Crumlin firm Brace’s Bakery has marked its first year of production at its plant in Rogerstone, Newport.
Brace’s, Wales’ largest independent bakery, took over from Warburtons at the Rogerstone site in December 2010, following a £5m acquisition. Brace’s saved the plant from closure and in February 2011, began producing sandwich bread there for a company producing products for major high street retailers.
In November, Brace’s announced the creation of 26 new production posts at the plant owing to an increase in shifts from 12-hours to 24-hours a day, seven days a week.
The Brace family has been baking in South Wales since 1902 and has two other bakeries in Croespenmaen and Pen-y-Fan, Crumlin. Company Director Jonathan Brace and his elder brother, Managing Director Mark, are the fourth generation of the family to head the business.
Jonathan Brace said: “Acquiring the Rogerstone site was a huge investment for the company, but it has paid off and has reinforced our commitment to Wales and the South West.
“Demand for Brace’s products continues to grow across these regions and a third site made sound business sense and was key to our expansion plans.
“The former Warburtons staff who stayed on with us and also new employees who joined them at the Rogerstone site, helped with the smooth transition and have been instrumental in the success of our first year of production there. Adding a third plant to our portfolio of bakeries has helped us provide an even better service to our retail customers and consumers.”