Kendal-based meat wholesaler, Todds, specialise in processing and selling high-quality meat to butchers and are particularly well-known for their bacon. Todds were recently awarded grant funding from Cumbria Business Growth Hub to develop their operation. We caught up with them to see how grant has impacted the business…
Run by Paul Hevey alongside his sons-in-law Andy and Joe and daughters Victoria and Georgia, Todds has seen significant growth since Paul bought out his business partner two years ago. This is partly driven by sales and marketing efforts and leveraging social media. In just one year, Todds’ meat processing volume has increased two-fold and they consistently sell out of stock each week.
Todds applied to Cumbria Business Growth Hub for grant funding to deal with two specific operational challenges brought on by the business growth:
After working on their application with business adviser Adrian Luckham, Todds were awarded a grant of £4,787.89 supported by the Rural England Prosperity Fund, provided through Westmorland & Furness Council. This investment provided 50% of the cost of two key purchases: a thermal printer and a loading canopy.
Investment 1: Thermal Printer
One of the biggest bottlenecks in Todds’ operation was their order processing system. Previously, two employees worked on a single printer and set of scales, leading to delays. With the grant, Todds invested in a new thermal printer, which has significantly improved efficiency by allowing two operators to work simultaneously. Paul explains: “In theory, with the new printer, we're getting the orders done twice as quick. We're getting more orders put through and we can take more orders as a result. We can now also print labels with our logo on which can be stuck onto boxes to increase brand awareness.”
Investment 2: Loading Canopy
With more deliveries of meat coming into the yard, a significant challenge was a lack of storage. Previously, to protect the stock from the sun, rain and snow, staff would have to rush deliveries into the warehouse, creating inefficiencies. To solve this issue, Todds installed a loading canopy connecting the warehouse to outdoor fridges. Incoming deliveries can now be stored under the canopy before being organised and moved into fridges.
Paul adds: “Previously, when the sun was shining or the rain was pouring, we’d have to get the meat straight into the fridge. Now, we can organise it under the canopy first before taking it to the fridge for storage. Having more organised stock has a knock-on improvement in efficiency across the whole business. The canopy also provides a better working environment for our staff, who are able to work sheltered from the elements.”
Impact on the business
The investment in new equipment has significantly enhanced Todds' efficiency at either end of their process. They’re better equipped to handle deliveries as they come in and can also process outgoing deliveries more quickly. With increased efficiency, Todds is planning to hire up to four additional employees to support business growth.
Lesley Robinson, Head of Business Support at Cumbria Chamber of Commerce said:
“Case studies like this show how a modest amount of funding, can make a huge difference to a business like Todds. Business owners know exactly what they need to move their business forward and grant funding empowers them to do just that, increasing output and creating employment for local people. Anyone looking to apply for a grant to invest in their business can find out what’s available via: cumbriagrowthhub.co.uk/grow-your-business/search-grants-and-funding”
