In 1959 a contract was signed with Heisdorf & Nelosn Farms, USA, a leading layer breeding company. LOHMANN acquired the exclusive distribution right of the ”Nick Chick” in most of Europe, North Africa, the Near East and the Middle East. An important part of the contract was co-operation in the basic breeding program, i. e. building up a franchise organization, i. e. parent stock operations and hatcheries. Due to the outstanding service provided for the franchise operations and the excellent quality of the HNL Nick Chick produced by them, within a few years LOHMANN became the leader in the layer market in the Federal Republic of Germany and in numerous other countries.