DOUGH HANDLING
SUPPLY CHAIN COLLABORATION
into clarity B
turns complexity
aker & Baker, a bakery products manufacturer, serves more than 30 markets across Europe and further afield, with 12 manufacturing sites situated in six European countries. The company specialises in
creating own label and branded bakery products, in addition to its licensing partnerships and is responsible for a range of bakery brands throughout its European markets, spanning both sweet and savoury bakery categories, creating products such as doughnuts, muffins, brownies, cookies, cakes and specialty bread. Managing supplier relationships in the food industry is never an easy task and Baker & Baker has been challenged by the need to manage a vast and complex network of almost 1,000 suppliers, ensuring every document – from certifications to HACCP plans – is up-to-date and accessible. Despite having well-structured teams, the organisation has traditionally relied heavily on manual processes which could
Baker & Baker has adopted a digital supplier management solution that has led to gains in efficiency, data accuracy, and risk management while reducing administrative workloads related to managing nearly 1,000 suppliers.
lead to inconsistencies. It relied on a web of documentation and compliance requirements spread across its diverse supplier base. “We have always been reliant on things such
as SharePoint where it is very labour-intensive regarding data management. It very much comes down to user method for how things are saved,” explained Lewis Rogers-Duffield, Senior Supplier Quality Manager for Europe at Baker & Baker. The manual labour involved in data management made it difficult to access reliable, consistent information quickly. Lewis further elaborated: “Our processes were a snapshot in time. We would approve documentation, but keeping everything updated and easily accessible was definitely a challenge.”
Finding a solution Recognising the need for a more efficient solution for supplier management, Baker & Baker embarked on a thorough evaluation process of potential solutions. It began by identifying its specific needs – such as
32 Kennedy’s Bakery Production December/January 2024/25
automating document management, gaining real-time data access, and enhancing risk management. Comprehensive market research helped it to shortlist potential solutions, which were then evaluated through demonstrations and pilot tests at selected sites. Feedback from these tests guided the final decision. Ultimately, Baker & Baker specified the
use of TraceGains software-based solutions due to its proven track record in the bakery industry. The platforms user-friendly interface, adaptability, and scalability made it a good fit for the company. A further benefit was the fact that at least 50% of Baker & Baker’s suppliers were already on TraceGains Network, which facilitated a smoother transition and provided support for supplier onboarding, helping to ensure effective integration. TraceGains offers a suite of software solutions designed to manage business and product-related challenges such as regulatory compliance, nutritional analysis, labelling and new product development. It offers a purpose-
bakeryproduction.co.uk
Baker & Baker
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