In this podcast for FoodManufacture.co.uk, Rebecca Manfredi discusses the perils of being a manufacturer at the mercy of sudden peaks and troughs in demand, depending on the weather.
The Tamworth-based Suncream Dairies, which produces 13M litres of ice cream each year for the foodservice and wholesale markets, is planning to extend its warehouse and cold store facilities on a neighbouring site to give it greater control over stock levels.
Flexible workforce
However, as Manfredi revealed, this was not the only way she can cope with drastic changes in demand.
Listen to the podcast to discover why a flexible workforce is vital, how production planning can be readily adapted and how the relationship with her hauliers is crucial.
She also explained how she has removed risks from the business by developing year-round products and how last year’s Olympics and Jubilee celebrations compensated for a poor summer.
Don’t miss July’s edition of our sister title Food Manufacture magazine for the full interview with Manfredi.