Egg firm’s output boosted by 19M after investment

The business, which trades under the brand James Potter, will open a new production unit in Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire, with the investment, which will house 290,000 hens. The multi-million pound investment will also help the egg producer to fulfil a new supplier contract with supermarket Sainsbury.

Five jobs will be created at the new site, Yorkshire Farmhouse Eggs revealed.

The firm’s director James Potter said: “We pride ourselves on animal welfare and our approach is ‘hen-centric’.​

‘New contract’​

“Essentially, we are real farmers who have been caring for, and producing, our own eggs for over 30 years, and are delighted to be in a position to expand our business thanks to the new contract with Sainsbury. It’s an exciting time and we have made a significant investment in the future growth of Yorkshire Farmhouse Eggs.”​

There were also plans for a new rearing facility, capable of holding up to 256,000 birds. The site would allow Yorkshire Farmhouse Eggs to rear hens on site, allowing greater control of the birds’ full life cycle, the egg producer said.

The seven-figure investment came from RBS and its asset finance division, Lombard.

‘Period of expansion’​

RBS relationship director Mike Holloway said: “We are thrilled to be supporting the Potter family during this very exciting period of expansion, and to welcome them as a significant new customer to the bank.​

“James Potter eggs is a well-known brand in Yorkshire, and the new farm signals the commitment of the Potter family to invest in the future of the business – something which has characterised their success over the last 36 years. We have developed a fantastic working relationship with the directors and we very much look forward to being a key part of their exciting future.”​

The James Potter brand began in 1970. The company now employs 65 workers, and generates £23M a year in sales.