Holy cow! Waterford food giant will now process one million cattle every year

Dawn Meats, one of Waterford’s biggest employers. will now process one million cattle and three million sheep across Ireland and the UK every year after the company announced it is taking full control of a joined venture it set up three years ago.

In a statement, Dawn Meats confirmed it is taking full control of the Dunbia business that was jointly established in 2017 after the merger of their combined operations. It follows the announcement of Jim Dobson’s retirement from Dunbia.

Jim Dobson co-founded Dunbia with his brother Jack in 1976. Together they grew Dunbia into one of Northern Ireland’s largest private companies exporting to 36 countries.

Dawn Meats CEO Niall Browne said merging the operations in the UK has been a strategic success for the food producing giant, which employs more than 7,200 people in Waterford and across the country.

Mr Browne 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 centered 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.”