UK-based food investor Perwyn has expanded its French halal brand Isla Délice into the German market, with the acquisition of local peer Gürkan.

Isla Délice, which sells branded halal meat products in France, has snapped up Gürkan, a halal deli meat business based in Germany.

It marks Perywn’s first purchase of the year, following 13 acquisitions completed across its portfolio of companies in 2024.

Eric Fauchon, CEO of Isla Délice said: “Gürkan has a clear market position in Germany with a premium offering, and 25 years’ experience in that market. Together with Isla Délice’s chilled and frozen portfolio, we look forward to bringing innovation to the German halal consumers.”

Gürkan is a specialist manufacturer of Pastirma, a cured, air-dried halal beef dish. It mainly produces branded products for halal consumers in the German market. Its products are sold in both traditional retail and modern trade", according to a statement.

John Gallagher, investment director at Perwyn and board member of Isla Délice added that the brand brings “access to a new market, as well as new product capabilities and a premium brand.”

“Entering the German market underscores the group’s strong commitment towards its international expansion. With a presence in six international markets in addition to our core French market, Isla Délice has become the clear European halal champion.”

Just Food has contacted Gürkan for comment on the acquisition.

As a result of the purchase, Isla Délice’s group sales now exceeds €155m ($163m), according to Perwyn.

“Germany is one of the main halal markets in Europe with attractive growth prospects – in particular in modern trade,” it said.

Founded in 1990, Isla Délice is a halal brand in France. It manufactures fresh and frozen halal meat products which are available in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain and Italy.

According to its website, Perwyn acquired the business from its founders, the Hertzog family, in 2018.

Isla Délice has four production facilities and employs over 200 people. In 2020, it acquired a site in France, which Perwyn has invested €20m in to increase capacity and support the company’s growth.

Perwyn is a London-headquartered private equity group specialising in buyout and growth capital investments in food and ingredients as well as other areas like technology, services and healthcare.