Oven-ready growth strategy at bakery business following pandemic disruption

White’s Bakery, in Barnsley, has outlined ambitious growth plans following an intensive programme of strategic planning.

The family-run bakery, which manufactures cookies, mainly for schools, retailers, hospitality and wholesalers, was hard hit by the Covid-19 lockdowns and closure of schools and businesses.

Enterprising Barnsley recommended the business apply to the Made Smarter programme, which had released £1.5m worth of funding for manufacturers in the Yorkshire region.

White’s Bakery took advantage of Leadership and Management coaching and Strategic/Digital Roadmapping through Made Smarter, which has helped it incorporate technologies in lean, digital and net zero into the business.

The company received technical support to formulate a strategic plan to grow the sales of its products throughout the UK and double turnover over the next three years.

The bakery’s plans also involve relocation to new, larger premises and incorporating digital technologies to improve productivity and reduce costs.

White’s production manager received Green Belt training through South Yorkshire Skills Bank to enable the business to move towards net zero with plans for new energy efficient ovens and electric vehicles.

In recent months, following the involvement of Made Smarter, the business has recovered to pre-Covid levels with increased profitability. Its sales are on track to surpass £3m this year.

David White, managing director, said: “The coaching programme has given us the tools to become a leaner, more productive business and the Skills Bank training we have had in the use of digital and greener technologies will help to make us a stronger business for the future.”

Mike Brook, from South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, said: “White’s Bakery has embraced change and is now in a great position to experience transformational growth where the focus is on added value, increased margins and profitability.

“They are transitioning from being a traditional family business into a more agile and profitable operation, with very exciting prospects.”

In addition to benefiting from Made Smarter, the company received a software grant to automate its Food Safety system.

And White’s Bakery has secured capital grants towards the purchase of new automated equipment.

Made Smarter is a national industrial digitalisation programme, which aims to drive innovation, rapid adoption, and stronger leadership in industrial technology.

The programme is managed in the Yorkshire region by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority.

Andrew Armstrong, programme manager for Made Smarter, said: “White’s Bakery is a great example of a business which has been able to take advantage of expertise in digital adoption, as well as leadership and management coaching to equip managerial staff with the skills they need for the future.

“Digitalisation is essential to help SMEs in the advanced manufacturing and engineering sector to become more efficient and productive to enable them to compete in the long term on a global basis.”