Hilton Food Group plc

What Hilton Food Group plc does

Hilton Food Group plc is a specialist international protein processing business headquartered in Huntingdon, United Kingdom, and listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE: HFG) as a constituent of the FTSE 100. Founded in 1994, the company develops, manufactures and supplies multi-category protein products, with operations spanning meat, seafood, vegan and vegetarian alternatives, and easier meal solutions, alongside a proprietary supply chain technology platform called Foods Connected. The group operates dedicated manufacturing facilities across 19 markets including the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Ireland, Portugal, Central Europe, Greece, Australia, New Zealand and Canada, with a new $192 million Brantford, Ontario facility expected to contribute from 2027 under a 10-year Walmart partnership. Approximately 90% of revenue derives from core red meat and fresh prepared foods.

The business operates as a B2B contract manufacturer to major supermarket and retail chains, forming long-term partnership agreements that frequently involve dedicated capacity and co-investment. Hilton reports revenue primarily through the sale of manufactured protein products under these partnership contracts, complemented by supply chain services monetized through the Foods Connected platform. Revenue grew 11.9% on a constant-currency basis in 2025, while adjusted profit before tax declined approximately 3% to £73.2 million, adjusted EPS fell 7.4% to £0.56 and 2026 guidance points to £60-65 million adjusted PBT. The company declared a full-year dividend of £0.35 per share for 2025.

Recent strategic activity includes the divestiture of Fairfax Meadow Europe Limited in September 2025, the establishment of a NADEC joint venture for red meat processing in March 2025, a £22 million private equity investment into Foods Connected in July 2025, and a March 2026 strategic review refocusing the group on its core red meat business while limiting further investment in underperforming seafood operations. Leadership comprises CEO Mark Allen, supported by a leadership team including Regional COOs Mel Chambers and Samy Zekhout and Investor Relations Director Martyn Espley, with a new chairman transition announced in late 2024.

Name

Hilton Food Group plc

Legal name

Hilton Food Group plc

Website

https://hiltonfoodgroupplc.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Hilton Food Group plc is a UK-listed, FTSE 100 specialist protein processor that manufactures and supplies meat, seafood, vegan/vegetarian and easier meal products to major supermarket and retail chains across 19 markets under long-term partnership agreements.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Huntingdon

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices11 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Protein Product Sales: Hilton Food Group generates revenue primarily through manufacturing and supplying protein products including red meat, seafood, vegan and vegetarian alternatives, and easier meal solutions to retail partners. Revenue is generated through long-term B2B contracts with major supermarket chains across 19 markets.
2. Supply Chain Services: The company provides supply chain management and automation services through its Foods Connected platform, helping customers optimize their supply chain operations.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Hilton Food Group plc is a specialist international protein-processing business that develops, manufactures and packs meat, seafood, vegan/vegetarian and easier meal products for major supermarket and retailer partners. The company operates through long-term B2B partnerships and runs proprietary supply chain technology (Foods Connected) to deliver category expertise at scale.

Product overview

Hilton Food Group plc is a specialist international protein processing and supply company operating a multi-category business with focus on meat, seafood, vegan & vegetarian products, and easier meals. The company offers core protein products alongside supply chain services through its Foods Connected platform. Operations span 19 markets across Europe (UK, Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Ireland, Portugal, Central Europe, Greece) and Asia Pacific (Australia, New Zealand), with growth investments in Canada and Poland. The business operates on a partnership model with major retailers, providing innovative food products and supply chain solutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Foods Connected: Supply chain technology platform providing 360-degree perspective over supply chains with bespoke automation solutions
• The Sustainable Protein Plan

Products and services

• Meat
• Seafood
• Vegan & Vegetarian

Quantifiable outcome

• Revenue rose 11.9% on constant-currency basis in 2025

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• WalmartcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 June 2025Hilton Food Group announced a 10-year partnership with Walmart for a new protein processing facility in Brantford, Ontario, Canada. The facility represents a $192 million investment and is expected to contribute from 2027 onwards.
• NADECminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 March 2025Joint venture with NADEC for red meat processing operations.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Maple Leaf Foods: Canadian protein and prepared foods company serving major North American retailers across meat, plant-based and meal solutions — directly comparable on multi-category protein, retail customer base and prepared meals focus.
• Tyson Foods: Largest US meat processor with diversified protein portfolio across beef, pork, chicken and prepared foods, supplying major retailers — directly comparable business model, customer base and category mix to Hilton Food Group.
• Danish Crown: European meat processing cooperative with multi-category pork and beef operations supplying European retailers — directly comparable on category mix, geography and B2B retail supply to Hilton.
• JBS S.A. Global meat processor with multi-protein operations across beef, pork, poultry and prepared foods across multiple continents — comparable in scale, product breadth and B2B retailer supply model to Hilton.
• Marfrig Global Foods: Global beef and protein processor with multi-country operations and strong retailer supply relationships — comparable in protein category, international footprint and B2B retail partnerships.
• WH Group: World's largest pork processor (owner of Smithfield and Shuanghui), supplying major global retailers — closely comparable protein processing, retailer partnership model and international footprint.
• 2 Sisters Food Group: UK-headquartered private-label protein and chilled food manufacturer supplying major UK supermarkets — directly comparable on private-label B2B protein supply model and UK retailer customer base.
• Pilgrim's Pride: Major poultry and prepared foods processor supplying retailers and foodservice — comparable on protein processing scale, prepared meals category and B2B supply model to major customers.

Emerging players

• Premium Brands Holdings: Canadian specialty food manufacturer with portfolio of processed protein, sandwiches and convenience foods serving retail and foodservice — overlapping in prepared meats, easier meals and retail customer base but smaller scale and more specialty focus.

Broad incumbents

• Cargill: Global agricultural and food conglomerate with extensive protein processing, trading and supply-chain operations — adjacent incumbent with much broader scope, supplying retailers and food manufacturers across many categories including meat and seafood.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A5 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hilton Food Group plc