Episode One: Improving the Manufacturing Process

When Firstplay Dietary Foods moved to new premises in Stockport in 2020, Tom Fletcher, Managing Director, decided to team up with GM Business Growth Hub to improve their manufacturing process.

With advice from a professional business advisor, they revised the layout of their factory floor by moving their workstations around. Doing so has reduced a lot of motion in the production process, thus enhancing their efficiency.

With support from BGH, they are able to obtain the necessary funding to bring in the required machinery, helping them reduce water usage and speed up the packaging process massively.

"Our growth throughout the last 20 years has been between 5% and 10%. Until the last three years, when we started working with the Hub, our growth over those years has always been between 20% and 25%," said Tom. 

Episode Two: Supporting the local community

Like all Greater Manchester businesses, Firstplay Dietary Foods also encountered supply chain disruption during the pandemic. To address this challenge, Tom Fletcher, the Managing Director, transitioned from relying on raw materials from Europe to sourcing from local suppliers in his community of Stockport.

When working with GCP, a carton board supplier in Stockport, they received much better service than with national companies. Thanks to the geographical proximity, they can scope a project in the morning and receive the sample in the afternoon. This quick response, flexibility and efficiency are things they have never achieved before.

Proud to be part of the Stockport community, Firstplay has long supported the Good Employment Charter, offering real living wages to their employees. Tom believes that endorsing the charter helped them attract valuable talent, not only because of the wages but also because they shared similar values with the charter.

Episode Three: Seizing the vast opportunities internationally

With 35% of Firstplay’s products being exported, it is crucial for the company to explore overseas markets, both from financial and growth perspectives. To seize the vast opportunities internationally, GM Business Growth Hub helped introduce the company to the Department of International Trade, which is vital for their success in exporting. With support from the Hub, Firstplay successfully obtained the Internationalisation Fund, partly funding their trips to the Middle East and the United States. Opening the market in America brought the company opportunities for exponential growth.
 
The Hub also connected the company with various contacts at Manchester Metropolitan University, especially within the food manufacturing division. By collaborating with the university, the company has been able to initiate multiple product development projects that could not have been realised in-house. “We have launched many new products, especially in the past five years,” said Tom Flecter, Managing Director. “Our product range has increased by about 25%.”
 
Firstplay not only supports the local community in Stockport but also participates in international aid initiatives to ensure that those in need can access their products during difficult times, such as the earthquake in Turkey and the war in Ukraine. Tom emphasised, “The people we are making the product for, it is not a lifestyle choice. These patients need these products. It is a privilege to manufacture these products that touch people’s lives on a day-to-day basis.”

Episode Four: Leadership training and Workforce Development

It has always been said that, for every business, the most important asset is its people.

Firstplay Dietary Food was founded by Tom's parents in 1993, and he is now responsible for the company's daily operations. This task is not easy for someone without a business background or formal business training. By participating in the leadership development programme offered by the GM Business Growth Hub, Tom was able to connect with a business mentor with a similar background. This mentor played a crucial role in Tom's journey, as the coaching programme was tailored to the business situation faced by the company; it was just like going through a complete audit of the business. With the support and advice from his mentor, Tom has completed a five-year growth plan for his company, which guides their business development today. 

Tom has significantly improved the company by implementing changes in the managerial structure and introducing new policies. These actions have positively impacted staff morale and production efficiency. Additionally, he has ensured that all managerial team members have received training provided by the Hub, which is crucial for acquiring the necessary skills for their roles. Faye Wild, the Operation Manager, and Dale, the Team Leader, found these training sessions highly beneficial to their professional development and performance. 

Tom and Faye's participation in the lean manufacturing course, a half-day training session by the Hub, was a significant investment. The principles they learned, particularly the mindset of continuous improvement, continue to influence their operations 12 to 18 months after being integrated into the team. This enduring impact underscores the value of such training and its potential to drive long-term success. 

In your business journey, you will never need to walk alone...

In every stage of business development, you'll never be alone. At GM Business Growth Hub, your business is our business. Don't hesitate to contact us to take the first step toward growth now! Visit our website https://www.businessgrowthhub.com or contact us at BGH@growthco.uk / 0161 359 3050