In a collaborative push to safeguard the UK’s bakery supply chain, Bakers Basco has ramped up its education efforts with front-line delivery drivers through the nationwide rollout of its ‘Who is Basco?’ field intelligence sessions, exclusively at Warburtons locations across the UK.
Over the past months, Bakers Basco has conducted sessions with 352 drivers at 14 Warburtons sites, including the Eurocentral depot in Scotland, which had not previously participated. The interactive sessions, replacing traditional briefings, provide drivers with essential insights into Bakers Basco’s mission and equip them with the knowledge to spot and report equipment misuse.
These sessions are rallying drivers to take the front line in combating equipment theft and misuse – just in time for the bustling holiday season. By empowering drivers with critical knowledge, Bakers Basco is creating a ripple effect that will secure essential bakery assets, ensuring smoother deliveries and more efficient operations as demand ramps up.
During the sessions, drivers were encouraged to share observations from their routes, resulting in 91 actionable leads covering issues like equipment misuse, improper handling practices, and theft reports across the Midlands.
“Our briefings have been instrumental in connecting directly with drivers, empowering them as vital partners in our recovery efforts,” said Stacey Brown, National Investigations Manager at Bakers Basco. “By engaging them on the ground, we’ve been able to identify misuse and theft hotspots, taking immediate action to protect our equipment pool and support Warburtons in ensuring the smooth delivery of bakery goods.”
Garry Brown, Equipment Utensils Planning Manager, at Warburtons also praised the initiative’s impact: “This collaboration with Bakers Basco has been invaluable. Not only have these sessions educated our drivers on identifying equipment issues, but they’ve also instilled a stronger sense of responsibility and vigilance among our team. We’re proud to partner with Bakers Basco in this effort to secure and streamline our operations. Thanks to everyone concerned for all your time spent going around Warburtons sites. This helps in raising awareness and shows sites the importance of our working relationship with Basco”
Bakers Basco’s commitment to addressing industry challenges is evident as the organisation continues to refine its approach, incorporating driver feedback into future presentations to foster ongoing engagement. This year’s campaign has strengthened industry collaboration, helping to mitigate disruptions in the bakery supply chain and contributing to a more sustainable and cost-effective system for transporting goods.
For any instances of equipment misuse or to report suspicious activities, please contact Bakers Basco’s dedicated recovery hotline