Perwyn, a UK-based food investor, has recently expanded its French halal brand, Isla Délice, into the German market through the acquisition of Gürkan, a local halal deli meat business. This strategic move marks Perwyn’s first acquisition of the year, following a successful track record of completing 13 acquisitions across its portfolio of companies in 2024.
Eric Fauchon, the CEO of Isla Délice, expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition, stating that Gürkan holds a prominent market position in Germany with a premium offering and boasts 25 years of experience in the market. Fauchon emphasized the potential for innovation in catering to German halal consumers by combining Gürkan’s expertise in chilled and frozen products with Isla Délice’s portfolio.
Gürkan specializes in producing Pastirma, a cured, air-dried halal beef dish, and predominantly offers branded products to halal consumers in Germany through both traditional retail and modern trade channels. John Gallagher, Investment Director at Perwyn and board member of Isla Délice, highlighted that the acquisition of Gürkan provides access to a new market, enhances product capabilities, and strengthens the premium brand of Isla Délice.
The acquisition has significantly expanded Isla Délice’s group sales to over €155 million ($163 million), reinforcing its presence as a key player in the European halal market. Perwyn underscored the growth potential in the German market, particularly in modern trade, positioning Germany as a key market for halal products in Europe.
Established in 1990, Isla Délice is a renowned halal brand in France, manufacturing a range of fresh and frozen halal meat products that are distributed across various European markets, including the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, and Italy. Perwyn acquired Isla Délice from the Hertzog family in 2018 and has since invested €20 million to enhance production capacity and support the company’s growth initiatives.
Perwyn, headquartered in London, specializes in private equity investments in food, ingredients, technology, services, and healthcare sectors. The acquisition of Gürkan aligns with Perwyn’s strategy of expanding its presence in key markets and driving growth across its portfolio companies.
The successful entry into the German market underscores Isla Délice’s commitment to international expansion, with a presence in six international markets in addition to its core French market. The acquisition of Gürkan solidifies Isla Délice’s position as the leading European halal champion, poised to capitalize on the growing demand for halal products in Europe.
Just Food has reached out to Gürkan for comment on the acquisition, further emphasizing the industry interest in this strategic move. Overall, the acquisition of Gürkan by Isla Délice represents a significant milestone in Perwyn’s growth strategy and reinforces Isla Délice’s position as a key player in the European halal market.
