Founded in 1993, Firstplay Dietary Foods focuses on developing and manufacturing specialist low-protein products prescribed for those with metabolic disorders or who need reduced-protein diets due to medical conditions. Led by Tom Fletcher, Managing Director, the company is one of the few in the UK to produce low-protein products for healthcare institutions and patients.
When they moved to a new premises in Stockport in 2020, Tom answered an unexpected call from a GM Business Growth Hub advisor. Seeing the possibility of improving the manufacturing process, Firstplay teamed up with GM Business Growth Hub. Since then, they have been a dynamic duo. Together, they faced the challenging business environment during the pandemic and national lockdown, navigated the Brexit-troubled waters to open the overseas markets, and achieved a year-on-year growth of 20 to 25% in the past three years.
Tom shares their business journey and experience of working with the GM Business Growth Hub. Over four episodes, Tom will discuss enhancing the manufacturing process, engaging with the local community, exploring international markets through new product launches, and improving workforce development.
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!
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.
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