MALTON, UNITED KINGDOM — Sofina Foods Inc., one of the largest Canadian-owned food companies, announced the acquisition of Finnebrogue on June 30.

Finnebrogue is a family-owned food manufacturer established in 1991 by Denis and Christine Lynn. Based in County Down, Northern Ireland, the company currently employs 1,200 team members across four processing facilities.

Finnebrogue’s portfolio ranges from outdoor-bred pork, sausages, rashers and ham to plant-based alternatives.

“This acquisition will allow Sofina Foods to continue our journey of ambitious expansion,” said Michael Latifi, founder, chairman and chief executive officer of Sofina Foods. “We have created a global foundation for continued growth, with a history of excellence in food production and processing spanning over 30 years. Both Sofina Foods and Finnebrogue share a common culture of excellence, discipline and integrity, and I look forward to building on the strengths of both companies.”

Finnebrogue will fall under Sofina Foods Europe’s umbrella. With the acquisition, Sofina Foods Europe now employs 9,000 team members across 27 sites.

“This is an exciting step forward for Sofina Foods Europe,” said Ash Amirahmadi, CEO of Sofina Foods Europe. “Finnebrogue is a hugely successful, award-winning business with similar values and principles to Sofina Foods Europe. I look forward to welcoming everyone at Finnebrogue to the Sofina Foods family and drawing upon the significant expertise that exists across both businesses.”

Sofina Foods Europe is a leading supplier of both branded and own-label seafood and pork products. The pork division empowers Sofina to be one of the largest processors and suppliers of pork products across the United Kingdom and Ireland, the company said. Additionally, the seafood division sets the company up as the largest provider of chilled and frozen products across the United Kingdom a major player in frozen seafood across Germany and France, noted Sofina Foods.

Finnebrogue will complement Sofina Foods Europe’s existing food distribution network throughout Europe.

“I’m delighted that Finnebrogue is joining Sofina Foods Europe, and I know that this great business will continue to flourish as part of the Sofina family, whose purpose-driven values align closely with our own, unlocking new opportunities for our people, our products and our customers,” said Roger Burnley, chair of Finnebrogue.

Co-Founder of Finnebrogue Christine Lynn added, “The time has now come for me to hand over the baton, and to do so to Sofina, who I know will uphold Denis’s legacy and take Finnebrogue on to its next chapter.”

The Finnebrogue addition is part of Sofina Foods’ current expansion strategy.

Last month, Sofina Foods announced the acquisition of poultry company Exceldor Cooperative, which operates across Quebec, Ontario and Manitoba.