Following the announcement of chairman Jim Dobson’s retirement, Dawn Meats is to take full control over its joint venture with Dunbia.

Dobson leaves the business 44 years after co-founding it with his brother Jack in 1976, growing Dunbia into one of Northern Ireland’s largest private companies exporting to 36 countries.

The business in the UK will continue to trade under the Dunbia brand with the same management team across 12 processing facilities in Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

“Combining our operations in the UK has been a strategic success based on a strong cultural fit between two family owned businesses that shared a deep connection to farming and an ethos centred on quality and sustainability.”

The 2017 deal between Dawn Meats and Dunbia also saw Dawn Meats acquire Dunbia’s Republic of Ireland operations, resulting in a total of 10 Dawn Meats facilities.

Dawn’s combined businesses in the UK and Ireland now process approximately 1 million cattle and 3 million sheep annually, employing over 7,000 staff, and working with over 30,000 farmer suppliers.

Commenting on the announcement, Dobson said: “The creation of the joint venture with Dawn Meats ensured the business would continue to grow as a leading quality meat supplier in the UK market. I want to thank all the team that has worked on the integration and feel confident that they are well-placed to build on all our past achievements together.”

Niall Browne, CEO of Dawn Meats said: “Combining our operations in the UK has been a strategic success based on a strong cultural fit between two family owned businesses that shared a deep connection to farming and an ethos centred on quality and sustainability. Jim is a legend within our industry and we are proud to maintain the traditions and name he created as we continue to serve our UK customers and farmer suppliers.”