Dawn Meats' Niall Browne steps in as Alliance Group Acting CEO

Dawn Meats’ Chief Executive Niall Browne has stepped in as acting CEO of the New Zealand sheep-meat processing cooperative Alliance Group. Willie Wiese stepped down from the role on January 6.

Dawn Meats, a Waterford-based red meat processor, completed the majority acquisition of the Alliance Group in December, assuming a 65% stake in the business.

Willie Wiese spent 8 years at Alliance Group, with almost three years as chief executive. Mr Wiese left the business to attend to “pressing family matters” and to “focus on new opportunities.” 

“I have decided it is the right time for new leadership to lead the next phase of growth,” Mr Wiese said.

“I’m proud of the hard work and support of the Alliance team and our farmer shareholders, that has brought the company to this point, with the business now well positioned for the future.

“I am delighted to have Dawn as a partner in the Alliance joint venture and have full confidence that this will be a successful partnership for Dawn and farmer-shareholders.”

Niall Browne hailed his predecessor.

“Willie has worked extremely hard over the last two and a half years to help find a suitable partner for Alliance and played an integral role in the successful capital raise,” Mr Browne said.

“With the first quarter results under our belt, we are tracking ahead of budget, with supply from both current and returning shareholders and new suppliers.” 

Dawn Meats paid roughly €132 million in acquiring their stake in Alliance Group.

€92 million of that investment will go towards reducing Alliance’s short-term working capital facility, with a further €20 million dedicated to payments for farmers-shareholders.

Dawn Meats was originally founded in Kilmacthomas in 1980 by three Irish farming families.