A major agrifood success story is unfolding in the west of Northern Ireland, with a Co Fermanagh egg business emerging as one of the region’s standout performers. In breaking news ireland, Lough Erne Investments — the parent company of Ready Egg Products and Skea Eggs — has posted a sharp rise in both revenue and profit, underlining the strength of the food manufacturing sector.
The latest accounts show the group generated pre-tax profits of £22.8 million in the year to September 30, 2025, while revenue climbed to £302.4 million. That marks a year-on-year increase of more than £101 million and places the business among Northern Ireland’s most profitable companies.
Strong Financial Growth for Fermanagh-Based Food Group
Lough Erne Investments has built a sizeable position in the egg processing and supply market through its two main operations:
- Ready Egg Products in Lisnaskea, Co Fermanagh
- Skea Eggs in Donaghmore, Co Tyrone
Together, the businesses have helped drive sustained expansion over recent years. While the previous reporting period in 2024 covered only nine months, the broader trend remains clear. Group revenues have risen from £174.7 million in 2022 to £233 million in 2023, before reaching £302.4 million in the latest set of accounts.
That growth also translated into a final after-tax profit of £16.76 million for 2025, after a corporation tax bill of £6 million.
Why the Numbers Matter
For readers following ireland business news and wider ireland economy news, these figures are significant because they highlight how established regional manufacturers can scale rapidly through acquisitions, automation and strong supermarket demand.
Founded in 1975 by Charles Crawford, Ready Egg Products has grown into the largest egg processor across the UK and Ireland. Its products are widely used in food manufacturing, with major customers in Britain including household retail and foodservice names.
Impact of the Skea Eggs Acquisition
A key turning point came in 2022 when Lough Erne Investments acquired Skea Eggs. That move substantially expanded the group’s footprint and effectively doubled its workforce at the time.
Skea Eggs, originally founded in the 1970s by Matthew Hayes, supplies around 9.5 million eggs each week to leading supermarket chains including M&S and Sainsbury’s. The acquisition strengthened the group’s ability to serve both retail and manufacturing customers at scale.
The latest accounts also show employment continuing to rise. Staff numbers increased to 337 from 309, with total staff costs reaching £12.5 million. That makes the story relevant not just for ireland finance news, but also for ireland jobs news and ireland local news across Fermanagh and Tyrone.
Read more:
Automation Investment Signals Further Expansion
The group’s momentum may not be slowing. Last October, Ready Egg Products announced a £2.9 million investment in automation and robotics, supported by £500,000 in grant aid from Invest NI.
The goal is to improve productivity, expand capacity and modernise operations through digital systems. According to Invest NI, the investment could raise productivity by up to 50%.
This matters in the context of latest news ireland because it shows how traditional food processing businesses are increasingly turning to technology to stay competitive. It also connects with broader trends in ireland technology news and ireland ai news, where automation is becoming a key driver of growth in manufacturing.
What the Company Has Said
When the investment was announced, founder Charles Crawford said the move would transform the business across several operational areas. He also pointed to benefits around sustainability, especially through improved energy efficiency and reduced waste.
That suggests the company is not only focused on output, but also on long-term resilience in a sector facing rising cost pressures and evolving supply chain demands.
Explore more:
What This Means for Northern Ireland’s Agrifood Sector
The latest performance from Lough Erne Investments reinforces the importance of agrifood to the regional economy. It also shows that companies rooted in rural communities can become major commercial forces through strategic expansion and capital investment.
For anyone tracking breaking news ireland, this is a strong example of a homegrown business turning scale, efficiency and acquisition-led growth into standout profitability. With automation plans now underway, the Fermanagh group looks well placed to remain a major player in the years ahead.
FAQ
Who owns the Fermanagh egg group?
The group is owned through Lough Erne Investments, led by Ready Egg Products founder Charles Crawford.
How much profit did the company make?
The latest accounts show pre-tax profits of £22.8 million and after-tax profits of £16.76 million for the 2025 financial year.
What businesses are part of the group?
The main operations are Ready Egg Products in Lisnaskea and Skea Eggs in Donaghmore.
Why is the company growing so quickly?
Growth has been supported by the acquisition of Skea Eggs, rising customer demand and investment in automation and robotics.
