PEP a front-runner for Bartter-Steggles?

Private equity group Pacific Equity Partners has emerged as a potential buyer of the poultry processor, Bartter-Steggles.

Read all about it here

The Financial Review has been unable to obtain comment from PEP but says the purchase would enable PEP to create a fully integrated Australasian poultry operation suppying retailers, wholesalers and fast-food chains.

PEP controls New Zealand's largest poultry producer, Tegel Foods, and is also one of the biggest users of chicken meat in Australia as the franchisor of KFC.

Bartter-Steggles is a family-owned business with annual sales in excess of $800 million.

The AFR floats the idea that Inghams, the market leader in Australia, could also be interested in the company. More than a dozen potential buyers, including private equity and trade players, have shown interest in acquiring the poultry group.