Bread on baskets in a warehouse

Source: Bakers Basco

Bakers Basco has reported marked improvements in attrition rates across its bread baskets and dollies.

The membership scheme, which was set up by Allied Bakeries, Fine Lady Bakeries, Frank Roberts & Sons, Hovis and Warburtons to manage bakery equipment, reported that attrition rates for baskets has fallen 0.8% year-on-year by the end of February 2023, while the rate for dolly equipment has improved by 1.8%.

At the same time, calls to the Bakers Basco helpline to report backlogs of all managed equipment have reduced 58% year-on-year and 53% for Omega baskets specifically.

Paul empson - Bakers Basco

Source: Bakers Basco

Paul Empson

Paul Empson, general manager at Bakers Basco, said these improvements have been reported across the board as a result of more streamlined collaboration between its operations and investigations teams. It’s also the result of better education initiatives with key players in the bakery supply chain to ensure they understand what to do with equipment and how to report any issues, it added.

Equipment audits and driver briefings, for example, take place regularly across all shareholders’ sites to raise awareness of Bakers Basco’s work. By engaging directly with the drivers, who often work on different shifts and different routes from one day to the next, the effort is intended to encourage drivers to step up and help support the Bakers Basco’s operations and recovery process.

“Over the last year, we’ve vastly expanded into new markets and industries to raise awareness and educate key stakeholders through a range of new measures and initiatives, and we’ve upped the ante with our PR campaigns,” said Empson.

“As a result, the whole collection process is more connected and is working more efficiently. It also comes down to taking a more measured approach across all aspects of our day-to-day business – and it’s encouraging to see this is all having a positive impact on being able to bring those all-important attrition rates down.”

Bakers Basco equipment is designed for the sole purpose of transporting bread. Sometimes it can be delayed and held up at supermarkets and other times it’s because it has been taken unlawfully and used by companies without permission, both of which cause massive disruption to the supply chain and the day-to-day running of operations.

Over the past few years, the scheme has invested in technology including introducing GPS tracking devices across its bakery equipment pool to track daily movements of its equipment more closely.