Perfecting poultry processing Hungerit

PERFECTING POULTRY PROCESSING

Hungerit is a European market leader in the processing of poultry and related food products. Its premier brands are distributed throughout Europe. Philip Yorke reports on a company that leads the field in terms of innovation and hygienic production techniques and continues to make major investments in technology and its state-of-the-art production facilities.

Hungerit Poultry Processing and Food Industries was founded in 1997 as the result of a merger between three local companies that had worked together for many years. However the roots of the original poultry processing company go back further to 1922 when it was founded in Szentes, Hungary and where it is still headquartered today. The company’s main operations are focused on three clear market sectors: Primarily Processed and Smoked Products, Processed Products and Highly Processed Finished Products.

The company also manufactures and distributes the Valdor product line, which continues to see strong growth, especially with its primary processed and baked finished products. Another of the company’s famous brands is the Delco range of hams, which are produced to the highest quality standards and are available in three distinct varieties.

Today more than 1800 people are actively involved in achieving the company’s goals supported by some of the world’s most

advanced processing plants. Hungerit operates an integrated management system that includes ISO9001 quality certification, ISO14001 Environmental Management Systems certification and HACCP, BRC and IFS Food Safety Systems. Currently the company processes over 80,000 tonnes of poultry, with export sales representing over half of its turnover, and involves more than 200 business partners, distributing its products to 35 countries worldwide.

Diverse investment programme

Since 2010 the Hungerit Poultry and Food Processing Company has embarked upon an ambitious investment programme. By 2011 it had completed the first phase of the complete transformation of its duckling production lines with the latest, fully automated processing equipment being installed. Later that year a new freezer unit was built for its chicken processing lines. In 2012 the company introduced new grease and evacuation equipment as well as putting greater emphasis on new, more efficient packaging technology.

Another major investment followed in 2014 with an investment of more than 1.5 billion HUF (Hungarian Florints) – a large proportion of which was dedicated to improved animal welfare transportation and to be compliant with the latest animal welfare regulations, with regard to loading and processing of poultry. However, the most significant investment to date took place in 2106 when the government granted 1.8 billion Florints to install high-tech production facilities that will create over 120 new jobs and enable the company to process more than 5 million more fowls per year. This huge investment is to be spread across the next two years and will result in Hungerit being able to produce around 10,000 tonnes of breaded products per annum, thus adding to its overall volumes and product portfolio.

Innovation driving sales

Innovation and new product development are two of Hungerit’s main strengths, along with its commitment to employing the most highly qualified food engineers and microbiologists. This strategy enables

the company to develop the most nutritious and tasty products in order to meet the changing tastes and needs of its consumers.

The founder of the company and largest shareholder, Mr Jozsef Magyar, said, “We do not wish to sell a whole chicken or a whole duck; we provide cut poultry or poultry products that have undergone additional processing, and our overriding aim is to offer convenience and greater value.”

Hungerit’s most important brand, ‘Valdor’, represents an extensive product range that continues to be expanded to include new products prepared with breadcrumbs. “One of our most innovative and tasty new products is our ‘Zizu Chicken Bites’ that have become extremely popular among children,” added Magyar. The new packaging will also stand out as the products will be sold in microwavable paper packaging similar to that of popcorn packaging.

Hungerit’s other well-known brand is ‘Delco’, which includes highquality meat products including frankfurters, hams and other special Deli products. Award-winning packaging has added to the appeal and success of its premier product ranges. Recently Hungerit became the first in Hungary to receive the WorldStar Packaging award. The company won this award for its Darfresh vacuum packaging that is used for its fresh poultry products whose appeal is enhanced by its stateof-the-art technology that ensures prolonged shelf life for the product. As a result a poultry product’s shelf life is now extended from 8–10 days to 16–18 days. Hungerit‘s innovative technologies have helped it to acquire more than a 20 per cent share of its domestic market, with its products being available in all supermarket chain stores and independent outlets throughout Europe.

Hungerit has also established its own specialised branded shops across the country and plans to increase the number of these outlets from 7 to 20 units within the next two years. The company continues to increase its market share and to extend its global exports through the increased distribution of all its top brands. n For further details of Hungerit’s high-quality and innovative poultry and food products visit: www.hungerit.com