Maclean's Highland Bakery developed a plan to achieve BRC accreditation and improved their shop floor layout.

The challenge

Maclean’s Highland Bakery have recently doubled turnover from £1 million to £2 million and hope to double this again within the next three years. Part of this drive will include taking on around ten new employees to add to the current team of 96.

SMAS worked to support the business in developing a plan for achieving British Retail Consortium accreditation. They also helped modify the layout of the shop floor and stores to improve efficiency and ensure that the company continues to meet demand from all over the world.

The company

Maclean’s Highland Bakery, based in Forres, remains a family-run business four generations after it was first founded. Three years ago, the bakery changed their name – adding the word ‘Highland’ so the origin of their products could be more easily identified for the global customer base.

The company was put in touch with SMAS at a trade show. A recommendation by a fellow business helped persuade Managing Director Lewis Maclean to bring SMAS in. “They said SMAS were the best thing since sliced bread,” he said, adding, “which is high praise from a baker.”

How SMAS helped

Maclean’s Highland Bakery were given a free Manufacturing Review, and assistance from their local enterprise company to implement the recommendations made by SMAS. The effects of the work by SMAS include:

• achieving BRC accreditation
• improving health and safety procedures at the factory
• increasing profits
• helping create ten new jobs
• improving morale
• enhancing the efficiency of production

Lewis Maclean plans to continue working with SMAS in the future. He said: “I can see us needing SMAS in a year or so because, although the premises aren’t full to bursting, we’re expecting to get a lot more large orders in a short period of time.”

This includes increased sales in the international market, such as Europe and North America, which have become more important for Maclean’s Highland Bakery in recent years.

Outcomes

The work by SMAS has helped Maclean’s Highland Bakery to expand and prepare for the future. This includes creating new jobs in the area, despite the economic downturn.

SMAS were able to improve working practices and reform roles and responsibilities. “I love constructive criticism. I thrive on it,” continued Lewis. “SMAS can point out some things that are so obvious that the managing director wouldn’t see them, because they are just part of the business.”

The SMAS practitioner was able to help Maclean’s Highland Bakery rectify basic production issues.

Lewis Maclean is more than happy to recommend SMAS to other businesses. He said:

It’s a no-lose situation to have the business review, and I think the chap we had was exceptional.

Contact us to set up a free manufacturing review