Endless-owned meat companies Smithfield Murray and YPM are joining forces as Karnova to plan further acquisitions

The meat supplier set up by private equity fund Endless LLP, made up of companies from Yorkshire and Manchester, has changed its name due to expansion plans.

Endless bought Yorkshire Premier Meat (YPM) in 2022 and Manchester-based Smithfield Murray a year later in a bid to create “the UK’s major business-to-business protein supply force”.

The companies have now been formally merged into the Karnova Food Group, which has been renamed to supply processed poultry and red meat to retail producers and food service producers

Endless says the Karnova name “was created from the Latin words for ‘meat’ and ‘new’ to demonstrate a fresh and innovative protein company.”

The group has revenues of over £120 million, employing around 150 people at YPM in South Kirkby, Yorkshire, and 100 at Smithfield Murray in Trafford Park. The two existing brands will be retained.

Paul Peachey, CEO of Karnova, said: “The combination of YPM and Smithfield Murray under one group name, Karnova, is another exciting and important step in the organization’s ambitious growth plans, which include continued organic growth – greater investment in our facilities, our people, our processes and new technologies – along with further acquisitions.”

Don’t miss out on the latest news and analysis with our regular North West newsletters – sign up for free here.