I see that LacPatrick Dairies embarked on a series of handshaking and informing sessions with its suppliers this week. The co-op, led by its board members and chair Andrew McConkey, rolled out a series of shareholder meetings across its supply base in the Republic and Northern Ireland.

The Dealer understands the meetings were organised to let suppliers voice concerns or raise issues ahead of any formal bids for the Co Monaghan-based co-op in the coming weeks.

The Dealer also notes that most senior management did not attend the meetings with the board continuing to run the partnership/merger process.