News
Brace's Announces 26 New Jobs At Rogerstone Bakery
22 November 2011
Brace’s, Wales’ largest independent bakery, has created 26 new production posts at the former Warburtons bakery in Newport, nearly a year after it was saved from closure.
Following a £4m acquisition, Brace's took over the Rogerstone site from Warburtons in December, and in February, began producing sandwich bread there for a company producing sandwiches for major high street retailers. The success of this contract means shifts will be increased from 12-hours to 24-hours a day, seven days a week.
Warburtons announced last September that it was set to close the site, putting all 114 staff at risk of redundancy. Within weeks, Brace's opened discussions to save it, with support from the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union and the Welsh government.
The new posts will increase Brace's workforce in Rogerstone to 77. Brace’s, which has a 109 year history and a total workforce of 350, also has plants in Croespenmaen and Crumlin.
Jonathan Brace, Director at the family-run firm, said: “Following the purchase of the Rogerstone bakery in February 2011, Brace’s has won further business, which has led to a need to expand the workforce at the site to cope with demand.
“Rogerstone currently produces for 12 hours a day, 7 days a week, but will become operational for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week following a period of recruitment and training for two additional shifts. This will provide a growth platform for Christmas and beyond.”
Mark Brace, Managing Director of Brace’s said: “We are delighted to be able to announce further employment at the Rogerstone site. From the time of transfer of the bakery, it has always been our intention to build on the highly competent workforce there.”
2011 has been a key year for development for Brace’s. In the last 6 months, the bakery was ranked the highest Welsh company in the Sunday Times newspaper’s Profit Track 100 compilation, which lists the UK’s fastest-growing privately-owned businesses. Last month Brace’s was also selected for the Sunday Telegraph newspaper’s Britain’s Brightest Businesses supplement, which celebrated the 1,000 mid-sized UK companies to best weather the economic downturn.
Last month, Brace’s also won Wales Business Insider magazine’s Made in Wales Food and Drink Award, which recognises those who have made the biggest contribution to Welsh manufacturing and the best companies designing, developing and making products in Wales.
Mark Brace continued: “We have a strong presence in Wales and the South West, which is continuing to grow as we consolidate our position of the number one selling bread maker in the region. These new shifts at our Rogerstone site are key to our future expansion and will allow us to further secure our presence in south Wales. We are grateful to our dedicated and highly efficient staff, which has contributed in no small way to our current success.”
Martin Pritchard was one of the Warburtons staff retained by Brace’s during the acquisition of the Rogerstone site. The Team Manager said: “There was all-round relief when Brace’s announced their takeover of the Rogerstone site, which was seamless, and now there is excitement surrounding the growth of production here. Brace’s has such a sound reputation, particularly in this area, and many people are keen to work for the company. There seem to be exciting times ahead.”
Leader of Newport City Council, Councillor Matthew Evans, welcomed the news when he visited the Rogerstone bakery today. He said: “I very much welcome that Brace’s will be employing more people at its plant in Newport.
“A year ago the outlook was bleak with the announcement of the closure of the factory in Rogerstone, however, Brace’s took over the site and a number of jobs were saved.
“It is great to see a business expanding in this tough economic climate and looking to employ more local people.”
Picture - Paul Flynn (far left), and Councillor Matthew Evans, (far right), Brace’s Managing Director Mark Brace (seated), Director Jonathan Brace and Richard Mynott, Executive General Manager at the Rogerstone site (second from right)
Cabinet member for regeneration, Councillor Ed Townsend echoed Councillor Evans’ comment. He said: “The announcement by Brace’s is good news for the local economy. This is positive for those who were previously employed on this site but have been unsuccessful in finding a similar role. Brace’s has had a successful year and this is testament to the hard work of its employees.”
Paul Flynn, MP for Newport West said: “Mark and Jonathan Brace have every right to be proud of their work. This has been an exciting story. It’s every MP’s dream to have locally based firms with roots that stretch deeply into the local community.”
Rosemary Butler AM, Presiding Officer of the National Assembly for Wales, once again offered her support, saying: “Braces must be congratulated on honouring their promise to create more jobs when they bought the bakery site. They are a long established and highly regarded employer and have a loyal and well skilled workforce. I am confident that they will continue to be a key part of the Newport economy.”