Tuesday, 12 May 2026 10:25

Dawn Meats acquires German distributor Alexander Eyckeler GmbH

Written by  Staff Reporters
Dawn Meats chief executive Niall Browne. Dawn Meats chief executive Niall Browne.

Irish meat processor Dawn Meats has acquired Alexander Eyckeler GmbH, a long-standing German customer and partner of Alliance Group, for an undisclosed sum.

Alexander Eyckeler GmbH is one of Alliance's largest customers for lamb, mutton and venison, supplying retail, food service and cash and carry markets across Germany.

The company imports, distributes and key account manages Alliance’s Ashley lamb, mutton and venison brand, which has a dominant market share in Germany.

Acquisition Builds on Investment

The acquisition follows Dawn Meats' recent acquisition of Alliance Group in New Zealand.

Last year, the Irish company purchased a 65% stake in Alliance for $270 million while New Zealand farmer shareholders retained a 35% stake.

Niall Browne, Dawn Meats' chief executive, says the acquisition of Alexander Eyckeler GmbH supports the company's ongoing integration with Alliance, strengthening its ability to serve customers in-market.

“It brings Dawn closer to key customers in Germany, improves co-ordination across supply and logistics and provides continuity for the Eyckeler team and its customers," Browne says.

Four decades of partnership with the Eyckeler family

James McWilliam, Alliance Commercial Director, says the brand has a strong presence in Germany and a proud history with customers across the market.

“Alexander Eyckeler GmbH has played an important role in building that presence through long standing relationships for decades," McWilliam says.

Alliance’s relationship with the Eyckeler family spans almost 40 years, beginning when the family established an exclusive butcher shop in Düsseldorf.

Alexander Eyckeler, who passed away last year, established his own firm almost 20 years ago, building it into a specialist importer, distributor and key account manager serving Germany’s most prominent retail, food service and cash and carry brands.

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