Reporter Jenny Beake takes a trip behind the scenes of a Spalding factory
The smell of freshly baked bread wafts out of the factory through vents as the workers go about their baking. And if that is a smell you love then David Wood Baking could well be a great place for you to work.
The Spalding company is currently holding a recruitment drive, looking for an additional 60 staff to join the family-led business.
And to give a taste of what life is like as an employee, I was given a tour, writes Jenny Beake.
The production lines at the Fulney Lane site start with the dough and the style of bread – tiger bread, brioche, bloomers – are baked, then cooled before being finally wrapped to be delivered.
Namratha Harmalkar, technical manager, and Juspal Sidhu, process development specialist, took time out of their busy day to show me around the factory.
After being given safety gear – boots, overalls, hair net and ear plugs – we had a tour of the premises.
The staff canteen offers a place to sit for lunch and will be introducing hot food for staff.
There are male and female changing rooms and an emphasis on diversity with Stronger Together and Ethical Information for staff.
Mrs Harmalkar said: “There is a whole set of different people working here.”
Mr Sidhu is pleased that one of the production lines is named after him.
An employee of the month scheme sees two people per month awarded an extra day’s holiday.
The Your Voice Matters scheme with You Said, We Did means that ideas and requests are listened to – such as providing free fruit for employees.
There is also a taste testing session daily at 3pm to gain opinions from employees on the product.
Operations Manager Aaron Corbett said: “We want to stimulate more recruitment and retention and we try to do our bit for employees and the community – for example donating products – and give a bit back.
“Bread is not a seasonal thing – and over 30 years people’s tastes have changed – they spend a little more for better quality products – and we are not going to stop any time soon.
“We encourage employees to have a voice – asking people random questions in the corridor.”
For information visit www.davidwoodfoods.com or send a CV to spaldinghr@dwbaking.com
- Have you got a story? Email jenny.beake@iliffepublishing.co.uk
