Me and My Factory
5.Delifrance_rustic parisien
Délifrance specialises in rustic and French classic breads. Its stone-baked line includes a variety of rolls, including white, sesame seed topped, malted wheat topped and poppy seed topped.
Also produced are ciabattas, Parisien bread, baguettes and half-baguettes.
“Going back 20 years or so, all that was available in shops was sliced bread, crusty rolls and baguettes. But more recently, consumer awareness around bread has grown considerably,” Bird says.
“They are looking for more authenticity and variety, and we can deliver that with the Renaissance line.”
In terms of innovation, Bird says Délifrance is always trying to deliver something new.
“For me, NPD is the lifeblood of any business,” he explains. “NPD is not just about developing a great product, it’s about challenging your processes, and to be able to deliver them effectively and consistently.”
When it comes to the demands of reformulation, Bird says the company adheres to Food Standards Agency guidelines.
“However, if you keep cutting salt, you will get to the point where you are taking away the essential flavour of bread.”