Country Lane Foods doubles capacity

Country Lane Foods, a family-run staple of the UK egg industry, has completed a transformative investment in a state-of-the-art egg grading machine, a move that secures its future in Cornwall while positioning it for national growth.

The project, which was funded in part by a £200,000 grant from Cornwall Council’s Growth Hub Grants Programme (part of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund), has effectively doubled the company’s processing capacity, allowed it to secure new customer contracts, and created new full-time jobs.

The investment came at a crucial time for the Liskeard-based business, which was operating at maximum capacity and facing difficult strategic decisions. The new machine enabled Country Lane Foods to remain in Cornwall and avoid outsourcing operations to other UK areas.

“At application stage, we were at a crossroads,” said Scott Lapthorne, business owner. “We were operating at maximum capacity and considering outsourcing all operations. Thanks to the grant, we’ve been able to invest in a key asset that allows us to stay in Cornwall, grow and provide real living wage employment to our team.”

The new grading machine gives the 40-year-old business the tools to meet surging demand driven by the retail sector’s shift toward cage-free eggs. Beyond capacity, the new technology introduces automation, real-time farm data analytics, improved waste management, and precision tracking to bolster sustainability goals and product quality.

The investment is being hailed as a major win for the region’s rural economy and the domestic food supply chain. By choosing to invest locally, Country Lane Foods has retained its existing workforce in Liskeard and created five new full-time jobs across operations, logistics, and quality control.

“It’s fantastic to see how this grant has helped Country Lane Foods take a big step forward,” commented Kirsty Miles-Musgrave from the Growth Hub. “This project is a great example of how the Growth Hub, through the Good Growth Programme, is helping to deliver real, lasting impact across Cornwall—boosting local jobs, innovation, and resilience in our rural economy.”

The upgrade also strengthens the company’s relationships with regional farmers, ensuring fair pricing and long-term viability, and directly supports UK food security by reducing reliance on imported eggs.

“This project has given us the stability to grow, the tools to innovate, and the confidence to compete nationally,” added Lapthorne. “We’re proud to be building a future that supports our team, our farmers, and our community.”