Eggcellent results
Perdigao, the second largest broiler chicken producer in Brazil,
with cutting edge in ovo (in the egg) technology designed to
cut production costs and improve animal health. Under the terms of
the agreement, Perdigao will convert all broiler hatcheries as well
as one breeder hatchery from manual chick inoculation to Embrex's
automated Inovoject vaccination system over the next six months.
"Perdigao is a very innovative poultry producer and we look forward to working closely with them to automate the inoculation process in its hatcheries," said Brian Hrudka, Embrex's vice president for Latin America. "This contract was supported by results from comprehensive commercial trials run in their hatcheries proving the benefits that the Inovoject system could bring to their operations.
"With the Inovoject systems, the efficiency of Perdigao's hatcheries, especially the new state-of-the-art hatchery in Rio Verde, will rival the efficiency of any hatchery in the world." Brazil is the second largest industrialised broiler producing country in the world, producing approximately 3 billion broiler birds annually.
US-based Embrex specialises in the development of in ovo solutions for the global poultry industry. The company claims that its Inovoject system allows for early protection against disease and reduces chick stress, as the need for post-hatch chick handling is reduced. The uniform injection of eggs involves individually sanitised needles that are cleaned after every injection.
"Brazil represents one of the most successful poultry producing nations in the world and high quality production has been a major factor in Brazil's tremendous growth in broiler exports, especially to Europe," said Embrex president Randall Marcuson. "Perdigao is a leader in Brazil's long tradition of adopting modern, state-of-the-art technologies and its acceptance of the Inovoject system has been a careful and steady process that is important for both our companies."
Perdigao is one of the largest food companies in Latin America with estimated gross revenues of 4.3 billion Reals (€1.2bn) in 2003. Its core business is refrigerated and frozen products, with production focused on poultry and hog slaughter, the processing of poultry and hog derivatives and ready-to-eat pasta. The company exports to more than 80 countries.
It has been a busy end-of-year for the US-based in ovo technology company. Last month, the firm announced that it had filed suit in the US district court of Eastern North Carolina against French firm Breuil and US firm New Tech Solutions. Embrex claims that an in ovo injection device designed by these companies to compete with Embrex's patented in ovo injection system violates US patent law.
"Innovation that results in patentable technology is a critical element in Embrex's business success," said Marcuson. "At Embrex, building, maintaining and defending our intellectual property portfolio is a key part of our business strategy. We have and will continue to aggressively guard it against any infringement so that we may protect our investment in the development of new products that provide value to our customers and shareholders."
