Purity Bakeries 50th Anniversary by Nation Publishing Co. Limited

24-PAGE FEATURE SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2015.

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“FIRST OF ALL, it’s important to say thank you to all of you our customers for your patronage,” said Andy Hope, general manager of Purity Bakeries, as he reflected on the 85th anniversary of a company that has been so much a part of the Barbadian community for so very long. The world moves quickly and times change even faster than ever now that we’ve reached the 21st century and it is a huge reflection on the type of business a company offers when it can last as long as Purity Bakeries has while still offering the excellence of service and product quality for which it is known. Steeped in Barbadian history, Purity has been a marked stalwart in the lives of so many Barbadians and Barbadian businesses for nearly a century and a large part of that comes from devotion to customers and consumers. Hope has been the general manager of Purity Bakeries since 1997. Over his 18 years with the company, he has been a link in the chain that provides necessities and little luxuries to the island of Barbados through Purity’s wide range of baked goods. With over 200 employees, Purity Bakeries is a powerhouse that not only serves up some of the finest baked goods to be found but contributes to the welfare and development of the island itself. “A lot of our staff have made a career out of working at Purity,” Hope said. “Particularly the older guys, many of them have been here all their working life. One point I have to make is that to survive for 85 years, there has to be a team that functions cohesively for an extended period of time, 85 years is a long time by any measure for a team to be successful,” he added. “The span of time shows that teamwork has a large bearing on the extent to which people can be dedicated to one single goal,” Hope said. As a team, Purity doesn’t just strive to give all it can to its customers but to create an environment where the staff members function in unity. Internally, the company supports several staff competitions such as road tennis and other teamoriented activities that help to solidify the glue that holds the company together. “The winners of our tournaments have some significant bragging rights. We also have dominoes periodically and that resonates quite well through the company,” Hope added. He continued: “We do operate seven days a week, so getting two or four teams together for sports such as cricket is a challenge. We used to have our own health walk but this year we coordinated with ICBL to be a part of their walk and we’ll probably do that again next year if they’ll have us.” Over 85 years, Purity has immersed itself in the lives and culture of the island of Barbados. Suppliers, retailers, and customers across the island have pretty much all been a part of the journey of Purity Bakeries over the better part of the last century. “We’ve been working with Barbados Mills from the time that they started operations in Barbados. We have maintained that relationship and one of the main benefits is that we can buy flour in bulk from them as opposed to bag flour. They have been good suppliers and responsive to our needs. They help us to offer a better product.” “Lesaffre, in France, provides our Fermipan yeast. Naza Trading and ADL International in the US and Puratos in Canada are all companies with whom we’ve enjoyed long and mutually beneficial relationships. We have an enduring relationship with both Chemelco in the Netherlands and Czarnikow in London. There are several local suppliers with whom we do business, Hanschell Inniss, SBI, Firgos and Sundale Trading are but a few. We prefer to work with suppliers over a long period of time and develop good relationships. Good service is not just something that we create; it is dependent on our supply chain relationships. It’s part of the whole chain of consumer satisfaction.” Hope continued: “We’d like to extend a special thanks to all our staff and our suppliers that have been and

continue to be strong links in the chain of providing the services and products that have helped make Purity Bakeries what it is today and will take us many years into the future.”

