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CLARK'S PIES LOOKS FOR FUTURE GROWTH AS BAKERIES MERGE Clark's Pies, an institution in Cardiff and surrounding area since their launch 99 years ago, are planning for business growth by merging their two bakeries in the city. The family-owned company plans to move production from the Victoria Park bakery later this summer and transfer the staff and production to their other bakery in Grangetown. It will be business as usual at the company's busy shops in Victoria Park and Grangetown, which will remain open. “It's an exciting time for the company,” said Dennis Dutch, “Merging our two bakeries will focus expertise on one site, which will help to make us fitter for the future, allowing for greater business opportunities. Whilst there will be some re-organisation of staffing, there will be no compulsory redundancies and, so far as our loyal customers are concerned, business will continue. We can reassure customers that the recipe, which makes Clark's Pies unique, will remain unchanged. The expertise of the company will come together at the Grangetown bakery, which will provide the launch-pad for business growth. Clark's Pies will continue to be run by the fourth generation of founder Mary Clark's family, commercial director Ceri Dutch-John and her cousins, production director Amanda Rosoman and purchasing director Beverley Pemberton. The family opened Victoria Park bakery in 1929 and Grangetown bakery followed in 1955. The company, which produces pies and a pasties, closely guards the secret pie filling recipe, which has been handed down through the generations. Unusually for a pie, the pastry is thick enough not to require a foil tray and is stamped with the word ‘CLARPIE' on the base. The pies, nicknamed ‘Clarkies' or ‘Clarksies', are supplied to retail outlets, takeaways, cafes and pubs in Cardiff and surrounding areas. They can also be found at the Cardiff City stadium, home to Cardiff City football club and the Blues regional rugby team. The company is being assisted by various agencies including Business in Focus and the Welsh Assembly Government. They are also receiving marketing support via the food and drink mentoring programme offered by the Food, Fish and Market Development Division also of the Welsh Assembly Government and delivered by Menter a Busnes. Mentor David Edwards: “Clark's Pies are as well known as Brain's Beer in Cardiff. The company has a great heritage in the city and produces traditional pies to a recipe that has stood the test of time. My role is to help the company develop its sales and marketing as it prepares to enter its second century in business.” Ends For more information contact either Ceri Dutch-John, Amanda Rosoman or Beverley Pemberton, Clark's Pies directors, on: |
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