Clearwater Ireland has advised Boparan Holdings Ltd, the parent company of 2 Sisters Food Group, on the sale of Green Isle Brands Ltd, encompassing the Green Isle and Donegal Catch brands. The sale also included the largest primary whitefish processing site in Ireland, located in Gurteen, County Sligo. The sale of Green Isle Brands Ltd, further strengthens the 2 Sisters Food Group’s balance sheet and demonstrates commitment to its core strategy.
Founded in 1993, 2 Sisters Food Group is one of the UK’s largest food manufacturers, employing around 20,000 people. It has a strong presence in the UK’s poultry, chilled and frozen food categories. Its customers include Aldi, Asda, Co-op, KFC, Lidl, Marks & Spencer, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose. Other brands include Fox’s Biscuits, Holland’s Pies and Matthew Walker Christmas Puddings.
Green Isle Brands Ltd, based in Naas, County Kildare, is one of Ireland’s largest consumer food manufacturers, employing over 100 people, across two of Ireland’s most iconic brands - Donegal Catch and Green Isle. Donegal Catch includes a range of frozen and chilled fish products and is the largest purchaser of white fish in the Irish catching sector. Green Isle is the leading Irish frozen vegetable brand, offering a healthy and tasty range of vegetables, chips, and potatoes.
Green Isle Brands Ltd has been bought by a consortium of investors headed by experienced food industry executive Maurice Hickey and including the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund, Ireland’s sovereign wealth fund. Mr Hickey was Chief Executive of Largo Foods (Tayto) for 11 years before stepping down in 2018.