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WHEN IT COMES to a company that provides a product that has become so ingrained in the lives of an island and its culture, it’s easy to see why this company has lasted for 85 years. More than just the internal workings that create the cakes, pastries, breads, and all the other goodies that Purity Bakeries has provided for years, the loyalty of customers is one of the marks that sets a company up as one of the greats. Andy Hope made sure to mention, “we find tremendous customer loyalty in every sphere in which we do business; in our bakery retail shop the many families who come faithfully every Sunday afternoon to get the freshest turnovers, jam puffs and meat rolls to take home for supper. In the hotel and restaurant sector the numerous establishments who have been with us from inception, some for what seems like forever with names like Champers, Zacchios and more recently, Burger King springing to mind. The institutions, with which we enjoy strong cooperative partnerships, include the School Meals Service and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. The wholesalers, who buy our products and ply their trade in the highways and byways of our great nation. The shop operators, fixtures in their own communities, who loyally carry our product lines, including Arley’s in St Lucy and Roy Smith in Silver Sands. The larger retailers, who daily provide us with an entry point to the consumer from their shelves, including A1 Supermarkets, Popular Discount, Jordans, Pricesmart, Eddie’s in Speightstown, SOL, Esso, Rubis, Cost-U-Less and of course Massy Stores with whom we have fostered a strong and multi-dimensional partnership. These customers continue to be loyal to Purity and we appreciate it.” “We have learnt a great deal through working with our customers” he continued, “Burger King for example, their management is extremely quality focused and approval to supply comes through rigorous inspections, testing and certification, standards that

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ANDERSON HOPE, general manager. (RC) Purity more than met. This relationship with an international franchise has strengthened our focus on continuous improvement”. “We also supply some products to KFC, one of their new deals contains a slice of our signature Great Cake just in time for the holidays,” Hope said. “The Purity Shoppe, has been around almost as long as the Purity building here on Collymore Rock. Primarily it is a convenience for customers and to soften the image of being an industrial bakery we also find it to be very useful in providing an opportunity to introduce products on a test

The Executive Council of 7KH %DUEDGRV :RUNHUV· 8QLRQ congratulates the Management and Staff of Purity Bakeries for being a welcome guest at Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner for the past 85 years.

Congratulations

basis. Occasionally, we’ll have items on our shelves here that you wouldn’t yet find in the other retail shops as we gauge the acceptance of new products by the consumer.” “We have a philosophy on continuous training, not only in terms of operating equipment but more especially in customer service. We did a programme a few years ago with May Hinds Consulting in an effort to raise the quality of our customer service and we have ongoing programmes covering both food as well as fire safety. Health and safety are critical to us. Excellence is not a destination it is a journey, we are convinced that excellence in customer service will pave the way for another 85 years in business.” “We also work with entities that are seeking to work towards the betterment of the less fortunate. To name just a few, the Red Cross, the YWCA schoolchildren’s feeding programme, Verdun House, because we think they are critical to preserving the social fabric of the island. They provide a safety net for people and we think the private sector needs to step in to give assistance in these circumstances where they can. “As I reflect on the years, the good as well as the difficult times, it is clear to me

that there would be no Purity Bakeries without its customers. You are the reason that we exist and we always bear that in mind. Your growth is our growth and we commit to making each experience you have with us a memorable one. Thank you for your business and loyalty over the years. We hope that in the future we can support you even more by operating to the standards of service and quality you have come to expect. “ “As a part of Goddard Enterprises Limited, Purity Bakeries embraces the mission and vision of our parent company.” “To our consumers, I would like you all to know that we value your business and the relationship that you have enjoyed with our brands over the years. We are aware that you have options, but choose Purity, Wonder or Sunshine. You can count on us to continue to strive to meet and exceed your expectations each and every day. Thank you for your loyalty, without you none of this would be possible. ” “We look forward to the future with optimism as we position our company for further growth both locally and internationally and look forward to being of continued service to you.”

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Excerpt from Cecilia Karch Brathwaite’s from A History Of Goddard Enterprises Limited IN THE FIRST quarter of the 20th century, when J. N. Goddard & Sons launched their enterprise, there were well over 50 bakeries in the Bridgetown environs and many more scattered around the countryside. Johnson & Redman was one of the largest. Formed by Charles Johnson and Rupert Redman in 1907, Johnson & Redman, pastry and cake makers, were well known as their bakery carts went throughout the town and its suburbs selling bread and pastries. Initially, these carts were pulled by men, later they were hitched to horses and donkeys. Working in a bakery was oppressive. The bakers worked long hours, overnight, in the heat and under very primitive conditions. Many bakery owners locked their bakers in at night, ostensibly to prevent stealing. Bakery employees were a segment of the artisan working class that would be the vanguard of union building efforts after 1937. The first “new” Johnson & Redman [J&R] bakery was constructed in 1948. The architect for the new bakery was Tony Lewis. However, with the rapid changes

