Hy-Line International
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Poultry genetics |
| Founded | 1936 |
| Headquarters | Iowa , United States |
Area served | Worldwide (including Brazil, Japan, United Kingdom, Italy, Australia, South Africa, India, Vietnam) |
Key people | Jonathan Cade (President), Thomas Dixon (International Sales and Marketing) |
| Products | Hy-Line W-36, Brown, Silver Brown genetic lines |
| Owner | EW Group |
| Website | www |
Hy-Line International, commonly referred to as Hy-Line, is a global genetics firm focused on commercial egg-laying poultry. It functions as a subsidiary under the German livestock breeding corporation EW Group. The enterprise operates subsidiaries in various nations including Brazil, Japan, and the United Kingdom, with a network of 60 distributors spanning over 50 countries worldwide.
Corporate
Hy-Line operates as a privately held entity owned by the German-based EW Group. Leadership includes Jonathan Cade as president and Thomas Dixon overseeing international sales and marketing efforts.
Operations
The company manages subsidiaries across multiple regions such as the United Kingdom, Italy, Australia, Brazil, and South Africa. Several of these branches were established through acquisitions of previous distributors—for instance, Hy-Line Italia (formerly Valversa) and Hy-Line South Africa (formerly Hy-Line Chicks). In other territories, Hy-Line secures exclusive distribution partnerships. Notably, since 2014, India's Amrit Group has served as the exclusive distributor via a dedicated poultry center aiming to capture a 30% share of the Indian egg-laying sector by 2017–2018. Similarly, Ba Haun Company has held exclusive sales rights in Vietnam since 2013.
Products
Among its primary offerings are the Hy-Line W-36, Brown, and Silver Brown genetic lines.
Criticism
Animal welfare organization Mercy for Animals criticized Hy-Line International following the release of a viral video purportedly depicting chick culling within one of the company’s hatcheries. This footage attracted widespread international media scrutiny.
In 2013, Hy-Line Australia faced litigation concerning hazardous conditions at its Huntly hatchery after a 2009 fire incident trapped an employee due to insufficient fire exits. The individual escaped by breaking through floorboards. The matter was resolved through an out-of-court settlement with terms undisclosed.
Sponsorships
Hy-Line Australia acts as sponsor for the Hy-Line Australia Oval, which serves as the home venue for the Heathcote District Football League. Additionally, the company supports the Hy-Line International Research Award presented by the Poultry Science Association.
See also
- American Veterinary Medical Association
- American Association of Avian Pathologists
- Poultry Science Association
- ISA Brown