RANDERS – After months of extensive analysis, Danish Crown has finally decided to build its new cattle slaughtering plant, should its board of directors decide to move forward) in Holsted, Vejen Municipality in Southern Denmark.

“Municipalities all over Denmark have shown a lot of interest in the project, which is extremely positive, and our decision is therefore based on very thorough deliberations,” said Lorenz Hansen, managing director of DC Beef. “However, many factors must be taken into account, and our analyses show that Vejen is the best solution for us.”


Should it come to fruition, this move will represent an investment of more than DKK 500 million (US$96 million) in Danish jobs. During the process which kicked off back in March Danish Crown has been wooed by many municipalities eager to ensure the potential 300 jobs that the project entails. But plot and location are just two important factors – the cost of deliveries, waste-water treatment and a long list of other aspects have also been carefully assessed.

“Danish Crown’s decision to build a modern cattle slaughterhouse in Vejen Municipality is a victory for the entire region,” said Egon Fræhr, mayor of Vejen. “When a big company like Danish Crown chooses to build in Denmark’s ‘strategic intersection’, it will have a positive knock-on effect across the entire region. It shows that our municipality is worth investing in and that we are also able to cater for really big companies.”

Concurrently, with its recent negotiations with Danish Crown, Vejen Municipality was able to acquire the plot in Rødding, which was formerly the site of Danish Crown’s meat-cutting division.

Danish Crown’s board of directors is expected to make a final decision on whether Denmark will have a new cattle slaughterhouse in spring 2012.