German private-label meats producer Abbelen has been snapped up by the Netherlands-based Group of Butchers.

Financial details of the transaction have not been disclosed.

The move is expected to allow Group of Butchers to boost the number of “convenience meat products and vegetarian and vegan meat alternatives” within its portfolio, a statement from the company read.

Abbelen will swap hands from private-equity company Deutsche Beteiligungs AG (DBAG), which has owned the meatballs maker since 2017.

Operating from Frankfurt and Milan, DBAG bought Abbelen together with the UK own-label group, Oscar Mayer, in a bid to develop “a European market leader” in chilled convenience foods.

Both businesses were run under the umbrella group More than Meals, according to DBAG’s website.

Commenting on its purchase, Remko Rosman, CEO of Group of Butchers, said: "I am delighted that Abbelen GmbH, a leading German convenience company, will become part of our group.

“With its product portfolio, innovative strength and strong organisation, Abbelen is a perfect fit for Group of Butchers. The cooperation with Abbelen management will strongly contribute to the further success of our company.”

Dr Dirk Gloy, managing director and CEO of Abbelen, added that the group was “very pleased to continue to operate independently as part of Group of Butchers, with our proven management. This will allow us to continue and extend the cooperation with our German and European trading partners, as a reliable and innovative company”.

Headquartered in Tilburg, Group of Butchers manufactures meat sandwich fillers, appetisers and convenience products, which include sausages, cured beef, grilled meats and gourmet hams. Its products are sold to retailers across the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium.

The company's brands include meats wholesalers Schepers, Canter and De Roller, sausages producer Gymrek, and artisinal meats maker Voskuillen, among others.

Abbelen manufactures a range of meat and meat-free products. These include pork, beef and chicken meatballs and burgers, chicken schnitzels and nuggets, and hot dog sausages. It also processes a vegan and vegetarian range, which features cauliflower nuggets, falafel burgers and vegetable bites.