De Heus Voeders, a Dutch animal nutrition and feed production company, has moved downstream and acquired poultry processor Kessels Holding.

The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Kessels Holding encompasses entities including Van der Linden & Co., Van der Linden & Co. Beheer and Van der Linden Diervoeders. 

Kessels Holding had been seeking a “suitable successor” for the current directors and shareholders, Jan and Geert Kessels, a statement announcing the deal read.

Kessels Holding’s assets comprise a compound feed factory named Van der Linden Diervoeders, a broiler farm known as Van der Linden Poultry Farms and a broiler slaughterhouse called Van der Linden Poultry Products. 

The company, a family business founded in 1876, processes chicks from its farms and other broiler farmers, supplying chicken products mainly for export.  

Its products are distributed to customers across Europe and beyond, including whole chicks and various parts. 

The broiler slaughterhouse employs approximately 65 permanent staff and 25 part-time workers, with operations divided into departments such as supply, ready-to-cook, packaging, section, and dispatch.  

Geert Kessels will continue as operational director for slaughtering activities, while Jan Kessels will soon retire, transferring his responsibilities. 

De Heus said there would be no changes to the daily operations for the suppliers and customers of Van der Linden Poultry Products. 

“Naturally, all existing agreements will be respected and continued,” De Heus added.  

Headquartered in Ede, Gelderland, the Netherlands, De Heus produces feeds, premixes and concentrates.