Crossgar firm bought by major US company

Crossgar firm bought by major US company

13 June 2012 - by BY DAVID TELFORD

CROSSGAR Foodservice has a new owner.

The leading food distribution company which employs 238 people has been purchased by the American-based Sysco Corporation.

Sysco has signed an agreement to acquire the Crossgar firm through its Pallas Foods subsidiary based in Newcastle West, Co. Limerick.

Details of the transaction — which is subject to competition

authority approval in the Republic of Ireland — have not been disclosed.

Crossgar Foodservice is the umbrella organisation for Crossgar Meats and Crossgar Poultry and is one of the district’s largest employers.

It’s product range includes poultry, meat, chilled and frozen products and non-food items which are sold throughout Ireland and Great Britain.

Company chairman, Mr. Gerald Bell, said Crossgar Foodservice is very pleased to join the Sysco family and to work with Pallas Foods to strengthen Sysco’s operations across Ireland.

“The transaction provides the business with a number of benefits, mainly enhanced distribution and wider product choice for our customers,” he explained.

“We look forward to providing the same great services to our customers and showing them and even broader line of quality assured food service products.”

Mike Green, Sysco executive vice-president and group president, described Crossgar Foodservice as a “strong company with excellent customer relationships.”

He continued: “This investment, along with the acquisition of Pallas Foods in 2009, represents our commitment to the Ireland market. We look forward to welcoming Crossgar Foodservice to Sysco.”

Crossgar councillor Terry Andrews said staff were informed of the company’s sale yesterday afternoon.

He said Crossgar Foodservice’s existing management team will remain in place following its acquisition by the American firm which reported record sales of $39bn dollars last year.

“All existing staff will be retained and that’s great news for them, their families and the local economy. Sysco is a recognised global leader in selling, marketing and distributing food products and it’s great that a local firm is now part of this operation,” he said.

“Staff I have spoken to are delighted Crossgar Foodservice is now an even bigger player in the growing food distribution sector and are looking forward to the future with confidence.”