University experts help boost production at Blackpool pet treats firm

Engineers at the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre North West used their process mapping and factory layout improvement expertise to help The Barking Bakery meet an unexpected surge in demand for canine treats due to the demand for pets during Covid.

Barking Bakery makes cupcakes, cheesy biscuits, “pupcorn” and its signature personalised “pawty” cakes, for dogs, with its products distributed online and through national retailers.

When business owner Michelle Turnbull moved The Barking Bakery to the Blackpool Enterprise Zone in 2019, she had a national growth plan.

But she did not anticipate the puppy-buying boom brought about by the Covid pandemic which has seen 2.2 million pooches bought in the UK. This led to an enormous increase in demand for her products from companies including Pets at Home, The Range, Booths and Fetch.

To help meet this unprecedented increase, Michelle contacted Blackpool Unlimited’s Growth 4 Business (G4B) service who commissioned the AMRC North West research team to work with partners to undertake a process mapping and factory layout improvement exercise.

The support was funded through a European Regional Development Fund initiative.

Melissa Conlon, commercial director at AMRC North West, said: “Working together, we helped The Barking Bakery deal with its growth aspirations by developing and implementing plans to increase its manufacturing capacity, with the additional benefit of better process flows throughout the factory.

“At AMRC North West, we specialise in using our manufacturing expertise and world class technologies to help Lancashire SMEs explore and de-risk the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies such as robotics, additive manufacturing, virtual reality, digitisation and machine learning to improve their processes.

“Our fully funded ERDF assists are there for manufacturing businesses across Lancashire to take advantage of and benefit from.”

Michelle said: “By being able to access various funding sources, including AMRC North West’s ERDF-backed initiative, Blackpool Council grants, Made Smarter and other bodies, it has allowed us to purchase much-needed equipment, enabling the bakery to up production, improve drying time and employ another four members of staff.

“The supporting partners’ help has been invaluable. It not only ensured we were able to meet demand this Christmas, but the changes we’ve made and the strategy we’ve set should ensure we’re well positioned to continue our growth aspirations, including creating new jobs.”

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