A major agri-food success story is unfolding in the north, as a Co Fermanagh-based egg business has emerged as one of the region’s strongest earners. In a notable breaking news ireland business development, Lough Erne Investments, the parent company of Ready Egg Products and Skea Eggs, has posted a sharp rise in both turnover and profit, underlining the strength of Northern Ireland’s food manufacturing sector.
The group reported pre-tax profit of £22.8 million for the year to September 30, 2025, while revenue climbed to £302.4 million. That represents a substantial increase on previous years and places the business among Northern Ireland’s most profitable companies. The latest performance reflects continued expansion after the group’s 2022 acquisition of Skea Eggs, along with rising output and a growing workforce.
Breaking News Ireland: Egg Group Delivers Major Revenue Growth
Lough Erne Investments is the umbrella company behind Lisnaskea-based Ready Egg Products and Donaghmore-based Skea Eggs. Ready Egg Products, founded in 1975 by Charles Crawford, has grown into the largest egg processor across the UK and Ireland, supplying household-name retailers and food businesses.
Its products are widely used by the food manufacturing trade in Britain, with customers including major brands such as McDonald’s and Marks & Spencer. Skea Eggs, acquired in spring 2022, also plays a significant role in the group’s scale, supplying roughly 9.5 million eggs each week to leading supermarket chains.
The newly filed accounts show:
- Revenue increased to £302.4 million
- Pre-tax profit reached £22.8 million
- Bottom-line profit came in at £16.76 million
- Tax paid totalled £6 million
- Employee numbers rose from 309 to 337
Those numbers also point to a business that has maintained momentum well beyond the initial integration of Skea Eggs, making it one of the most significant ireland business news stories linked to regional manufacturing growth.
How the Skea Eggs Acquisition Changed the Group
The takeover of Skea Eggs marked a turning point for the company. The deal significantly expanded its production footprint and effectively doubled the scale of the wider operation. It also lifted the workforce to more than 300 people, reinforcing the group’s position as a major employer in the local economy.
Compared with earlier trading periods, the group’s latest figures show how sharply the business has advanced:
- £174.7 million revenue in 2022
- £233 million in 2023
- £302.4 million in 2025
Even allowing for differences in reporting periods, the overall direction is clear: the business is on a sustained upward path.
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Automation Investment Signals Further Expansion
The company’s growth story may not be finished yet. In late 2025, Ready Egg Products announced a £2.9 million investment in automation and robotics, supported by £500,000 in grant funding from Invest NI.
The project is designed to improve efficiency, increase production capacity and modernise internal systems through digitalisation. Invest NI said the upgrade could lift productivity by as much as 50%, a significant gain for a business already operating at scale.
Charles Crawford said at the time that the move would transform parts of the business while also supporting sustainability goals through better energy efficiency and reduced waste. That means the investment is not only about volume, but also about building a more resilient and modern food production model.
Why This Matters for Northern Ireland’s Economy
This development stands out in ireland current affairs because it highlights how locally rooted manufacturers can compete at the highest level. With demand from major retailers and food-service customers, the business is helping showcase Northern Ireland’s strength in agrifood processing, exports and advanced manufacturing.
It also reflects broader themes seen across irish breaking news and regional industry reporting:
- Strong investment in automation
- Continued hiring despite higher labour costs
- Export-led revenue growth
- Focus on sustainability and efficiency
Staff costs rose to £12.5 million as headcount increased, showing the company is still investing in people while scaling operations.
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What Happens Next
With strong profits, rising turnover and a fresh push into robotics, Lough Erne Investments appears well placed for another year of growth. The combination of large-scale egg processing, supermarket supply contracts and capital investment gives the group a strong platform heading into 2026.
For readers following breaking news ireland, this is more than a company earnings report. It is a clear example of how a long-established rural business can evolve into one of Northern Ireland’s standout commercial performers. The key takeaway is simple: strategic acquisitions, modernisation and export demand are helping turn this Fermanagh-based group into a major force in regional industry.
