Handholding helps organic baby food firm grow up fast
Organic children's ready meals manufacturer Miniscoff has virtually doubled output, thanks to advice from the Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS).
The Wiltshire-based company, which supplies the foodservice and retail sectors, has increased production from 15,000 meals a month to just over 25,000.
Turnover has grown 60% year-on-year since husband and wife team Angus and Shoo Oliphant founded the company in 2000, and now exceeds £400,000.
Faced with increasing demand, the couple looked to the Department of Trade and Industry-funded MAS in the South West for help in improving production without compromising on quality. Simon Lock, the MAS food and drink specialist and expert in lean manufacturing, created optimum sequences for the recipes, which halved production times and doubled output.
A layout was then designed for a proposed new 930m2 factory, including dual production lines to allow a dedicated line for the company's most popular dishes. Miniscoff estimated the site will allow growth of £450,000 a year.
"Following the support we received from MAS, we experienced an 80% productivity improvement across the range," said Angus Oliphant. "We are now ready to increase the size of our operation, relocate to new premises, welcome new clients and carry on expanding."
Major customers include the Tootsies restaurant chain, Center Parcs, and Stena Ferries.
According to the consumer organisation Which?, sales of organic baby food now exceed those of non-organic varieties.
