Funding Package Bakes Bright Future for Southport Business
7th October 2008
A 50 year old family bakery business has received a cash boost of more than £300k, including a loan from Alliance Fund Managers (AFM), to bring in new high-tech equipment to assist the company’s expansion plans.
The Dutch Bakery was founded in 1959 by Amsterdam-born Nic Klaassen and his wife Vera who was from Liverpool. They set up the business in the city centre before moving it to Southport in the 1970s where it is now run by son Derek.
Originally the business specialised in authentic Dutch pastries - which it still produces, but it has also diversified to make a range of traditional English cakes, pies and pastries. Customers include Lancaster University, the new five star Vincent Hotel in Southport and numerous hotels and shops across Lancashire and Merseyside.
The company has raised a funding package totalling more than £300k which includes a £50k loan from AFM through the Merseyside Special Investment Fund Small Firms Fund together with support from Barclays.
Managing director, Derek Klaassen said: “We needed funding to fit out the premises with new, modern equipment so that we can make our products quicker and more efficiently to keep up with demand. We now want to broaden our customer base and are particularly looking to target hotels in Liverpool and national pub chains.
“All meat and vegetables used in our recipes are sourced locally and we have used the same flour supplier for around 30 years. We devise our own recipes and can produce food for all sorts of occasions. We recently produced traditional Russian cuisine for a Russian night at Lancaster University and have catered for a variety of themed events.
“The team at AFM have been really helpful. Bureaucracy was kept to a minimum and they turned the deal around really quickly for us.”
AFM investment manager Alan Birkett added: “Derek has vast experience in his industry having worked in the business since he left school. He has managed to maintain company traditions whilst also recognising the need to move with the times and is driving the business to the next level.”
The Dutch Bakery employs 21 staff. Turnover last year was £700k.
Ends
For further information please contact Angela White at AFM on 0151 242 6376.
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Photo shows: Alan Birkett (AFM) and Derek Klassen (Dutch Bakery)
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