At the National Q Mark Awards 2010 were (from left) Lynn Farrelly, quality manager; Martin Roper, EIQA judging panel; Justin Carton, Carton Brothers; and Joyce Johnston and Hayley Keenan, assistant quality managers.

Carton Brothers are top of the Q in quality terms

Published: Wed 13 Oct 2010, 5:00 PM

The Shercock based Carton Brothers chicken processing plant has won this year’s Q Mark Award for Hygiene and Food Safety, in the category of Dairy/Poultry, and MD Justin Carton accepted it at a ceremony in the Burlington Hotel Dublin, on September 24. The business has been a member of The Q Mark programme for 20 years, has been a finalist on many occasions and was overall Hygiene and Food Safety winner in 2008. Mr. Carton said: ““We are thrilled here in Carton Brothers to win this prestigious award again this year. Quality is everything in chicken and it’s great that the Irish Quality Association has judged us worthy to receive this award in the face of stiff competition from other well known organisations in our category.” Carton Brothers is one of Ireland’s oldest family companies (since 1775) and its largest chicken processor. Its production plant is one of the most modern and sophisticated in Europe after a €17m expansion and refit. Vincent and Justin Carton are the eighth generation to manage the business, which directly employs 600 and has 150 contracted farmers. It had a turnover of €168M in 2009, of which €155m (some 92%) was spent in the 26 counties on Irish goods and services. The Annual Q Mark Awards ceremony celebrates the drive, commitment and achievements of all nominated companies and is the highlight of the calendar year for companies who strive for quality and excellence.