Baking & Snack - April 2023 - 8

editorial
Investments in workforce
T
There's a theme in this month's issue of Baking & Snack,
and it's one every company is working through: the lack
of labor and the many ways baking companies are trying
to address it.
We know that most are hurriedly investing in automated
equipment to eliminate jobs on the production
floor that were once difficult to fill and are now near
impossible. We constantly hear stories of bakeries starting
a shift with dozens of new employees only to have a
handful stick around through the end of the week. With
so much turnover, quality and efficiency suffer. The impulse
to invest in equipment that doesn't quit and is always
consistent is understandable, especially as bakers try
to invest before interest rates rise too much. In this issue,
you'll find features on cookie processing and ingredient
handling systems that address how you can solve these
issues in your own facilities by employing all that the
latest technology has to offer.
By eliminating jobs no one appears to want
anyway, baking companies are then able to offer
existing and potential employees the opportunity
to move into positions that add more value
than moving racks and pans around a facility.
Employees can stay on the production room
floor to monitor and troubleshoot automated
equipment and production programs. They can
move into R&D and quality assurance or even
sanitation and maintenance. This sets employees up
to not just work a job in a bakery but to build a career,
which many in today's labor force seem to be looking for
even if they don't see the baking industry as a career opportunity.
Josefina Almonte, human resources manager,
International Delights, Clifton, NJ, noted that the pastry
manufacturer is intent on educating them.
" Employees want to experience growth and a path forward
in their careers, " she said. " It's something we make
clear at the onset of hiring and in our training: If you
enjoy the bakery world this can become a lifelong career
and not just at International Delights. "
Providing these career paths requires training and investment
in the employees, however, at a level most baking
companies haven't done in the past. In my feature on
workforce, " Train Them Up, " you can learn more about
how four different baking and snack companies are developing
human resource programs and policies to meet
the needs of today's ambitious yet fickle workforce. This
commitment to workforce, however, requires a massive
investment in human resources but offers an incredible
return, according to Justin Spannuth, chief operating officer,
Unique Snacks, Reading, Pa.
" By implementing these programs, we're allowing people
to be able to see their future, " he explained. " Beyond
their hourly wage, insurance and investments, if they stay
with us, they can see their growth. We're often training
people out of our company, but the ones who stay with us,
they are very loyal. "
Two solutions in tandem - investments in automation
and workforce - might just be the key to taking the baking
industry to the next level in technology and winning
over the next generation of workers.
- Charlotte Atchley, Editor
catchley@sosland.com
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EDITORIAL
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Contributing Editors:
Charlotte Atchley
Dan Malovany
Keith Moore
Michelle Smith
Lucas Cuni-Mertz
Taryn Parker
Donna Berry
Beth Day
Allison Gibeson
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8 Baking & Snack April 2023 / www.bakingbusiness.com
CORPORATE
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President
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Administrative Officer
Chief Operating Officer and
Executive Editor
Charles S. Sosland
L. Joshua Sosland
Staci Greco
Meyer Sosland

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Baking & Snack - April 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Baking & Snack - April 2023