occurring between the late 1940s and the 1960s, it was determined that a large new site had to be found to set up a modern bakery that could feed a high percentage of the population. To that end, Goddard’s went into business with Purity Bakeries to build a modern bakery on the site of the old Federal High School in Collymore Rock. As in other ventures the Goddard’s went into, they sought to be on the cutting edge of the industry. They approached Corporate Foods of Toronto, Canada, owners of the Canada Bread Company, offering to sell them 1/3 of the shares in exchange for their expertise, knowledge of new production methods and machinery. Prior to this, Goddard’s owned half of the shares and Purity the other half. Fred Goddard was appointed joint managing director and later chairman. Mr Al Knight, a Barbadian, was recruited from Corporate Foods in Canada as the general manager in 1970. In 1970, the J&R and the old Purity buildings on Roebuck Street were sold, which provided finance for increased capital investment in plant and machinery in order to keep abreast of the changes occurring in this industry. There would be significant renovations in plant and JOHNSON AND REDMAN BAKERY in Roebuck Street.

Nurturing our Nation The Barbados Agricultural Development & Marketing Corporation is proud to partner with Purity Bakeries as it celebrates 85 years of innovation, industry and achievement.

(GP)

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• From Page 4. machinery in the 1970s. Barbados is still a small island but in those early days, the customer, principally a pedestrian, bought bread on a daily basis. The market allowed for numerous bakeries to exist in Bridgetown, and score scattered throughout the island. However, the many changes in the post-Independence period – the mobility of the consumer, the large number of supermarkets throughout the country, the longer shelf life of baked products, the growth in refrigerators and freezers – in addition to the technology of bread making which allowed for far higher volume on a daily basis than could have been imagined 20 years earlier, all spelt the end of the small bakery and also even of large operations. The market of Barbados could not support several large bakeries. Concerned about the profitability of Purity Bakeries, management began discussing the options available to them in terms of the Group’s investment in the baking industry. In August 1985, a small committee began discussion with the directors of Wonder Bakeries to explore possibilities of either a merger or a takeover. The directors of Wonder were not interested in a merger and so indicated to Goddard’s that they would consider an offer for cash or cash and shares.

Discussions did not go well initially, Goddard’s considered the price asked to be too high and began to re-explore what needed to be done to restore Purity to profitability. They leaned to finding a new site and expanding the operations considerably. This line of thinking continued for the rest of 1985. In December of that year, Goddard’s received a surprise when the directors of Wonder Bakeries approached them and indicated that they would be interested in acquiring Purity Bakeries. Taken aback as they had never considered that option, they argued the need for thorough discussion within the Group and promised to get back to Wonder in the new year. Goddard’s told them that they would indicate if they were not interested in their proposal or if they were, they would advise them of the valuation placed on Purity’s shares, or that Goddard’s might once again make an offer for Wonder. It was felt that the Directors of Wonder might also consider a merger and they also wanted to leave the door open on that option. Discussions went back and forth throughout 1986 and finally, in November, the directors of Wonder Bakeries agreed to a buyout and that Goddard Enterprises would acquire all the shares of Wonder Bakeries Ltd.

