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A family-run company started in Halifax in the 1970's

At the heart of the British meat industry.

About us

Leo Group is one of the UK’s leading specialists in animal by-products and renewable energy. We play a critical role in the food and agricultural industries collecting and processing material – which is converted into meals and oils for use in pet food, cosmetics, oleochemicals and renewable fuel.

A family-run company started in Halifax in the 1970’s, we now employ a workforce of more than 1000 across our operational sites in the UK, Europe and South Africa and export our products worldwide.

Over the last four decades we have been at the forefront of modernising the rendering industry. Every year we collect and process in excess of 1.25 million tonnes of waste material. From this processing operation we produce 130,000 tonnes of protein meal and 70 million litres of purified fats per year. Biopower processes 60,000 tonnes of material annually and creates 55MW of electricity to power 120,000 households.

We are also at the heart of renewable energy with several investments in solar, wind and biomass. We are continually upgrading and investing in our sites to make them as environmentally friendly as possible. The overall aim is for all our processing sites to be run using 100% renewable energy.

The Group is both self-financing and self-sustaining. The key to our success has been sound business acumen, together with a number of substantial business acquisitions. We have a strategy of re-investment in new, efficient and environmentally friendly technologies and equipment, as well as the ability to identify and grasp emerging opportunities ahead of our competitors.

In addition, Leo Group aims to play a key role in the communities in which we operate through jobs and investment and we are a major employer in the areas where our plants are based. We also support charities and good causes in the local community donating more than £1m in the past 10 years and providing grants of up to £2,500 through the Leo Group Community Fund.

Above all providing the best service and quality to our customers and suppliers remains our focus. We recognise our success is hinged on these long-standing relationships, maintaining our reputation as a trusted partner and achieving through quality.

Mission

To use pioneering technology to turn animal waste into valuable, reusable resources; reducing the impact on the environment and communities in which we operate.

Vision

A sustainable, environmentally friendly solution to animal waste management; recycling every last drop.

Values

Passion – We are passionate about what we do. If passion was a person our CEO fits the bill.

Integrity

We are open and honest, there’s no airs and graces with us. If you want a site visit just ask.

Innovation

We are always looking for ways to evolve. Standing still is not an option.

Diversity

We are proud to have a diverse workforce. It takes all walks of life to make a business successful.

Support

We are committed to supporting charities and good causes through fundraising, donations and volunteering. We can, so we will.

Community

We strive to be good neighbours and invest in the communities in which we operate. We live here too.

Environment

We continuously invest in environmentally friendly technologies to reduce our carbon footprint. We want to save the planet too.

1971

Margaret and Leo Sawrij founded Swalesmoor Mink Farm.
They bought the 10-acre property in 1971 and began breeding mink and then maggots. They ultimately created the foundations for a variety of different trading roots and the farm is where Leo Group’s head office is still based today.

1988

The business came under new management from current CEO Danny Sawrij.

1993

The company was re-named Leo Sawrij Ltd, in memory of the founder. Following the abolishment of mink farming in the UK, the business focused on maggot trading to the fishing industry. Danny Sawrij sold 90% of his beef cattle stock, injecting the funds into the maggot business. Leo Sawrij Ltd became the biggest producer of maggots supplying Belgium, Germany, Italy, France and Holland.

1999

The company made its first acquisition of a rendering plant facility in Bradford from Miles Richards & Son. Leo Group overhauled the original plant and rebuilt a state-of-the-art facility. This was the start of Omega Proteins Limited. Leo Group also acquired two businesses focused on the collection of fallen stock, creating Robinson Mitchell Limited.

2000

The Group launched Envirowaste Services Ltd in Halifax. Its state-of-the-art recycling centre offers businesses a complete recycling solution for a variety of waste streams.

2002

The Group purchased Alba Proteins Ltd, with sites in Penrith, Dumfries and Aberdeen.

2004

The Group started producing fresh pet food ingredients at its Halifax site.

2005

The Group purchased Premier Pet Food in Ireland.

2007

Modern and more efficient facilities at Halifax Pet Food were constructed.

2008

The Group branched further North, securing ownership of Kintore rendering plant in Aberdeenshire. In the same year, Food2Energy, a national collection service for all animal by-product (abp) former food stuffs was launched and a new Cat 3 processing line was installed at the site in Penrith.

2011

Leo Group Community Fund, which offers grants of up to £2,500 to local grassroots organisations, was launched. In the same year, Omega Proteins’ sites in Bradford and Penrith were awarded BS OHSAS 18001 International Safety Standard. Leo Group also welcomed its first recruit under its new graduate training programme.

2012

The Group’s Halifax site was awarded BS OHSAS 18001 International Safety Standard. The Group also acquired Tom Goddard & Sons Ltd, a fallen stock business that covers South Wales. Investment at the Penrith site improved its feather processing capabilities. In this year the Group’s charitable donations exceeded £130,000.

2013

Omega Proteins’ rendering plants in Bradford and Penrith were awarded ISO 14001, a global standard for the implementation of an effective environmental management system. The Halifax site was also awarded ISO 9001, recognising its quality management system. In the same year, Envirowaste’s new £2million waste transfer station in Halifax was completed. The Group’s Halifax headquarters was also awarded Calderdale Council’s Silver Environmental Business Pledge award.

2014

A new goods warehouse and employee welfare block at the Halifax headquarters were completed. In addition, the Group acquired the former stone quarry adjacent to head office and has built a state-of-the-art garage to service and maintain the fleet. A further £2.5 million was invested in developing the site in Penrith, including construction of an effluent treatment plant. The Group also invested in a wind turbine at its site in Bradford and acquired a rendering operation in the Midlands.

2015

Leo Group acquired a majority share of Biopower, a European renewable energy company based in Belgium. The Group also obtained 50% shares in BJK Industries, a South African producer and distributor of quality animal proteins, animal fats, oils and minerals and frozen meat by-products for application in pet food, livestock feed and aqua feed recipes.

2017

Leo Group acquired Mercedes-Benz Bell Truck & Van. The Group also purchased the Rose & Crown pub in Clapham and acquired the remaining 50% share in BJK Industries taking full control of the business.

2018

Leo Group opens Mercedes-Benz BLS Truck and Van dealership in Aberdeen as a sister company to Bell Truck and Van.

2019

Leo Group began recommissioning Scot Proteins’ Category 1 plant in Kintore. Work began on upgrades to the Penrith plant, including the installation of new biomass energy plant and multi-fuel thermal oxidiser.

2020

The Group rebuilt and recommissioned their Cat 1 rendering facility in Bradford following a fire. This is now the most technologically advanced site. Construction began on new segregated species lines at Omega Proteins Penrith as well as the commissioning of the biomass energy plant and multi-fuel thermal oxidiser.

2021

Leo Group acquired Newton Rigg Estate near Penrith, a former agricultural college, to convert it into a business centre supporting local facilities and businesses.

2022

A new gas oxidiser was constructed and commissioned at Omega Proteins Penrith.

2023

Additional processing lines were installed at Omega Proteins Penrith. Mercedes-Benz Bell Truck & Van operations inaugurated a new flagship dealership and headquarters at Team Valley in Gateshead. They also started the redevelopment of the Stockton van site to include an aftersales centre.

2024

Construction began on a fourth biofilter and a new meal loading building at Omega Proteins Penrith.