Seven Seward County families are among the poultry growers who contributed to the success of Lincoln Premium Poultry’s recent Manufacturer of the Year honor.
LPP was named the Large Manufacturer of the Year by the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce at its Oct. 11 Manufacturing Summit.
The Fremont-based company owned by Costco has seven growers in Seward County who either raise broiler chickens that are processed into meat for Costco or produce eggs that are grown into broiler chickens.
“We have several multigenerational farms involved,” said Seward native Jessica Kolterman, director of administration for LPP.
They include the Hladky, Schulz, Borchers, Payne, Blecha, Fehlhafer and Kouma families.
The chamber award recognizes Nebraska manufacturers that implement innovative ways to conduct business using products, processes, technologies and other strategies.
LPP was recognized along with Aulick Industries, based in Scottsbluff, which was named the Small Manufacturer of the Year.
“This year’s honorees are helping equip and feed the world,” said Bryan Slone, Nebraska Chamber president. “Their hard work, innovation and commitment to building strong futures for Nebraska families are admirable and appreciated. Our goal is to make Nebraska the best place for companies like Aulick and Lincoln Premium Poultry to operate and expand for decades to come.”
LPP was established in 2016 for Costco to serve as the poultry management company in its new poultry complex in Fremont.
The processing facility, hatchery and feed mill represent a $500 million investment in the region, with an additional $400 million investment by local grower partners, according to a press release from the Chamber.
LPP employs about 1,200 people and partners with about 100 family farms.
Kolterman said Seward County is the third-largest producer for LPP after Butler and Platte counties.
“Initially, when our farmers in Seward County invested in building these operations, collectively it was over a $35 million investment,” Kolterman said. “That’s money that was added to the local tax base.”
She said their reach goes even further to touch local businesses, such as Beaver Hardware that sells components to the technicians in the poultry barns and local restaurants that serve LPP team members when they visit the area.
Kolterman was the second person hired, following the chief operating officer, and the first Nebraskan hired when the LPP vision started to become a reality in the state.
“I’m really proud that Seward County has been so impacted by this in a positive way,” Kolterman said, adding that the physical distance between Seward and Fremont seemed overwhelming in the beginning, but that growers have jumped on board and the one-hour distance isn’t a barrier.
She attributed the success of the company to its employees and partnerships with local farmers.
“We were very fortunate to have had a lot of support from local communities and local elected officials across the region. We wouldn’t be where we are today if it weren’t for them, and they continue to support us,” she said.
Kolterman said being able to accomplish what the company has during its three years in operation, enduring a global pandemic and working through labor and supply chain shortages, is a success all on its own.
“The fact that our team has been able to do what it has done in spite of all those challenges and still be recognized is humbling,” she said.
