Cranswick expands pork processing business

Yorkshire food manufacturer Cranswick has expanded its pork business with the acquisition of the pork processing arm of Bowes at Watton in Norfolk.

The deal, which is reported to be worth £17m, will see the 620 workers at the Watton site join the company after the sale. That could be completed within 10 weeks, subject to clearance from the UK Competition Authorities.

The arable farming business will be retained by members of the Bowes family, while the pig-rearing business will be sold to a management buyout team. A pig supply agreement will be entered into on completion, covering the supply of pigs to the Cranswick-owned Bowes.