One of the nation’s largest privately-owned baking companies, Original Foods Baking Co celebrated its 25th birthday in style with the official opening of the new $10 million manufacturing facility.
The wholesale baked goods company was established in Christchurch in 1991 and produces over 90 sweet treats including cakes, donuts, muffins, brownies, and slices sold under the Original Foods Baking Co, Goofy, Bite Me, and generic supermarket brands.
Prime Minister, Rt Hon John Key, officially opened the state-of-the-art 2,800m2 factory alongside Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel and OFBC’s founders Jane Mayell and Mike Sproule.
Guests at the official opening included multi-national customers, suppliers, trade officials and employees with attendees treated to a ‘Design Your Own Donut’ bar, jazz music and tables laden with OFBC baked goods.
The opening of OFBC’s new factory will allow it to significantly increase its production output to cater for its expanding national and international customer base.
The multi-award winning and family owned business bakes thousands of donuts, birthday cakes, slices and muffins each week, that are not only enjoyed throughout New Zealand and the South Pacific but also in the skies.
“Over 25 years we have grown the business from a three-person operation to over 80 full-time-equivalent staff and now export our products throughout the South Pacific including Samoa, Cook Islands and Australia. We also hope to announce a new contract with a major supermarket chain in Australia very soon,” said owner Jane Mayell.
Mayor Lianne Dalziel said OFBC was a great example of a successful company that had not only brought significant economic opportunities to the region but had continued to support the local community.
“Following the Canterbury earthquakes Original Foods Baking Co, produced a red velvet cake known as ‘A Cake for Canterbury’. For every cake sold, a donation was made to enhance the parks and recreation areas of the region. Red velvet cake sales are now supporting the ‘Countdown Kids Foundation’, where $1 from each cake sold goes to the appeal,” said Dalziel.
Drilling down to OFBC’s longevity, success and growing demand around the world, Mayell said that one of the company’s secret weapons was its use of fresh, local ingredients wherever possible including 100 percent New Zealand butter, cream, milk, cream cheese, fresh eggs, chocolate and freshly squeezed lemon juice.
“We are passionate about supporting local growers and farmers and continuing to promote our products to the world, which in turn supports employment, tourism, and growth. Enjoying a freshly baked, sweet treat is one of life’s simple pleasures and we hope to continue to create those experiences for our customers for the next 25 years and beyond,” said Mayell.
