THE HISTORY OF BAKER PERKINS BCS LTD

One of the three separate companies formed in April 1985 as part of the final act of Baker Perkins Ltd. Peterborough’s divisionalisation programme, Baker Perkins BCS Ltd, together with Werner Lehara Inc, Grand Rapids, USA, served the international biscuit, confectionery and snack food machinery markets with Paul Parkinson as managing director.

Following from the establishment of the new BCS company, one of the main manufacturing objectives was the setting-up of dedicated production facilities for components for BCS needs. The familiar cell structure continued but with cells designed specifically for BCS. New machine tools were purchased to meet the specific requirements of the product range. These included the latest computer numerically controlled (CNC) machines. The old plate shop was divided into two sections – P3 bay housed the new machine shop and P2 bay the fabrication shop. Each shop covered 20,000 square feet and employed around 100 people. The emphasis was on low batch production and high speed setting of machine tools with automatic tool changing and automatic pallet loading utilised to the full. Ovens and coolers continued to be made at Bedewell (see History of Bedewell).

In order to improve and develop the range and effectiveness of the installation, commissioning and after-sales services offered to biscuit machinery customers a new Customer Services Department was created in January 1987, managed by Ray Lydiard. Plant installation and commissioning activities was transferred from the existing Field Engineering operation (See also The Outdoor Men). The Customer Services Department were also responsible for the supply and distribution of recommended and replacement spare parts.

See History of Baker Perkins Ltd.
History of Baker Perkins in the Biscuit Business

To Be Continued