Unternehmensgruppe Theo Müller (UTM), a German company that produces a range of products including yogurts and dairy, has gained approval from Polish authorities to purchase Graal.
Wejherowo, Poland-headquartered Graal manufacturers a range of canned and chilled fish products, and sells its products under the Graal, Neptun, and Kuchnia Staropolska brands.
Graal Capital Group announced it intended to sell its canning operations to UTM’s subsidiary Lisner Holding in February 2023. Graal operates four manufacturing facilities in Poland with a total of more than 2,200 employees, and in 2022, the company recorded sales of EUR 350 million (USD 388 million).
Abris Capital Partners initiated the sale of Graal to Lisner. Abris acquired the company in February 2017, and since that time, according to a LinkedIn post from the company, Graal has posted consistent revenue and EBITDA growth.
“During our partnership with Graal and Bogusław Kowalski, we have helped create an unquestionable market leader with a diverse portfolio of branded and private label products,” Abris Partner Wojciech Jezierski said when first announcing the sale 18 months ago.
Competition authorities finally granted the approval on 2 September, clearing UTM’s acquisition in what UTM said will be a step in the development of its subsidiary Lisner.
“Graal Group is an excellent addition to our existing fish business. As a result, we will offer even more unique products, including canned fish and ready-to-eat meals,” the company said.
The sale did not include Graal’s holdings in Koral, a processer and distributor of value-added salmon products based in Poland. That aspect of the business was acquired by Bengaluru, India-headquartered seafood e-platform Captain Fresh in July 2024.
