Geary’s Bakery, a renowned family-run business behind Jason’s Sourdough, has recently unveiled its newest plant in Leicester, UK. With a whopping investment of £36m ($48.4m), this facility marks the company’s third production site, aimed at meeting the surging demand for their sourdough products. The expansion is expected to double production capacity and generate 380 new job opportunities.
The new bakery will be operational in two phases, with the first phase already up and running, while the second phase is scheduled for a September launch. This strategic move aligns perfectly with Geary’s Bakery’s ongoing growth strategy, focusing on expanding their branded and own-label bakery operations commercially.
Jason Geary, the fourth-generation master baker at Geary’s Bakery and Jason’s Sourdough, expressed his enthusiasm about this new venture, stating, “This [facility] allows our business to move to the next chapter of our growth. The demand for Jason’s Sourdough and real artisanal bread continues to grow, and we are constantly inspired by how much people love our bread. This new site enables us to get our products into more stores and in more homes – while staying true to the quality and craft that set us apart.”
Geary’s flagship brand, Jason’s Sourdough, is currently available in 4,000 stores across the UK. The brand has witnessed a significant increase in sales, doubling in value over the past year and contributing to approximately half of the group’s turnover.
Apart from the plant expansion, Geary’s Bakery is also investing in its workforce development. The company has enrolled 13 apprentices in bakery, engineering, and operations programs, along with recruiting eight new lead bakers. With the addition of these new team members, the company’s total headcount is projected to reach 950 by the end of the year, nearly quadrupling the workforce in just four years.
In November 2019, Geary’s Bakery sold a majority stake in the business to the Unsworth family, renowned food industry veterans. The company, headquartered in Leicester in the English Midlands, serves as a key supplier to major retailers such as Aldi and M&S. Geary’s Bakery stands as the fourth largest bread brand in the UK and holds the title of the category leader for sourdough products.
The article “UK craft bakery Geary’s opens new plant in Leicester” was originally published by Just Food, a brand owned by GlobalData. This expansion not only signifies Geary’s Bakery’s commitment to meeting the growing demand for their products but also reflects their dedication to quality, innovation, and sustainable growth in the bakery industry.
