The inner workings of Baker Labels

Baker Labels bought its first digital press in 2006. The company has remained loyal to HP Indigo ever since and now has three, two WS6900s and a 6K that was installed last year. There are also two Screen L350 UV inkjet presses, one able to handle low migration inks, and a Nilpeter FB3 flexo machine that handles awkward jobs like peel and reveal, multilayered labels and other hybrid work.

There is also a Ricoh 7200X and large format Roland Soljet, just in case a customer needs a banner or two, but more for the Sportstiks business that provides numbers for running vests for athletics events. And there is the materials supply business that stocks 450 substrates useful to label printers and which Baker cuts down from wider rolls. Both ventures are typical of a business that tends to say why not rather than why.

Digicons abound, Baker having worked with AB Graphics from before the days it became ABG, as well as the Digicon 3s and Digicon used for embellishing the pouches, there is a Digicon upstairs used exclusively for training.

Again this is typical of the business. Baker likes to invest in its people and is rewarded with loyalty and a commitment to the business that means that Baker and sons Tom and Harry are not the only family members working in the company.

This plays out in training available across the business for those that want to gain additional skills. There is also an industry leading commitment to well being. Baker has what amounts to  a consulting room where staff are able to meet a healthcare professional to talk though the sort of issues at home, or work, that affect well being and which in turn affect performance. It is hard to give 100% to the job if your mind is elsewhere.

This has earned the business certification at level 3 workplace wellbeing from Essex Working Well and the gratitude of an unrecorded number of staff. On the physical health side, the company has a fully kitted out gym available to staff in a separate building on site. There is also Roy’s, a large social space where quiz nights, pool and darts tournaments might take place. Flat panel screens around the factory advertise upcoming events as well as communicate with staff. Roy’s is also where a partner like HP can make presentations, at least until a dedicated seminar room is completed. This will also home to the Bakers Academy for training apprentices and other levels of staff.

Beyond the four walls, the company has committed to dedicate a fixed percentage of profits to charity via the recently created Bakers Foundation. This meant that £150,000 was shared among a number of mostly community charities in the Brentwood area. 

The company has been in Brentwood since 2011, occupying first one unit and gradually adding a neighbouring unit by unit until has more than doubled floor space, and staff levels, since its move from Walthamstow. Only the tyre and exhaust centre now sits in the way.