Leading poultry firm opens £20m hatchery facility

A £20m facility that hatches 2.5m chicks a week has opened on Newark Industrial Estate, creating 55 jobs.

Moy Park, which supplies 60 farms across Lincolnshire, has opened a hatchery that is one of the first of its kind in Europe.

It is the largest single-build hatchery in the UK.

The company said it used industry-leading technology to ensure the best possible production, animal welfare, hygiene and biosecurity standards.

It said automation techniques and energy-efficient equipment reduced electrical energy use by 25%.

Mr David Gibson, director of agriculture at Moy Park, said: “This significant investment has created a world-class hatchery and will ensure Moy Park is well-equipped to meet demand for locally-sourced, high-quality poultry products.

“With technologically-advanced equipment and a focus on the highest standards of biosecurity, our Newark hatchery embodies our commitment to agricultural and operational excellence.”

5.7m birds per week

Moy Park’s growth strategy has seen the company make significant investments across its integrated farming and processing facilities in the UK.

Overall, the firm processes 5.7m birds per week, making it one of the biggest poultry producers in the UK.

Chief executive Janet McCollum said: “Over the last number of years, we have strengthened our production capabilities and, together with our network of 800 dedicated farming partners across the UK, we have continued to develop our agriculture estate.

“This latest announcement builds on that success and ensures that Moy Park continues to meet the evolving needs of customers and consumers.”

Moy Park is one of the UK’s top 15 food companies, Northern Ireland’s largest private sector business and one of Europe’s leading poultry producers.