They make them tough in Yorkshire

The Dalesman Group suffered a catastrophic fire at their Head Office site in Bradford resulting in the loss of its entire manufacturing facility. Just six months later, and with true Yorkshire grit, their BRC audit conducted earlier this week awarded a recommendation for AA grade status based on a completed action plan for only two minor non-compliances.

At 10pm on Wednesday 9 August, a huge fire engulfed the warehouse, production and offices bringing the whole business and building to the ground. Instead of shutting up shop or taking a breather, the entire workforce united to rebuild the business. Since then they have purchased new processing equipment, sourced replacement ingredients and moved premises not only once, but twice (now set up in an intermediary 43,000 square foot premises in Bradford). The business moved at a rapid pace to ensure minimal impact to their customers and were back producing key products within five working days of the fire.

All their hard work, team spirit and determination has been realised this week with their BRC Audit result recommending them a AA Grade – a remarkable achievement given where they were just six months ago!

Ian Rhodes, Senior Director and Co-Founder of the company said:

“This signifies the huge achievement that The Dalesman Group has accomplished during the past six months and we could not be happier with the results”, he continued “The Dalesman Group has always taken pride in its high-quality product, industry leading traceability processes and exemplary customer service. This result demonstrates our commitment to the high standards that set us apart from our rivals that we have sustained throughout these last six months of adversity”.

The Dalesman Group also chose to include the BRC Voluntary Module 12 AOECS Gluten-Free Foods to reinforce and build further on their already well established and popular Coeliac UK certified Gluten Free range of products.

So, what's next for The Dalesman Group? They have just announced that their full product portfolio is back in production, as well as their bespoke blending function and popular New Product Development (NPD) technical facility. Plans are already drawn up and agreed to start the rebuilding process on the original Chase Way site to reinstate an industry leading, future proofed manufacturing, warehousing, NPD and head office facility opening in 2019.

When asked about the progress of the company and its future Ian Rhodes said:

“Production is now back to pre-fire capability and the product list has been expanded to include all pre-fire product offerings including lowering the minimum order quantity for bespoke designed products to just 100kg. We have been working hard to ensure that we are supporting our customers, our BRC result is fantastic but we will not rest on our laurels and will continue to strive for the manufacturing excellence that has got us to where we are today.”

The Dalesman Group is a privately-owned company with their Head Office and manufacturing based in Bradford with offices also in Lothian, Warwick and Newcastle employing 94 people.
Founded in 1979 by Gordon Rhodes and his son Ian (current Senior Director), the company manufactures seasonings, fine food ingredients, culinary and functional blends. With a reputation for creating gourmet and bespoke recipes, they create award winning taste sensations experienced in many high-quality sausage, burger and savoury bakery brands.

The company also own the popular consumer brand Gordon Rhodes that produces Award Winning Jolly Fine Stuffing's, Gourmet Sauce Mixes and Award Winning Hot Rubs.

In August 2017 the company suffered from a devastating fire that destroyed the entire manufacturing, warehousing and head office site at Chase Way, Bradford.

The BRC Global Standard for Food Safety is developed by food industry experts from retailers, manufacturers and food service organisations to ensure it is rigorous and detailed, yet easy to understand.

First published in 1998, the Standard is now in its seventh issue and is well-established globally. It has evolved with input from many leading global specifiers.

It provides a framework to manage product safety, integrity, legality and quality, and the operational controls for these criteria in the food and food ingredient manufacturing, processing and packing industry.