sales@pascargobdos.com www.pascargousa.com

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WHEN IT COMES to a company lasting as long as Purity Bakeries has, it means that it has become a part of the community. Any business worth its salt, bread in this case, takes an interest in the goings on of the community that helps it to thrive. Being an 85-year stalwart in the Barbadian community, Purity is always looking towards offering aid where it can. More than just community outreach, sponsored walks and runs, and simply offering excellent service, Purity also keeps in mind the needs of its customers. Part of the reason for their cassava blend products is just that- to offer a wider arm of inclusion to the general public with options to suit all needs. “We’ve done replacement of flour with cassava,” said Christopher Symmonds, Sales and Distribution Manager of Purity Bakeries, “for people who are big on the nutritional advantages of cassava and the fact that it’s local and supports farmers in the island. It’s also for those people who have decided that they want to reduce the gluten in their diet.” The truth of the matter is that gluten is very good for you, unless you suffer from celiac disease which is an autoimmune disorder. The population percentage that suffers from celiac, worldwide, is a mere 1.8 perc ent. However, like the vegan craze, many people have decided to reduce their gluten intake. Our Cassava blended loaves address this need. Paradoxically, most of the people who reach for gluten-free products don’t have celiac disease or even sensitivity to wheat, Peter H.R. Green, MD, director of the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia

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PURITY BAKERIES has been creating avenues for local farmers to get some of their produce like cassava sold. (FP)

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THE YOUNG WOMEN’S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION breakfast clubs has been supported by Purity. (FP)

• From Page 6. University, told WebMD. “The market for gluten-free products is exploding. Why exactly we don’t know. Many people may just perceive that a gluten-free diet is healthier.” In fact, it isn’t. For people with celiac disease, a gluten-free diet is essential. But for others, “unless people are very careful, a glutenfree diet can lack vitamins, minerals, and fibre,” said Green. Christopher Symmonds went on to mention that, “A lot of the gyms that work very closely with us, the health and personal trainers, have been endorsing some of our products from our Wonder brand, like our whole

grain and twelve grain loaves. We’re even doing sampling in some of the gyms which was previously unheard of. We’re also now seeing that this gluten-free trend is beginning to taper back, as increasingly people are coming to the realization that it’s not terribly useful unless you have celiac disease.” “For us, the cassava vision and project is a dynamic journey. It’s gradually developing the agricultural sector in Barbados. We’re doing this in partnership with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization and the BADMC. We’re encouraging farmers to plant cassava while

providing them with a mature commercial avenue for the sale of this crop,” added Symmonds. The Barbados model is going to be used as a guide for development in the Caribbean as a whole. Currently, Purity produces a bran cassava sandwich and a white cassava sandwich. It’s a blend of normal bread with cassava incorporated. There’s a very high replacement factor of bread flour with fresh grated cassava. Soon, these products will be emerging from the Purity Shoppe and entering into the larger retail market. Beyond supporting local farmers and accommodating

trends in diet as well as those who actually do have celiac disease, Purity Bakeries is also major contributor to a range of organisations whose work in the community would be hampered without the efforts of Purity. From the Barbados Red Cross Society to the YWCA’s breakfast programme, which feeds about a 1 000 children every day, to the HIV food bank and drug rehabilitation programmes and other smaller organisations and individuals , Purity is keeping the ball rolling in helping to feed those in need. “Obviously, we cannot literally feed the whole nation through

Website: www.readymixbarbados.com

donations but there is a significant amount of help that we offer. For example, we play a role in schools, partnering PTA’s with assistance to facilitate their fairs and other fundraising efforts. We typically give a little twice: we’ll give product and then we’ll give a discount on anything we cannot donate,” said Symmonds. “It’s just how we try to reinvest in the community,” he continued. “I believe it’s Ecclesiastes that says ‘Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days. Give a portion to seven, and also to eight.’”

