Dutch food giant Vion has completed its much anticipated acquisition of Grampian Country Food Group.

The deal, signed on Saturday (14 June), significantly boosts Vion’s position in the UK market place, where it already has operations in the fresh pork, bacon and sausage markets.

Under the new company structure, Grampian will be integrated into the new Vion UK division, which will be managed by a new UK-based chief executive, Ton Chrisiaanse, who currently heads up Vion’s Convenience division.

Vion already operates in the UK through Key Country Foods, J&J Tranfield, Vion Food UK and Oerlemans Foods.

The £1.7bn Grampian business was put up for sale in October, and was rumoured to have been the subject of interest from a number of UK and international food companies.