Bakery supports expansion plans with trio of hires
The baker – which currently operates from three industrial units on Station Road in Shipley – planned to expand production into a fourth unit and demolish the existing offices and staffroom to further extend its bakery floorspace and freezer space, increasing capacity by around 50%.
Just Desserts’ expansion plans follow a period of growth for the manufacturer, which experienced a 38% increase in like-for-like sales compared to last year, and the extension into a third unit at its site on Station Road.
Doubling sales growth
Sales for the manufacturer’s dessert bars doubled in the past year, with a significant increase on selected core product lines. Individual cornflake tart sales have gone up by about 50%, individual chocolate puddings have increased by 30% and its chocolate fudge cake has seen a rise by 25%.
The bakery’s Individual Cheesecake range, launched in 2018, has seen the biggest success with a 150% rise in like-for-like sales on this time last year. Just Desserts attributed the growth in sales to changing consumer habits toward buying smaller, individual products.
To support its expansion plans, Just Desserts has hired three new bakers to its production team – Johanna Wilton, John Mahony and Stefan Carey-Harrington.
Expanding the bakery team
Commenting on the new hires, managing director James O’Dwyer said: “We are delighted to expand our bakery team with these three new talented appointments.
“We are enjoying a strong period of growth across the bakery, but particularly in the dessert bar and take-home market, where our individual desserts are becoming increasingly popular with caterers.
“Jo, John and Stefan’s enthusiasm and experience have been invaluable in strengthening the bakery team’s skill-set to support our expansion plans.”
Meanwhile, Müller UK & Ireland has created 65 new jobs as part of a £50m expansion at its Telford manufacturing facility.
