Stonegate Farmers picks Version 1 for tech overhaul

Stonegate Farmers has chosen Version 1 to modernise the technology platform behind its operations, including an overhaul of the egg producer's Oracle JD Edwards environment.

The project comes as Stonegate marks its 100th year and looks to update systems used across the business.

One of Britain's best-known egg producers, Stonegate supplies free-range, organic and premium eggs to retailers, foodservice groups, hospitality operators and food manufacturers in the UK and Europe. The investment is intended to give its teams better access to operational data and help them make faster decisions.

Food producers are under pressure from retailers, consumers and regulators, while also facing demands to make supply chains more resilient. Against that backdrop, Stonegate is seeking better visibility across its operations and a move away from a reactive approach to technology support.

The programme will modernise a highly customised Oracle JD Edwards set-up and add analytics, reporting, integration and automation tools. The changes are intended to create a more connected organisation and give staff access to real-time information.

Version 1 will act as Stonegate's strategic technology partner. According to Stonegate, it was selected for its experience in enterprise systems, as well as its work in cloud, data, analytics and broader business change.

Will Newell, IT Director at Stonegate Farmers, outlined the company's view of the partnership.

"The strength of any transformation lies not only in the technology but in the partnership behind it," said Will Newell, IT Director at Stonegate Farmers. "Version 1 understands our business, our industry and our ambitions for the future. By working together to modernise our technology estate, we're building the resilience and agility needed to support the next stage of Stonegate's growth, while continuing to deliver the quality and service our customers expect."

Stonegate was founded as a farmer co-operative in 1926 and is based in Lacock, Wiltshire. It links family-run farms with egg packing, distribution and supply chain operations, making technology a central part of how products move from farms to customers.

Operational focus

Improved reporting and data access should help managers respond more quickly when conditions change. In food production, those shifts can include retailer requirements, supply disruption and changing consumer demand, all of which put pressure on planning and fulfilment.

For Stonegate, the technology programme is also designed to support customer service and day-to-day efficiency. Better integration between systems is expected to reduce manual processes and allow information to move more quickly across the business.

Founded in Ireland, Version 1 employs more than 4,200 people globally and reports revenue of more than €400 million. Its private sector business works with organisations on technology modernisation and data-led change programmes.

Martin McDonagh, Head of Private Sector at Version 1, said the food industry is placing greater weight on technology in core operations.

"Stonegate has demonstrated exactly the kind of visionary action that will define the future of the UK food sector," said Martin McDonagh, Head of Private Sector at Version 1. "The most successful producers no longer view technology as back-office infrastructure. They use it as a strategic asset to improve customer experience, strengthen resilience, unlock new efficiencies and create competitive advantage. Stonegate is taking that step today, and we're proud to be helping build its platform for tomorrow."