Food processors Kepak and Dunbia are to swap factories in an effort to strengthen their positions in the Irish and UK markets respectively.
Kepak will acquire one of Dunbia's Irish abattoirs at Kilbeggan, Co Westmeath, while Dunbia will take over Kepak's abattoir and retail packing facility at Preston in the UK.
A statement said the Kilbeggan move would strengthen Kepak's position as a leading processor of Irish beef, while Dunbia would reinforce its position as a supplier of pre-packed meat to UK supermarket chains.
Dunbia was previously known as the Dungannon Meats Group. It employs 2,000 people. Kepak employs more than 2,200 people.
