Brett Brothers, the leading family owned agri-merchants based in Kilkenny, has announced a significant expansion, acquiring the agri-division of E. Flahavan & Sons. The deal will make Bretts the largest privately owned animal feed compounders in the south-east, with the other big operator in the region being the publicly quoted Glanbia.

Bretts is taking over the agri products sales and distribution network of Flahavans, which includes grain, animal feed, fertiliser, agri-chemicals and other farm inputs. It already employs 100 people, operating grain and animal feed plants in Callan and Windgap, Co. Kilkenny, and has branches in Tipperary and Wexford. It also operate a pig farm in Kilkenny and a bacon processing plant, Oakpark Foods, in Cahir, Co Tipperary.

Bretts current turnover is understood to be in the region of £25 million to £30 million. The price of the acquisition is not known, though it will probably add some £4 million to Bretts turnover. The deal will enhance the effectiveness at the Callan Mill by increasing volumes, according to managing director Mr Jimmy Brett, who said that scale was now a key factor in the industry.