Dawn Meats has acquired German meat importer and distributor Alexander Eyckeler for an undisclosed sum.
The move followed the Irish red meat processor’s purchase of a 65% stake in New Zealand’s Alliance Group in October 2025.
Alexander Eyckeler is one of Alliance’s largest customers and supplies lamb, mutton and venison to retail, food service and cash & carry markets across Germany.
It is also an important account manager for the Alliance Ashley lamb, mutton and venison brand, which has a dominant market share in Germany.
Alexander Eyckeler’s sale followed the death of eponymous co-founder Alexander Eyckeler in 2025.
The company, which handles approximately 6.5k tonnes of fresh and frozen lamb and beef, will be folded into Dawn Meats as part of the integration of Alliance’s business into the group.
CEO Niall Browne said the acquisition brought Dawn Meats closer to core customers in Germany, improved co-ordination across supply and logistics and provided continuity for the Eyckeler team and its customers.
Alexander Eyckeler managing director and co-founder Markus Wagner added the sale marked a new chapter in the company’s long-standing partnership with Alliance.
“We are confident the trusted relationships built over decades with all our customers and suppliers will remain at the heart of Alexander Eyckeler’s approach, with the current team continuing to manage key accounts and oversee daily operations,” he said.
“Customers and partners can be assured that the core values of quality, service and continuity will remain unchanged, preserving the legacy established by Alexander Eyckeler and the Eyckeler family in the German market.”
Established in Ireland in 1980, Dawn Meats generates more than €4.75bn in annual revenues and employs in excess of 12,000 staff in 13 countries.Trading as Dawn Meats in Ireland, Dunbia in the UK and Alliance through its joint partnership in New Zealand, the combined businesses process approximately 1.6m cattle and 8m sheep annually.
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