The Impact of COVID-19 on Farmhouse Biscuits
Farmhouse biscuits, a manufacturer of traditional (and delicious) biscuits based in Nelson, started from a modest farmhouse in Lancashire and have since grown to become one of the country’s largest premier biscuit manufacturers. Their passion lies in tradition, and using the finest ingredients to make the tastiest products by following family recipes handed down through generations. As a traditional business they are used to operating in a traditional way and along with many other manufacturers, were quickly forced to adapt to the outbreak of coronavirus.
Speaking of the impact of Covid-19 on the operations of the business, Joanne Whalley, HR Manager, tell us that that as a business “we’ve adapted quite well to the changes we’ve had to make”.
In terms of those changes Joanne explained that “home working has been introduced in roles that we hadn’t previously considered”. “It’s brought about a new way of thinking in relation to working flexibly”. Joanne notes that this is rather a significant shift for a traditional manufacturer who in normal circumstances would tend to “shy away from having key people physically away from the site”. Joanne is confident however that the last few months have proven that as a business “we can continue to operate whilst people are working off site”.
Farmhouse Biscuits has also had to adapt to implement government guidance on safe working for food businesses. In this regard Farmhouse have “introduced temperature checks before starting work” and staff have been provided with additional PPE. “Perspex screens have been introduced on productions lines” and “social distancing measures have been put into place where possible”.
In terms of the impact of this on the workforce Joanne explained that “managers and employees alike have had to adapt to the new practices”. At the same time they have also had to “adapt to working in such a warm environment whilst wearing masks or face shields”.
Joanne notes that the biggest impact for Farmhouse biscuits has been “the absence of some key people who have had to shield” in line with government guidance and “the increased pressures that this has put on others within the workforce”. In all it has shown that as a business “we are adaptable to change and have all played our part in digging in when it’s really mattered”. |