Oakdale Bakeries, renamed Bakesense Bakeries, has called in administrators for the second time this year.
With sites in Doncaster and Wigan, over 200 jobs remain uncertain. The company makes mince pies, tarts and fruit pies.
Glenn Bancroft, co-owner, acquired Oakdale Bakeries from administrators in March. Last week, he told British Baker that the rocketing prices of wheat, oil, energy, packaging and butter had taken its toll on the business. Butter prices have also risen by 40% since January 2007, according to a report from Staple Dairy Products.
Bancroft stressed that the bakery’s parent firm Bakesense, a bakery sales and marketing com-pany, remained unaffected by the latest trading under administration, as did its other bakery in Wales.
"As for the Oakdale business, it’s extremely unfortunate because, over the past 17 weeks, our team managed to slash weekly losses from nearly £200,000 down to £17,000."
Bancroft added that because margins had been squeezed by rapidly increasing costs, the business forecasts for the year failed to secure the required investment.
"Our team is now focusing on Bakesense’s bakery in Wales. Although the administration of the two former Oakdale sites is disappointing, it has been an experience that we will learn from," he said.
Oakdale originally called in administrators on 26 January and a deal was completed with Bakesense on 9 March. A spokesman for administrator Deloitte said it was seeking support from custo-mers and would continue to trade the business while looking to sell it as a going concern.
No comments yet