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Lincolnshire egg producer LJ Fairburn & Son has added another prestigious feather to its cap – the Poultry Business of the Year award.

The Alford-based family firm was announced as winner of Poultry Business of the Year in the 2018 National Egg & Poultry Awards held in London. Organised by industry magazine Poultry Business and Lewis Business Media, the awards recognise excellence and innovation in the egg and poultry sectors.

Sarah Louise Fairburn, brand and sales director of LJ Fairburn, said: “To be recognised for such a prestigious award within our own industry means the world and makes the family incredibly proud. It’s recognition of the hard work all our employees put in to the business, 365 days a year. It’s also testament to how much our business has grown in recent years and to the positive ethos we’ve developed for ensuring our business is fit for future generations of Fairburns.”

Daniel Fairburn, CEO of LJ Fairburn, added: ““We feel incredibly humbled to have been named the best poultry business in Britain 2018. Inward investment and a passion to ensure our business is future-proof sets a solid foundation to build our business strategy. And we will never forget Grandad’s moto “Feed the chickens before you feed yourselves”!”

The third-generation family business supplies 17 million British Lion-approved eggs each week to seven leading retailers. Established in 1951 by Leslie James Fairburn with just 150 chickens bought for £150, the multi-million-pound business is now run by his grandson Daniel, alongside granddaughters Sarah and Caroline, and Daniel’s wife Sarah-Louise.

Just five years ago, Fairburn’s took the decision to switch from being a contract producer for a large brand to setting up on its own. Since then it has invested heavily in state-of-the-art equipment, land and livestock, and signed contracts with many of the UK’s major multiples, plus launched its own award-winning speciality products and has actively built its own network of farming producers.  It is now one of the largest independent egg producers and packers in the country, employing over 230 local Lincolnshire staff, purchasing 42,000 tonnes of feed from farmers in the county last year, as well as eggs from 21 local producers. Last year it won Family Farming Business of the Year in the British Farming Awards and last month was listed in the London Stock Exchange Group’s 1000 Companies to Inspire Britain - for the fifth year running.

Poultry Business publisher Simon Lewis said: “Congratulations to LJ Fairburn & Son who were deserved winners on the night. These awards have highlighted the breadth and depth of talent, drive and ambition in the egg and poultry sectors and is a pleasure to recognise the winners, but also all of those shortlisted which in itself is a great achievement.”

Awards judge Richard Griffiths, chief executive of the British Poultry Council, said: “The 2018 National Egg & Poultry Awards acknowledge the exceptional contribution made by our people in taking the British poultry sector from strength to strength.

“As a thriving food sector, British poultry meat has a sound track record of nurturing talent and creating fulfilling opportunities and possibilities to grow. We stand committed to investing in our talent, celebrating our people and their success stories, and building a pipeline of business leaders of tomorrow.”

Awards judge Mark Williams, chief executive of the British Egg Industry Council, said: “It’s no surprise we are seeing some fantastic innovation across the supply chain from hatcheries to the end consumer, which are being showcased as part of the National Egg & Poultry Awards. The British Egg Industry Council is proud to support the awards and is excited to see so many shining examples of excellence in the egg sector.”