Global egg industry awards return

This year’s awards have highlighted “some truly worthy recipients”, according to outgoing IEC chairman, Suresh Chitturi. “We work in an incredible industry, with hugely passionate and committed individuals and organisations who deserve to be honoured for their enthusiasm and determination to ensuring it continues to thrive.”

Denis Wellstead Award for International Egg Person of the Year

This year, 2 winners were awarded with the Denis Wellstead Award for International Egg Person of the Year.

Ben Dellaert, the Netherlands

“Ben has been a powerful force within the Dutch poultry and egg industry, championing sustainability, food safety and animal welfare,” said Chitturi. “But it is not just at a country level that Ben has had a huge impact. His incredible determination to champion the egg industry has seen him involved in the leadership of the IEC for over 20 years. We will be forever grateful for his leadership in implementing biosecurity at an international level and for his continued support in representing the IEC on animal health matters, particularly avian influenza.”

Jim Sumner, United States

“Jim has had an incredible career in the poultry industry, dedicating himself to developing the USAPEEC organisation. Under his leadership over 30 years, the organisation has grown to 16 offices in 4 continents,” said Greg Hinton, incoming IEC chairman. “He was involved in the leadership of the International Egg Commission, as Chair of IEC Trade Committee and as an Executive Board member from 2004-2011, further supporting the growth of our industry.”

Clive Frampton Egg Products Company of the Year Award

Global Food Group B.V.

“This family-owned business has made significant investment to transform from a whole egg producer to a producer of high-quality liquid and dried egg products over the last 10 years,” said Henrik Pedersen, IEC’s egg processor international (EPI) chairman. “They have embraced sustainability, utilising the eggshells from their egg processing to produce high-quality animal feed. Innovation and change are paramount to their business, and they have exciting plans for growth expansion.”

Golden Egg Award for Marketing Eggsellence

Mahmood Group, Pakistan

“They have developed a unique new premium brand proposition, having found a gap in the market for a national egg brand based on the qualities which are most important to consumers,” said Chitturi. “Egg Box has witnessed 300% growth in volume within a few months of launching the brand, and I am sure that their investment in the development of the brand and its patented packaging will bring a significant return on investment in the future.”