The company is investing several million Euros in this new facility, which is located in Jasnogorsk, Tula Oblast, south-west of Moscow and will supply customers in Russia, the fastest-growing poultry market in the world.

Construction has already begun and the hatchery will have a minimum capacity of 5.5 million parent stock per year. Completion is scheduled for mid-2010.

Tyark Ostendorff laying a brick with Dudka Vaycheslav the regional governor (front of picture)

A brick-laying ceremony to celebrate the commencement of construction was held in Jasnogorsk on 10 September and attended by senior officials from the region as well as Aviagen's Russian Team.

Brian Whittle, Aviagen president of European Operations, said: "Demand for Aviagen products is at an all-time high and with the majority of growth in the European poultry industry expected to be in countries such as Russia, Ukraine and Belarus, it makes sense for us to build a hatchery close to these markets.

"The Jasnogorsk hatchery is another step in our strategic plan to produce and supply Aviagen products close to our key customer bases. The construction of Jasnogorsk and the Hilbersdorf hatchery in Germany shows our commitment to our customers across Europe."

Tyark Osterndorff, Business Development Director, added: "The expansion of our Central and Eastern European business has only been possible through the support and loyalty of our valued customers.

"The Jasnogorsk hatchery will provide our customers with excellent, locally produced Aviagen stock which will add value to their business. The hatchery is being built to the highest standards of biosecurity and will contain the most modern technology available and will undoubtedly be an asset to Aviagen and our customers.”

Aviagen have also established Aviagen LLC as their official Russian business unit. Based in Jasnogorsk, Aviagen LLC is headed up by Valery Starodubtsev, General Director and George de Kock, Project Director, who lead the project management team, responsible for the construction of the new hatchery. The customer service team, consisting of Eduard Taktarov, Sales Manager and Pavel Shkarlat and Olga Myasnikova, Technical Service Managers, are supported by the Jasnogorsk team in regards to translation and administration. They will work in close cooperation with and under the guidance of the Central and Eastern European Technical Team, led by Jonny Harrison.