The Sokołów Group and the Gzella Meat Group join forces

The Sokołów Group, one of the leaders in the Polish meat market, announces the planned expansion by joining forces with companies owned by the Gzella Meat Group, the well-known and renowned producer of cold cuts from the Tuchola Forest region.

The consolidation with the Gzella Meat Group, which is to take place under a conditional contract, shall strengthen the position of both companies and their brands in the domestic and international markets.

The Gzella Meat Group has been active in the market for over 30 years. The main production plant is located in the town of Osie – in the natural, clean environment of the Tuchola Forest. It is considered to be one of the state-of-the-art plants of the meat processing sector in Europe, owing to the innovative technologies of manufacturing, packaging and storage of meats and cold cuts. The production potential of the plant allows it to process over 6000 tons of meat per month.

The Group has also its own logistical facilities and own network of stores, operating under the name Delikatesy Mięsne Gzella. The stores are located mostly in Northern and Central Poland.

Our mission is to act as a partner for customers and consumers, by ensuring top quality of our products, in line with their expectations, needs and the changing dietary habits. The addition of Gzella Group to the potential of Sokołów is yet another step to fulfill these goals. Our products will enrich the offer available in the Gzella Meat Group distribution channels, while Gzella products will be sold in the broad distribution network of Sokołów S.A., which comprises 39 distribution centers and 51 own stores, says Mr. Bogusław Miszczuk, President of the Management Board of Sokołów S.A.

When we decided to change the development direction of the Gzella Meat Group, we were looking for a renowned investor with good market standing, one who would guarantee that our current business would be upheld and developed, and that jobs would be kept. We wanted an investor who would offer our enterprise the most favorable conditions for strengthening its market position, for improving the profile and quality of production; who would bring in a trustworthy and powerful brand with an impressive track record. Sokołów fulfills all these expectations, said Mr. Mirosław Gzella, the founder and the majority shareholder of Grupa Mięsna Gzella.

Sokołów is the most widely recognized brand in the meat sector in Poland. For many years, the company has been at the forefront of brave improvements and raising standards. This was confirmed by numerous awards, such as the Poles' Favorite Brand, the Gold Sales Receipt, a number of medals and awards for individual products and the prestigious title of Reliable Employer of 2017.

Sokołów is an investor from the sector, with extensive experience and the most advanced know-how in the sector. This solid partner means that I can be certain that our employees will have stable and attractive employment conditions, and the Osie municipality, which developed together with us for 33 years, will continue to receive support for its actions meant to improve the quality of life for its residents. I am convinced that the company I built will remain on the path of improving its competitiveness and efficiency, and shall receive an additional impulse for innovative development and international expansion, sums up Mr. Mirosław Gzella.

For the transaction to be finalized, the consent of the President of the Office of Competition and Consumers Protection is required.