Family-run South Yorkshire bakery finds ‘recipe for growth’, creating new jobs

A family-run Barnsley bakery, which was left “fighting for its very existence”, has proved it has the appetite for growth and is setting its sights on doubling its turnover thanks to help received through the South Yorkshire Business Productivity Grant Scheme.

Headquartered at Worsbrough Bridge, White’s Bakery is a fourth-generation family business that produces a range of cakes, muffins and biscuits, which are enjoyed by school children across the UK. The company is planning to relocate to a larger 20,000 sq ft facility within the next three years, as well as creating a number of new jobs within the business.

The “ambitious” growth plans are a far cry from the “uncertain future” the business faced just three years ago, when the Covid-19 pandemic left the 90 year old business “fighting for its very survival”.

Recognising that the business faced the choice of evolving or closing its gates forever, managing director David White began exploring ways of overcoming the barriers that were holding the business back. Working with a local business consultant, David began searching for the “magic ingredient” that would change the fortunes of the company.

Together, they quickly identified a number of factors that were impacting on the business: a reliance on old and unreliable machinery, the use of cumbersome and time-consuming paper-based admin systems and an unclear growth plan.

To overcome the challenges, David decided to apply to the South Yorkshire Business Productivity Grant Scheme for help. The match-funded grant provided the financial help needed to help White’s Bakery invest in a “state-of-the-art” metal detecting machine, used to detect potential contaminants on the company’s production line.

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

Since implementing the changes, White’s Bakery has not only managed to improve the overall efficiency in the business, resulting in turnover increasing to £2.8m, but it has also set itself the aim of doubling its turnover by diversifying its customer base.

David White, managing director, White’s Bakery, commented: “There was a real sense, prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, that we felt we were doing a good job because everyone in the business was working hard, but the truth is that we were often just busy being busy. 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.”

By Matthew Neville – Senior Correspondent, Bdaily

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