Following a trend of scaling back the geographic regions in which it operates, Finland-based meat and poultry producer HKScan is in talks regarding the possible divestiture of its business operations in Denmark.
“The company emphasizes that there is no certainty regarding the outcome of these discussions or as to the terms on which any potential transaction might proceed,” HKScan said in a statement.
“The negotiations are linked to HKScan’s continued assessment of its group structure and the strengthening of the balance sheet, in line with previously communicated objectives. The company reviews the positioning of its market areas as part of the group’s long-term strategy with a target to grow into a versatile food company.”
According to information on the HKScan website, the company operates plants in the Danish cities of Vinderup and Skovsgaard, while its head office is in Aarhus. The Aarhus office is where most of the company’s Danish colleagues involved in finance, sales, marketing, category management, innovation and exports work.
HKScan’s Danish poultry brand is Rose.
The company employs about 677 people in Denmark.
Sale of Swedish business progressing
In January 2024, it was announced that Lantmännen is acquiring all of HKScan’s operations in Sweden, including the brands Scan, Pärsons, and Bullens.
HKScan, in a press release dated March 7, announced that the European Commission approved the arrangement reached between HKScan and Lantmännen and the approval of the Swedish authorities for foreign direct investment (FDA) was received, and the arrangement was also approved at HKScan’s recent extraordinary general meeting. The transaction is expected to be finalized later this month.
These moves come just months after HKScan closed the sale of its Baltic businesses in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania to the Maag Grupp of Estonia.