LÉVIS, QUEBEC — Sofina Foods Inc., a privately owned Canadian company that manufactures primary and further processed protein products, recently announced the acquisition of poultry company Exceldor Cooperative.

The transaction is subject to approval by Exceldor’s members at its annual meeting on June 5, along with approval from the Competition Bureau in Canada.

“Since our founding 30 years ago, Sofina has steadily grown to become one of Canada’s leading food processors, with an uncompromising commitment to operational excellence,” said Michael Latifi, founder, chairman and chief executive officer of Sofina Foods. “This transaction reflects our desire to continue investing in the Canadian poultry industry, in plants and capabilities, to better serve Canadian consumers from coast to coast. Exceldor is a well-established organization with whom we share a common culture of excellence, discipline and integrity. We look forward to working with Exceldor’s team to further elevate its flagship brands in Quebec and across Canada.”

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

With complementary operations, Sofina and Exceldor believe the move will strengthen the companies’ national presence while helping the growth in various brands across Canada including Exceldor, Lacroix, Granny’s, Butterball and Saha Halal.

“This agreement is a unique opportunity that will enable us to continue our activities in an increasingly competitive environment,” said René Proulx, president and CEO of Exceldor Cooperative. “The proposed acquisition by Sofina ensures the long-term legacy of generations of producers and employees who built the Exceldor Cooperative. It gives us the tools to strengthen our operations and create new opportunities for our producers and employees.”

Exceldor is made up of approximately 330 producers in Quebec, Ontario and Manitoba while employing more than 3,700 people.