A recent survey in Modern Baking magazine reported that six out of the 10 biggest concerns by bakery managers are labor-related issues. These include increasing labor costs, finding experienced bakery employees, ongoing training of new staff, quality control difficulties, keeping prices competitive and product consistency.

As with any business, a company is only as good as its employees. Unfortunately, employees are subject to sickness, injury and many other issues that keep them away from their jobs. In addition, employees need to be motivated to produce desired results. Unmotivated employees lead to a decline in quality work, product consistency and productivity.

Simply put, bakery managers spend too much time training people and managing people. The baking industry, like many other manufacturing industries, constantly needs to improve its production methods, increase its productivity, improve quality and reduce costs if it is to remain competitive and profitable.

The big challenge for all bakeries is to reduce costs and increase profits while addressing ever-present labor-related issues. There are many initiatives a bakery may implement that will address this challenge. For example, a larger mixer produces bigger batches with higher yields less frequently, which will reduce time-handling the product and labor costs. Bakeries also can expand or install a bigger freezer, which allows bakeries to hold additional pre-baked products, meeting increased demand during peak sales periods.

With the addition of one major piece of equipment, bakers may improve their profits, reduce labor and increase product offerings. One such piece of equipment, the volumetric bakery depositor, provides the versatility, flexibility and automation to address increased capacity and a declining quality labor pool. Volumetric depositors may be fitted with a wide range of attachments and accessories, benefiting sweet goods and cake manufacturers who produce many products with one machine.

One equipment manufacturer says there are countless benefits of a versatile depositing and finishing system, including:

• Increased productivity due to high-speed production capabilities and precise portion-control
• Increased profitability through ingredient savings
• Better quality control and product consistency
• Reduction in labor costs
• Minimum training required for new bakery employees
• Increase in efficiency by producing larger batches in less time
• Reduce production frequency and draw unbaked goods from freezer as needed
• Increase in sales through additional orders due to a wider range of products.

One depositor manufacturer offers more than 100 different standard design attachments and accessories for many different depositing and decorating applications in muffins, cakes, fruit pies, Danish pastries, injected cakes or pastries, cream pies, cup cakes and icings.

Problem Solver Quick Tip
The baking industry, like other manufacturing industries, needs to constantly improve its production methods, increase productivity, improve quality and reduce costs if it is to remain competitive and profitable. With the addition of one major piece of equipment, bakers may improve their profits, reduce labor and increase product offerings.