An ice cream producer is prepared for the summer time rush after utilizing know-how to remodel with the assist of Made Smarter.
Lakes Ice Cream, primarily based in Kendal, makes 1.2 million litres of ice cream annually and distributes everywhere in the UK.
It has invested in knowledge and system integration instruments that hyperlink key enterprise operations together with order processing, manufacturing, inventory management, gross sales, distribution and accounting.
The know-how has changed conventional guide, time-consuming and paper-based processes, sped up communications inside the enterprise, and freed the small staff of 15 workers to deal with extra high-value and expert duties, reminiscent of creating new recipes, flavours and merchandise.
The funding helps Lakes Ice Cream decarbonise by eliminating paper-based processes and activating supply route optimisation which reduces gasoline use.
Crucially, the funding has enabled the enterprise, which has skilled a 40% improve in turnover, to maintain up with demand and future-proof its plans to scale up the enterprise.
Lakes Ice Cream was supported by Made Smarter’s North West Adoption programme, which helps SME producers to undertake new applied sciences to improve productiveness, obtain sustainable development, and create new excessive worth jobs.
James Stephens, Managing Director, mentioned: “We’re delighted with our expertise of Made Smarter. From the primary dialog they’ve supported our digital transformation, supplied their experience and given us that confidence in beginning our digitalisation journey.
“The know-how funding which was matched funded by Made Smarter, has had an unbelievable impression, making every thing simpler. It has made us excited for the following stage.
“What we’ve got achieved to this point actually demonstrates the substantial advantages that digitalisation and integration make.
“Now we have a small staff so time is extraordinarily treasured, so to squeeze extra productiveness wherever you’ll be able to is improbable. What’s extra, our workers see these advantages because it permits them to study new expertise and revel in their work extra.”
Three years in the past, after 1 / 4 of a century as a family-owned enterprise rising organically by gross sales in retailers, supermarkets, motels and meals service wholesalers, Lakes Ice Cream started a brand new period underneath the possession of Joanne and Robin Graham.
Past knowledge and methods integration applied sciences, Lakes Ice Cream are additionally trying to spend money on an automatic packing equipment which is 4 occasions faster than the present guide course of. There are additionally ambitions to embed this know-how in a brand new manufacturing unit additional down the road.
James added: “We need to take the enterprise to the following degree. Which means a brand new manufacturing unit and chilly retailer, new automated equipment and new autos. On the coronary heart of these modifications will likely be a software program system that integrates all points of our enterprise and lays the foundations for scale.”
Donna Edwards, Director of Made Smarter’s North West Adoption, mentioned: “The summer time holidays are the excellent alternative to have fun the producers of all of the scrumptious ice-cream we will likely be having fun with.
“We’re delighted to be supporting Lakes Ice Cream at first of their journey to digitalise and decarbonise.
“It’s a improbable instance of the impression that knowledge and methods integration know-how can have on a enterprise to drive productiveness, effectivity, sustainability and development.
“Lakes Ice Cream are amongst lots of of producers within the area greedy the alternatives supplied by Made Smarter which embody skilled, neutral know-how recommendation, digital transformation workshops to assist take that first step to remodel a enterprise, and assist with know-how funding. I’d encourage different family-owned companies and SME producers to do the identical.”
For extra data, go to www.madesmarter.uk
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