Sustainability is a topic that is becoming more and more
important for us. As one of the largest breeding companies in the world, we bear a great
responsibility towards
our environment, our numerous employees worldwide and, above all, towards our animals.
The ways to achieve this are manifold for us.The entire company structure and especially the diversity of our breeds are in the foreground. We really live our motto:
“For every market the right egg, for every management the right hen”Worldwide presence gives us the edge. With production sites, subsidiaries and global shareholdings, LOHMANN is represented in all key regions of the planet.Our customer base extends to almost all countries and hundreds of employees work at our worldwide locations.
Delivering top quality chicks has always been our objective. But by our new decentralised structure, we are also doing this under an environmental awareness perspective. We ensure short transport ways and thus keep CO2 emissions low.This is a logistical masterpiece, and we pride ourselves in making breakthroughs that keep our customers always satisfied and minimise the effects on the environment.
With our production facilities spread around the world, we guarantee shorter transport routes. A plus for the environment, but also a very special advantage for our day-old chicks. We avoid long hours in the chick boxes, reduce the risk of unnecessary stress for the animals and a better liveability rate.
In this new company structure, there must be functioning communication between all
employees, regardless of where they are located. Everyone should have access to documents and information
that are important to them at all times. This requires a rethinking of the conventional processes that used
to be in place. We have implemented almost exclusively digital filing
systems, with networking across all employees worldwide.
We thus consume as little paper as possible within our internal structures. We have also asked our
service providers to send us invoices and documents digitally only. A plus in effectiveness for internal and
external processes
and a plus for the environment.
Without mentioning the beneficial effects of heterosis and the resulting robustness
in sustainable production of top quality animal protein, let’s take a quick look at our motto “For every market the right egg, for every management the right
hen”:
At the very beginning, we developed our principle in order to meet the different demands of the egg
producers. The initial product range of two hybrids, LOHMANN LSL and LOHMANN BROWN,
was extended to three breeds white shell colour and three breeds in brown eggs: CLASSIC for
“average egg size, LITE for smaller egg size and EXTRA for extra high egg
weight. The
hybrids LOHMANN TRADITION, LOHMANN SILVER and LOHMANN SANDY complete the range with
products specifically developed for the so-called alternative housing systems. We do understand and are
prepared for the fact
that such systems already are and will be, in many regions, the mainstream production systems.
The welfare of the animals is close to our hearts. After all, only healthy animals that are kept comfortably and fed properly can reach their full potential. Our experts in the global technical service team are always at the disposal of our customers, regardless of the urgency of their concerns. From veterinarians to flock management specialists to nutrition experts, they are always prepared to support our customers, to share their knowledge and thus to ensure the welfare of our animals.
Technical service is an important success factor at LOHMANN. For us, our responsibility does not end with loading the animals on the means of transport. That"s where it really begins. When the chicks arrive at their destination, there is a service employee of us on site, who takes care of the species-appropriate handling of the chicks up to their housing at the farm. In case of any problems afterwards, our team of experts is available to our customers at any time, if necessary, with revisits and analysis on site.
Production specialists and vets work hand in hand. As with all other livestock LOHMANN’s hens can only reach their full genetic potential to perform well if they are healthy. If health problems arise in a poultry population, a poultry specialised veterinarian is consulted immediately. In our global technical service team we have trained veterinarians who give their expert advice in case of problems, make customer visits to ensure that our animals continue to be well after delivery.
We see ourselves as mentors and students, the mutual exchange is an important part of our global community. Sharing experiences and knowledge not only strengthens the foundations of our relationships, but also paves the way for healthy animals and a responsible handling and management of our birds.
At LOHMANN we are proud of our schools and seminars, where people from all over the world regularly meet to exchange ideas. Over 2500 participants have gained this experience over the past 15 years. Those events play an important role in better understanding of our birds and to better understand the responsibility behind our roles. Problems can be discussed and resolved here in advance. Precaution and preparation are the key words.
As the exceptional situation of the last few years has taught us, our training events and seminars also work online. This has two advantages: no long journeys by car or plane and thus a contribution to environmental relief. Moreover, we can reach more customers and an even greater exchange of experience takes place.
Intensive Research and Development is one of the supporting pillars of a sustainable breeding program and for breeding achievements which always continue to be milestones in international poultry breeding. LOHMANN is constantly investing in research and development. Between 10 and 15 percent of its turnover is invested in this area and provides the basic for innovations and thus the basic for sustainability.
How do we do that? For example, just by optimising feed conversion and egg quality, we can minimise the land use for grain destined to livestock feed and reduce the waste represented by undergrade eggs which would make their way to the market.
To be able to collect individual records from hens in free range or floor housing, LOHMANNsupported the development of two innovative solutions: The Weihenstephan Funnel Nest Box and the Electronic Pop Hole. In this way, optimise flock behaviour into alternative systems and make them more attractive to our customers and the egg consumers, with clearly observable results from selection under such tools.
LOHMANN is always
committed in maintaining our role in the global food supply chain.
With populational growth and worsening socio-economic conditions, not to mention the extreme political or
pandemic situations, fears of unemployment, the devastation of wars and uncountable other crises, it remains
our duty to ensure that the global citizenry is not deprived of this essential protein source
- the egg.
IEF (International Egg Foundation)is continuously committed to sharing and using the collective knowledge and experience of the egg industry to empower less privileged populations to realise the full potential of eggs. In this context, IEF launched a new project in 2019 in partnership with LOHMANN BREEDERS: the so-called “Global Egg Schools”. The aim of these schools is to teach the basics of poultry farming to communities in need.
By starting the Global Egg Schools in 2019, IEF was able to extend the reach of its educational support to even more people – and who would be more suitable as a partner for such a project than LOHMANN BREEDERS? We have been supporting different charity projects for many years by donating to various foundations and aid organisations. But in addition to our existing social commitment, we also wanted to help in another form, and do something to support communities in need in a more sustainable, long-term way. So why not use our profound technical know-how in a different way than just for purely business purposes?