Who Won Big At The Hull & East Yorkshire Business Awards?

It’s always brilliant to see a local business do well, isn’t it? Well, one particular poultry business from the Yorkshire Wolds has just been given a massive pat on the back, not once, but twice. Soanes Poultry, a name many will know from their local butchers, has walked away with two top prizes at the recent Hull & East Yorkshire Business Awards. These awards are a pretty big deal around here, celebrating the very best in business, from great new ideas to pure excellence in their field. For a company to win in one category is fantastic, but to win in two shows they’re doing something properly special.

Nabbing not one, but two top awards

So, what did they actually win? The team from Soanes Poultry, based in Middleton on the Wolds, picked up the trophies for both 'Large Business of the Year' and the 'Environmental and Sustainability' award. The awards ceremony, which took place in the week before November 25th, highlights outstanding achievements across the region. Winning the Large Business of the Year award is a testament to their success and growth. They were up against some serious competition too, beating Integra Buildings Ltd and Spencer Group to get the top spot. It shows that this East Yorkshire business is a major player, recognised for its quality and innovation.

And then there’s the second award, which is all about looking after our planet. For the 'Environmental and Sustainability' prize, Soanes went head-to-head with Ashcourt Group and Premier Modular and came out on top. This win shines a light on how seriously the business takes its responsibilities. In today’s world, being a successful business isn’t just about making money; it’s also about doing it in a way that’s good for the environment. These two business awards together paint a picture of a company that is not only a leader in its industry but also a forward-thinking, responsible member of the Yorkshire business community.

A word from the man in charge

The Managing Director of Soanes Poultry, Ben Lee, was clearly pleased with the results. Winning these awards gave the entire team a huge boost. It’s one thing to work hard every day, but it’s another to have that hard work officially recognised by your peers.

Ben Lee explained just how much it meant, especially given the timing:

“At the end of a very challenging week, and as we head towards our busiest time of the year, winning the awards was a real tonic and a testament to the hard work of our team.”

You can just imagine it. For a poultry business, the run-up to Christmas is probably manic, with everyone thinking about their festive dinner. For the team to get this boost right before the rush is fantastic. It’s the kind of news that puts a spring in everyone’s step at the factory and on the farms. It’s a real nod to the outstanding achievements of every single person on the team, from those rearing the chicken to those preparing the final products.

It's all about looking after the planet

Let's talk a bit more about that green award, because it’s really interesting. What does a poultry business do to win an award for sustainability? Well, a lot, it turns out. Soanes has been making some big changes to reduce its impact on the environment.

Ben Lee gave a clue as to why they won:

“We have invested significantly in a solar array to power the factory and in a new refrigeration system to reduce our carbon footprint, so we were delighted to add the Hull & East Yorkshire Business Awards Environmental and Sustainability Award to the Deliciouslyorkshire Sustainable Product award we won for our chicken last month.”

So what does that actually mean? A solar array is basically a load of solar panels that soak up the sun’s energy and turn it into electricity to run the factory. This means they’re using clean, renewable energy instead of relying completely on traditional power sources. The new refrigeration system is also a clever move. Fridges and freezers can use a lot of energy, so getting a super-efficient one helps lower their energy bills and, more importantly, their carbon footprint. Think of a carbon footprint as the mark a business leaves on the planet; the smaller the footprint, the better. These investments show a real commitment to long-term sustainability. And it seems to be a running theme for them, as they also recently won the Deliciouslyorkshire Sustainable Product award for their chicken.

So, who are Soanes Poultry?

For anyone who doesn't know, Soanes is a proper Yorkshire institution. The business has been rearing and preparing chicken since way back in 1947. That's over 75 years of experience, passed down through generations. Based in Middleton on the Wolds, they are a key part of the local community and a significant employer in East Yorkshire.

They supply their high-quality, Yorkshire-reared chicken to lots of different customers. You’ll find their products in local butchers and independent shops all across Yorkshire, where people know they’re getting something special. But their reach goes much further than that. They also sell to wholesalers and catering butchers up and down the country, meaning that chicken from the Yorkshire Wolds could be ending up on plates in top restaurants far from home. Their long history is built on a reputation for excellence, and these latest awards prove that the modern Soanes team is continuing that legacy with plenty of innovation and a strong sense of responsibility.