Morrisons acquires free range egg business

The big four supermarket, head-quartered in Bradford, said the acquisition meant that Morrisons would make even more of its own fresh food and become more competitive for customers on important everyday products. It will also bring forward the date at which all Morrisons eggs will come from non-caged hens from the current commitment of 2025.

Nick Chippindale, managing director at Chippindale Foods, will stay with the business and the 54 staff employed at the site at Flaxby, North Yorkshire, will become Morrisons colleagues in a growing manufacturing business.

Morrisons is already the largest supermarket customer for British farmers and makes most of its own fresh food in 17 manufacturing sites and 491 stores, including bakery, seafood, meat, fruit & veg, flowers and chilled processed products.

The addition of the Chippindale Foods business will enable Morrisons to work closely with egg farmers to support a sustainable supply chain, the welfare of hens and the quality of their eggs.

Andrew Thornber, Morrisons manufacturing director, said: “The addition of Chippindale Foods to our fresh food manufacturing business will give us the opportunity to build on our deep relationships with British farmers and become even more competitive for our supermarket and wholesale customers.”