Noble Foods’ farm manager Ted celebrates 50 years of change, challenge and care
Edward ‘Ted’ Hololob, a farm manager at the Noble Foods’ Greenbrook rearing farm in Yorkshire, is marking an impressive 50 years with the company, having joined aged 18 in 1974.
Ted began as a shed operative at Carr plant, keeping the shed clean and tidy. He then progressed to assistant manager on the same site, then onto Crosslands as a farm manager.
“To be honest, I don’t know where 50 years has gone! At the same time, it feels like both a blink of an eye and a lifetime. But I wouldn’t have wanted to do it any other way.
“It’s been a real pleasure to work with Noble Foods, here at Greenbrook. We’re lucky to be in a beautiful part of the country and I work with some of the friendliest and hard-working people you could ask for.
Along with his long-time colleague, assistant farm manager Gordon Lowe (who himself has been with Noble Foods for 33 years), the operations at Greenbrook farm work like clockwork.
Describing Ted’s energy and enthusiasm, Gordon says: “He’s the driving force of North Yorkshire, there’s no doubt at that. What a pleasure it is to come to work every day with someone this passionate and dedicated. Even during our busiest days, or in the wettest weather, Ted will pull us all together and make the best of every situation.”
Greenbrook is one of several rearing farms run by Noble Foods, part of the vertically integrated egg business, which spans a milling business, through to laying farms and depletion.
“Our focus is to raise and deliver the highest quality pullets for our producers and customers,” says Ted. “We work closely with vaccine companies and have a comprehensive vaccination programme, and our relationship with the breed companies is excellent because of the trust we’ve built over the years. We work alongside each of our producer customers too, particularly around their timings and logistics. We love inviting producers to farm to see how their new flocks are doing – that’s extremely rewarding. It’s a well-oiled machine and a process that we continuously work to improve wherever we can.”
Commenting on Ted’s milestone, Noble Foods’ Head of Company Farms Jean-Paul Michalski says: “50 years is a remarkable commitment and Ted has taken to it with grace and passion. We warmly congratulate him on his career and his dedication to the farm and to the millions of hens which have been under his care.”
“More amazing still is how Ted is part of a legacy here at Noble Foods, where colleagues join our business but very much become part of our extended family. In addition to Ted’s story, there are several long-serving colleagues across our farms who are very much part of an extensive knowledge base. It’s something we certainly don’t take for granted. Our network of long-serving colleagues sets us apart and helps to build incredible relationships with our producers and wider network,” Jean-Paul says.
In addition, Ted is rearing a number of speciality breeds, including Special Browns and Special Blues.
Talking about his future, it’s clear that Ted’s retirement plans are still in the distance.
“Five years ago, I said to myself, and to Gordon, that I would look to retire the following year. Then last year, I know I said the same thing – but here we are! While I still have the drive, I’m going to keep working. It’s the best thing for mind, body and soul, and I get so much satisfaction every time we hand over our flocks,” he says.