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IT HAS ALWAYS been said that the Sales team is the “special set” at Purity Bakeries. That’s because we are. We are the link between a product and a sale, expenditure and profit or if you’d prefer simple terms, money out and money in. There are many facets to being a salesperson and it is not for the faint of heart. By becoming a member of this team, you’ve agreed to not just “pack bread”, you have essentially agreed to be the face of the company, the point of contact, the sounding board, the customer’s voice, and in some cases the punching bag. What many people don’t grasp is that when the company faces challenges, technical, quality or otherwise, this team of individuals are at the forefront of the onslaught of public displeasure. We face the customer, absorb the displeasure and try to placate with assurances that this instance was “an anomaly, not the norm”. We do it with grace, knowing full well that

the customer is our lifeline and without them we are nothing. Our merchandisers, sales and order clerks are relationship builders. We are marketers, quality controllers, order takers and delivery men rolled into one. Our days are not routine by any measure. Many of us traverse Barbados and meet customers daily, constantly trying to find another means by which to make a sale. Purity has always been a leader in the Bakery industry in Barbados, we are constantly trying to outdo ourselves in new and creative ways which thrill customers. We have succeeded in becoming integral cogs in the machinery that drives many businesses in Barbados. By extending ourselves past normal working hours, going until the task is completed and sacrificing our personal time to our customers, we have attempted to make Purity Bakeries synonymous with quality and reliability.

THE SALES TEAM will ensure you get value for every purchase. (RC) Don’t be fooled, it is not always a bed of roses within the team. We have our individual issues but we, as any family, work through them because we know the importance of our contribution. Our efforts drive sales. Our eagle eyes, sharp memories and

high standards ensure the customer receives a quality product. Our professional manner and exemplary interpersonal skills give rise to customer satisfaction and confidence. Finally, when called upon we will literally deliver the product ourselves. Throughout

the team, we can say with authority “yea, I delivered the bread”, shrug and keep it moving. We are the messengers of the company, literally and figuratively. The versatility of this group of people is not finite, we do what needs to be done. We are the special set. We are the glue.

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EXCELLENT CUSTOMER service from cashiers is the norm at Purity.

MY TEAM, or family I should say, represents the new and improved version of the Titanic, taking hits but never going down. Talk about sibling rivalry as well, we have it. More blows are thrown to your face and behind your back than a boxerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fight, and freezing out when angry is colder than ice; however when the time comes, we are more together than glue. This is one of the reasons my cashier family is the glue that holds Purity Bakeries together. One could call us the front line. In many cases before a customer can interact with anyone from management, production or the distribution staff (shippers), they interact with us. We have become in our day-to-

(RC)

day transactions versed in handling crisis and complaints. Customers come in disgruntled and many times, by the time the supervisor arrives to speak to them, they are laughing and calm from speaking with a cashier. Our service is so good with the many walk-in customers that we have that it encourages them to return and some come every day. Many customers and cashiers have created such a rapport that many of them feel like family. Cashiers also deal with call-in customers from our wide daily delivery schedule and this sometimes happens more over the phone than in person and the service does not change.

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• From Page 9. Care is given to their complaints and every effort is made to rectify their problems or assist in any request. Many times cashiers go as far as speaking to the production team directly in an effort to ensure a customer receives a request. At the end of the day our highest priority is always to make sure that wherever we are, or whatever we do the customer is being served. On the flip side that is not seen by customers as we help Purity to run day to day through the processing of bills and credits daily so that customers may be provided with accurate totals and credit from returns wherever possible. Errors in this same area are met with the utmost importance as rectifying them to alleviate any stress caused to the customer is paramount. We are also responsible for the reconciliation of daily cash which is important to the company’s bottom line. Cashiers also provide coverage for any member of our team who is unable to attend their duty of the day. Purity Bakeries has never failed to open for a lack of a cashier. Even when we are called upon to work a two-person shift alone, we still function. When it comes to team work you can find that sometimes cashiers even step

