US meat major OSI Group has acquired UK peer Karnova Food Group from private-equity firm Endless.  

Financial terms of the transaction, done through its unit OSI UK, were not disclosed.  

Karnova was formed through the acquisition and merger of Yorkshire Premier Meat (YPM) and Smithfield Murray by Endless in 2022 and 2023, respectively. 

Smithfield Murray is a supplier of raw poultry to retail and foodservice manufacturers, while YPM supplies meat to producers of ready meals, canned goods, and savoury pies.  

Endless describes Karnova as a “leading value-add business-to-business” protein ingredients supplier, with revenues exceeding £135m ($168.1m). 

Karnova chair Di Walker said that since the acquisition by Endless, both YPM and Smithfield Murray “delivered significant growth with new and existing customers”. 

Walker added that Karnova is a “great strategic fit” for OSI and “they will be a fantastic long-term owner for the business and its employees”. 

OSI UK MD Katharine Haenelt said: “We have been hugely impressed with how the business has developed under Endless’ ownership and see significant opportunities for further growth across the combined businesses.” 

OSI, headquartered in Aurora, Illinois, is a privately-owned meat processor with 67 manufacturing facilities and more than 20,000 employees operating in 16 countries, supplying customers in 77 countries.  

In 2017, OSI expanded its UK operations by acquiring foodservice supplier Flagship Europe from US-based Flagship Food Group.  

Endless investment director James Warburton said: “We did not envisage selling Karnova this early but OSI made clear their ambitions for the business and they will be a fantastic long-term owner for the business with a market leading reputation.” 

Endless, which has offices based in Leeds, London and Manchester, has investments in other food companies includings KTC Edibles, bread maker Hovis and cake company Bright Blue Foods.