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BAKO named ‘Supplier of the Year’ at awards

Posted on by Claire Stephenson

Preston-based BAKO, has been named Supplier of the Year at the prestigious 2025 Baking Industry Awards, at the Royal Lancaster in London.

Now in their 38th year, the Baking Industry Awards are the UK’s foremost celebration of excellence across the baking sector, from artisan bakers and large-scale manufacturers to suppliers, retailers, and innovators.

This year’s event welcomed more than 600 guests from across the industry for an evening honouring the best and brightest in British baking.

BAKO took home the inaugural Supplier of the Year title, with judges praising the company’s unwavering commitment to serving the baking community, significant business growth, and strategic innovation.

BAKO’s recent acquisition of Finlay’s Foods, expanding its reach across the UK and Ireland, was highlighted as a major step forward, alongside its sustained investment in operational efficiency, sustainability initiatives, and industry development.

Mike Tully, chief executive of BAKO said:

“This award is a tremendous honour and a reflection of the dedication of our teams across the UK and Ireland.

“At BAKO, everything we do is guided by our ‘by bakers for bakers’ ethos. We’re proud to support the industry we love, from local independents to national brands, with quality, service, and innovation.

“Winning Supplier of the Year at such a respected event reinforces our belief that partnership and passion truly make a difference.”

Amy North, British Baker editor, said:

“BAKO is a worthy winner of British Baker’s first-ever Supplier of the Year trophy at the Baking Industry Awards.

“Its longstanding commitment to and influential role within the baking industry deserves recognition, and our panel of judges praised the level of energy put into every aspect of the business from investments in efficiency to supporting the future of the industry, and steps on its sustainability journey.

“BAKO truly is living up to its motto of ‘by bakers for bakers.”

Founded over 60 years ago, BAKO operates from its head office in Preston, with regional headquarters in Durham, Wimbledon, and Ireland, allowing it to provide nationwide coverage and local expertise to bakeries of all sizes.

The business has grown to become one of the UK and Ireland’s leading bakery ingredient and supply specialists, offering an extensive range of products and services designed to help the baking industry thrive.

The Baking Industry Awards are organised by British Baker magazine and celebrate excellence across 14 categories, recognising individuals, teams, and businesses driving the sector forward.

For more information about Bako, visit www.bako.co.uk

BAKO acquires Finlay’s Foods

Posted on by Claire Stephenson

BAKO Group Limited has announced its full acquisition of James A.S. Finlay Limited, trading as Finlay’s Foods, as of 4th April 2024.

With a multi-temperature fleet of over 70 vehicles, BAKO provides independent bakers and caterers with a wide range of ingredients and finished products from quality suppliers, as well as its own BAKO Select branded range, through its depots in Preston, Durham and Wimbledon, employing 312 people across all three sites.

Founded 60 years ago in 1976, BAKO is recognised as a key organisation within the UK bakery industry supply chain and is owned by over 694 shareholders, all of whom are bakers.

Finlay’s Foods has become a leading name in the Irish bakery trade, employing approximately 60 at its purpose-built site in Craigavon. As a manufacturer and distributor of ingredients to the bakery and general food industry, its customer base extends throughout Northern Ireland into the Republic of Ireland, as well as the wider UK, Europe and Asia.

Following the acquisition by BAKO, Finlay’s Foods will continue trading under its existing brand as part of BAKO Group.

BAKO CEO Mike Tully said: “This acquisition opens up new markets for us in Northern Ireland and beyond, offering significant growth opportunities. Finlay’s Foods has established a strong presence and loyal customer base, which we intend to build upon and expand.

“By integrating Finlay’s Foods’ product line with our own, we are able to diversify our offerings and enhance our competitive edge. Their expertise in bakery products complements our current portfolio and opens up a wide range of cross-selling opportunities.

“Bringing Finlay’s Foods into the BAKO family will also provide substantial operational advantages, including optimised supply chains, shared resources, and enhanced production capabilities. 

“The additional resources and capabilities from this acquisition provide us with the ability to accelerate innovation and drive growth, aligning with our commitment to offering high-quality products and services and exploring new market segments.”

Finlay’s Foods Sales Director Patrick Gracey said: “We are excited that Finlay’s Foods is now part of the BAKO Group. Finlay’s has had a long-standing relationship with Bako both as a customer and supplier for over 20 years. This is a natural evolution that benefits both companies and will enable us to build on our customer-focused approach, facilitating the delivery of more choice opportunities and benefits to our loyal customer base.

“Partnering with such a major force and leading light within the UK bakery industry is the start of an exciting journey for both Finlay’s and our customers. Bako’s motto  ‘By Bakers, for Bakers’ symbolises a passion and commitment to the industry that synergises with our own long-term ethos, and we are delighted to be part of this family of companies. We look forward to our journey ahead under the umbrella of such a trusted trade partner.”

BAKO Extends Limitless PR Brief 

Posted on by Claire Stephenson

BAKO Group has extended its brief with Limitless Public Relations to improve brand awareness and understanding with its customers across the UK.

With operational hubs in Preston, Durham and Wimbledon BAKO distribute bakery products to customers nationwide with a multi-temperature fleet of over 70 vehicles. Established over 50 years, the company provides independent bakers and caterers with a wide range of ingredients and finished products from quality suppliers, as well as its own BAKO Select branded range.

BAKO first appointed Limitless PR in July 2019 to handle media relations focussing on bakery trade and local press. It has now expanded the brief to include more holistic tactics aimed at championing the bakery industry as a whole, while also targeting new customer sectors.

Limitless Director Greg Wilson said:

“We are extremely pleased to be expanding our campaign for BAKO. As a company, they have a colossal impact and presence in the lives of independent bakers across the UK.

“During the pandemic they did great work to support the industry, talking to their customers and developing services to provide support where they needed it most, and launching a website to help independent bakers sell online.

“The expanded campaign will effectively be aimed at turning the camera round onto BAKO’s customers, giving them a voice and championing what they do, their immense passion and dedication, getting up early every morning to help feed the country.”

With offices in Preston and Blackburn, Limitless PR provides professional PR expertise, with all its people having a minimum of 10 years’ experience within any client sector they are assigned to work on, with clients including Preston City Council, Plumbs, Sundown Solutions, Winter Gardens Blackpool, Sales Geek, Northern Industrial and Santé Group.