"Wanting to get closer to the end-users of our products is part and parcel of our 4WD strategy. This is by no means a major acquisition, but it is an important step in our efforts to create the right conditions for our UK foodservice business to be able to grow organically," says Danish Crown’s Group CEO Jais Valeur.

Founded in 1880, Leivers Brothers Ltd has been a supplier of bacon, fresh meat, cheese, sausages and cold cuts to butchers, restaurants and canteens for many decades.

"This is a very exciting step for the UK. While foodservice is a new business area for us, in which our pioneering spirit has brought us far in a relatively short time, next on the agenda is the integration of Leivers Brothers with the rest of our business. The synergies are obvious; I would go so far as to describe this as a major development for our foodservice division," says Lars Albertsen, CEO of Danish Crown UK.

Danish Crown is taking over Leivers Brothers Ltd with immediate effect as the acquisition does not require the approval of the competition authorities.