Located in Barnsley, Yorkshire, White’s Bakery is a premier bakery known for their commitment to excellence. They specialise in individually wrapped home-baked goods created with love and quality recipes.
The Challenge:
In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, White’s Bakery, like many businesses in the foodservice industry, faced significant challenges. The closure of the foodservice sector had severely impacted their operations, leaving them in need of expert guidance to bounce back and regain their market position.
The Need for Consultancy:
White’s Bakery reached out to BrookConsult during the pandemic, having been introduced to Mike Brook, one of BrookConsult’s experienced consultants. The business owners recognised the need for strategic planning and direction to help them grow post-COVID. They needed a clear roadmap and the support to rebuild their operations and strengthen their financial position.
The Solution:
BrookConsult’s Business Support Manager (BSM) worked closely with White’s Bakery to develop a 4-year Compass/Roadmap diagnostic tool. This tool allowed the bakery to assess key areas including turnover, gross profit (GP), net profit, operations, technology, and staff training. It served as a blueprint for the business to regain focus and realign their priorities for growth.
Additionally, the BSM provided valuable advice on grant funding and assisted with the completion of necessary paperwork, ensuring the bakery was able to secure essential financial support.
Key Areas of Focus:
- Turnover and Profit Growth: White’s Bakery saw a steady year-on-year growth in turnover and profitability.
- Efficiency Improvements: Investments in key equipment and technology, including moving to a cloud-based ERP system, helped streamline operations. Their GP increased from 38% to 42%+, and waste reduction initiatives contributed to greater energy efficiency.
- Staff Development: A focus on staff training and development enhanced workforce engagement and empowered employees to take ownership of their roles.
- Financial Acumen: The owners became more in-tune with the financial aspects of the business, ensuring stronger financial control.
The Impact:
White’s Bakery experienced tangible improvements across several business areas:
- Increased turnover and profitability
- Stronger digital presence with a move to a cloud-based ERP system
- Enhanced efficiency with reduced waste and improved energy management
- More confident and trained senior leadership team (SLT)
- Greater employee engagement, with individualised training plans for all staff
One of the most significant achievements was the increase in profitability and the reassurance that job security was guaranteed for their 44 employees. With these changes, the bakery owners are now more confident about future growth.
What Worked Best:
The most valuable outcome of the consultancy was the restoration of the business to a healthy position. With the guidance provided, White’s Bakery set an ambitious target of growing sales by 30%, aiming for a minimum of £4.4m in revenue. This growth target will further ensure job security and create new opportunities for the business.
Digital Readiness & Future Plans:
BrookConsult also highlighted the need for Digital Readiness. White’s Bakery has since upgraded its systems, implementing a cloud-based ERP solution that links directly to their accounting software, Xero. They’ve also digitised their food service systems and upgraded their broadband to support these changes.
The bakery is now preparing for a Smart Industry Readiness Index (SIRI) assessment, marking the next step in their digital transformation journey.
Feedback:
White’s Bakery owners and staff praised BrookConsult for their practical, down-to-earth approach and constant support throughout the process. They appreciated the clarity in communication and the ongoing updates they received, ensuring they were always on track.
“The support provided by BrookConsult has been invaluable, and we would highly recommend them to other businesses in need of strategic guidance and support…”
