Bakery finds recipe for growth in pandemic’s aftermath

A bakery which was left fighting for its existence now aims to double its turnover, thanks to help received through the South Yorkshire Business Productivity Grant Scheme.

Headquartered at Worsbrough Bridge, Barnsley, White’s Bakery is a fourth-generation family business which produces cakes, muffins and biscuits for school children.

It plans to relocate to a larger 20,000 sq ft facility within the next three years, as well as create more jobs.

Three years ago the pandemic left the 90-year old business on the brink. Recognising the company faced a choice of evolving or closing, managing director David White explored ways of overcoming the barriers holding the business back.

Working with a business consultant, he identified factors impacting the firm: a reliance on old and unreliable machinery, use of time-consuming paper-based admin systems and an unclear growth plan.

White applied to the South Yorkshire Business Productivity Grant Scheme for help.

The match-funded grant meant the bakery could invest in a modern metal detecting machine, used to detect potential contaminants on the company’s production line. The new equipment also replaced a paper-based monitoring system.

The bakery must track and trace every component ingredient used in every product baked, a process which typically involved recording ingredients by hand.

With additional funds secured under the Digital Innovation Grant Scheme, the company invested in scanning guns and barcode technology, allowing the information to be recorded at the click of a button.

Since implementing the changes, White’s Bakery has improved its efficiency, resulting in turnover increasing to £2.8m. The firm also aims to doubling turnover by diversifying its customer base.

White said: “We knew that for the business to survive and prosper, it was vital to make changes.

“The funds we received from the South Yorkshire Business Productivity Programme and the Digital Innovation Grant Scheme allowed us to invest in equipment that has proved to be transformational for our business.

“The solutions we implemented have helped us reduce the time taken to record the vital information needed to deliver the highest possible levels of food safety, but they have also allowed us to capture much more detail.”

John Mellors, key account manager, Enterprising Barnsley, said: “Backed by a clear business vision, White’s Bakery is setting its sights on growth, as well as expanding its operations into new, currently untapped markets.

“Both the South Yorkshire Productivity Programme and Digital Innovation Grant Scheme were created to help businesses overcome barriers to growth.

“Having successfully introduced new equipment, as well as digitising its paper-based systems, they have helped to reduce the amount of lost working hours.”

The Business Productivity Programme is funded by the European Regional Development Fund and provides businesses with 50% grant funding up to a maximum of £12,499, and the other 50% must be provided by the business.

The Digital Innovation Grant scheme was launched in July 2021 and helps SME businesses across South Yorkshire to access match-funded grants to help them embrace new ways of working and develop their use of digital technology.