The Original Baker has completed a major expansion project to double production capacity and create 30 new jobs at its site in North Yorkshire.
The 22,000 sq ft extension of its existing facility on Norton Grove Industrial Estate was funded through a multi-million-pound investment from owner, the Olidor Group, which acquired the bakery supplier in 2023.
To increase capacity and efficiency, the company has installed new state-of-the-art pastry and baking lines. It is also looking to continue expanding its established range of handmade pies, savoury pastries, quiches, traybakes, biscuits, and tarts with innovative seasonal launches and extended formats.
In addition, The Original Baker has enhanced its cold chain infrastructure and introduced improved storage, picking, and dispatch processes in support of a move into e-commerce and wider distribution of its products to delis, farm shops, and independent retailers across the UK.
Investment has been made on recruitment as well, with 30 skilled and entry-level staff expected to come on board over the next 12 months ranging from bakery operatives and quality controllers to supervisory positions and specialist food technologists. Accounts filed to Companies House for the year ended 31 December 2024 showed average number of employees at The Original Baker has risen to 100 from 87 in 2023.
The company said its latest recruitment drive would help boost the local economy and support the food manufacturing sector in North Yorkshire, as it continues to work closely with local suppliers and farmers, ensuring that its growth also benefits the wider rural economy.
“This is a landmark moment for The Original Baker,” commented managing director, Mike Walker. “The investment from the Olidor Group has enabled us to grow sustainably while staying true to our artisan roots. This expansion has strengthened our position as the leading producer of artisan premium pastry and created rewarding careers for talented people in our community.”
Earlier this year, the Olidor Group acquired Cheltenham-based sweet bakery specialist Four Anjels to add to its portfolio that also includes Brusco Food Group, Karimix, Mayfair Foods, The Artful Baker, and Porter Foods.
Olidor Group CEO Andrew Ashby said: “We invest in businesses with strong values, exceptional products, and clear growth potential. The Original Baker ticks every box. Together, we’re building on their artisan heritage while creating a strong future for the brand and the people behind it.
“The support and backing of a larger group have enabled The Original Baker to make long term investments that will cement their position as the UK’s leading producer of handcrafted sweet and savoury bakery products,” he added.
The Original Baker was launched in August 2018 by
Gill Ridgard originally founded premium pastry producer Yorkshire Baker in April 2013, before joining forces with business partner Cheryl Barrett and renaming it The Original Baker in August 2018. In 2021, the company secured a six-figure funding package from HSBC UK to expand its production capacities.
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