s portfolio includes meat, poultry, cured meats, convenience and vegetarian products.
