Bakery Manufacturer of the Year 2025 finalists confirmed

Sweet treat suppliers in Bradford and Burnley, and a sourdough specialist in Leicester make up the finalists for Bakery Manufacturer of the Year 2025.

Judges in the category, which is sponsored by Fritsch Bakery Technologies, looked to reward firms that are ambitious, growing, and striving to be the best in their sector. Entrants were also asked to demonstrate an ability to deliver quality products on a large scale, as well as care for their customers, employees, and the environment.

Let’s swing open the factory doors and find out more about each finalist:

Cherrytree Bakery

Burnley-based sweet treats supplier Cherrytree Bakery has been smashing it over the past 12 months, with turnover leaping by 43% and profit soaring 52%. The purchase of an adjacent 12,000 sq ft unit back in 2023 has been followed by further investment (totalling £2.6m) to create a state-of-the art factory dedicated to traybakes. This doubled the company’s production capacity and allowed for innovation of new lines for its retail and foodservice customers.

Recruitment has also increased by 22% in the last year to support growth, nearing the 200 mark. And it has begun exporting on a permanent basis too, with overseas sales rising from £23k to more than £2.5m.

Cherrytree supplies a variety of brownies, muffins, traybakes, and loaf cakes, as well as some traditional items like Chorley cakes. It is currently partnering with Nestlé Professional on the co-manufacturing of a new range of muffins featuring branded chocolate bar inclusions, and has also launched muffins and brownies under its own brand.

The company prides itself on its limited use of automation whilst hand decorating at speed, granting it the flexibility to offer a very quick turnaround of NPD for customers (around six weeks). This dynamic approach impressed the judging panel, who praised the creativity and strong visual appeal of its range. “With efficient operations and a flexible response to customer demands, Cherrytree balances innovation with reliable commercial delivery,” said a judge, with another noting how everyone they met during their visit seemed engaged and enjoyed working there.

Geary’s Bakeries

The meteoric rise of Jason’s Sourdough up the leaderboard of British bread brands has seen Geary’s Bakeries struggling to keep pace with demand. However, the family business expertly rushed through a third production site in Leicester – costing £35m and coming online in May – to provide some much needed additional capacity for its vibrantly packaged sourdough range.

Now run by fourth-generation master baker Jason Geary, the firm said it combines traditional baking techniques with innovative approaches to scale, convenience, and consistency. A bespoke manufacturing setup is central to its production model, it added, with semi-automated machinery customised to its unique recipes helping maintain product quality in vast quantity.

Turnover at Geary’s – which also supplies own-label white bloomers, malted loaves, rustic wholemeals, and sourdough items to retailers – is forecast to reach £130m this year, up from £92m in 2024. Accordingly, workforce has more than quadrupled over the past five years from 212 to 888 staff members, with a further jump to over 1,000 expected by year end.

Judges found the company to excel in producing high-quality, artisan-style bread at scale, which they said reflected a commitment to both innovation and authenticity. “Their focus on long fermentation processes and consistent product standards highlights their expertise and dedication to excellence,” was one of the comments.

Regal Foods

Established in 2001, Regal Bakery has grown to produce a huge portfolio of around 400 SKUs (predominantly sweet treats) which are distributed to more than 3,000 retail outlets nationwide, sitting in both mainstream cake and world foods sections. It recently secured Ocado listings for 62 products under its Regal Foods and Yorkshire Baking Company brands.

In addition, more than 20% of the products are exported to over 50 countries worldwide, with the company receiving the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in 2022 for its services to International Trade.

The sprawling bakery facility in Bradford is staffed by 250-plus operatives and features a total of 13 rotating gas ovens and four packing lines, with various other weighing, mixing, and depositing machinery plus a one-of-its-kind water jet cutting machine developed exclusively by the firm.

Sales continued to increase over the pandemic, and have accelerated in the years since, most recently jumping from £31.6m in 2023 to £39.1m last year. Nearly £5m of company funds have been spent on upgrades on-site to improve capacity by more than 40%.

Judges appreciated the high volumes and diversity of products created at Regal Bakery, which showcased strong technical capability and consistent quality. “The business is clearly well-structured, with a focus on efficiency, scalability, and customer satisfaction,” expressed the panel, echoing its strong growth “driven by the leadership’s energy and enthusiasm”.

Join us for a night of celebration

The winners will be revealed at a black-tie ceremony on Thursday 23 October 2025 at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London, hosted by a yet-to-be-revealed celebrity guest.

Tickets for the awards are available now via the Baking Industry Awards website. Individual tickets cost £350+VAT and a table of 10 costs £3,325+VAT.

The event includes a dazzling drinks reception, a three-course dinner with wine and coffee, and an afterparty complete with snacks and entertainment to help you celebrate into the early morning.

Get your tickets here: https://bakeryawards.co.uk/live/en/page/attend