A n n iv er sa r y OUR TEAM of Shippers comprises 21 members and though we are one of the largest teams in Purity Bakeries, we are also one of the closest knit, generating the most synergy working together to fulfil a vital role of receiving product, evaluating quality and allocating appropriately to every customer of our bakery. We are the glue that holds the bakery together, because we interact with every customer facing area, retail, wholesale and distribution literally touching every product that goes to every consumer across the nation. We are the middle man and the bridge between our bakery and the consuming public we love so much. THE SHIPPING TEAM has you covered. (RC) We also solve many issues for customers. Particularly in our sturdy stuff and that’s shown in the differences very quickly ensuring Wholesale and Retail operations, patient manner in which we face our these don’t affect customer through direct interaction, we internal challenges, whether those be expectations. After all, we understand what customers’ peculiar manpower due to illness or product understand that both internal needs and concerns are and are better customers such as drivers and availability due to delays, we set able to improve the shopping about our tasks with the goal in merchandisers and external experience. mind, partnering with each other and customers such as hotels, We love this business, it’s a home showing that we have the ability to restaurants, retailers and consumers away from home and in many ways a create significant synergies through rely on us every day. This is why we family. Indeed for those of us fortunate are determined to give 100 per cent, the Shipper team. to have served in Purity for many Indeed, while we may be a team even on days when we don’t feel like years, the majority of friendships we of 21 people working in multiple 100 per cent, we still make that have developed in these years, have areas, we can and do function as a effort. This is our main breadwinner been with colleagues who have served and we are clear that we wish to single efficient and focused body, here as well. delivering value to internal and give back to the company that has Like every family, we have our external customers everyday. given to us. differences, but we sort our internal We are the glue that’s made of

out beyond their roles, they have been known to help the shippers, drivers, supervisors, administration, finance, production, and anyone who they believe that they have the ability or knowledge in the area they will assist. Cashiers have been known to break down a route, assist customers in wholesale with their orders, delivering bread, wrap product for a waiting customer and the list goes on. Cashier resolve is strong and that is why Purity has such a good team. In the face of challenging encounters, with difficult customers, cashiers keep their composure and still try to assist these customers. Amid some of these hostile encounters with customers cashiers keep their composure and still try to assist those customers. Cashiers are patient and caring as many times we may be presented with call in customers who are not so familiar with the correct names of the products (like many Bajans like to call it currant slice and we brand it raisin slice) however, we assist and take the time to go through with them ensuring they come out with the correct order. These are just some of the many reasons we are the glue that holds Purity Bakeries together.

ongratulations to

nniversary

Best wishes for continued progress and success nichollsbakery@gmail.com

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What’s Christmas without Purity? THIS YEAR, get the real taste of Christmas with Purity Bakeries’ range of delicious baked goodness that we have all come to know and love. Christmas morning is not complete without a fresh slice of our coconut bread, accompanied by our world famous great cake. Of course, a slice of any of our light, delicious puddings won’t slow you down when you open your gifts. We wish you a truly blessed Christmas. Whether with friends, family or creating memories from that office function, Purity Bakeries is your baker of all things Christmas. Don’t miss out on our delicious Christmas Fruit ’N Nut Loaf made with generous portions of Same Great Cake, brand new packaging raisins, red and green cherries along with other ingredients used PURITY BAKERIES’ Traditional Style Great Cake will in our secret Christmas recipe. be available in the fresh new packaging pictured above Make it a traditional Bajan for Christmas. Christmas with Purity. Look out for the newly branded Barbados Great Cake at your favourite retailer soon.

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Cassava range of products

The holiday spirit with Purity

Mighty tasty minis

PURITY MINIS COCKTAIL PASTRIES – “home-baked is back”. Available soon from major supermarkets, Purity Minis cater to consumers who desire the convenience of easy freezer to oven preparation. Sold in both savoury, and sweet variety packs, they feature a delightful combination of Purity’s traditional pastry range, miniaturised for entertainment time, snack time, and me time. Special orders for freshly baked or frozen for Bake-off Purity Minis can be placed with Purity Bakeries at 426-bake, 426(2253).

Craving just desserts

Symmonds continued. More than adorning your table with decadent desserts, Purity is getting into the spirit of giving with this promotion for the season. The Christmas Fruit ’n Nut Loaf has the traditional red and green cherries, raisins, but instead of actual nuts, Purity has essences that are non-allergens to cater to, and include in Christmas, people with nut allergies.

PURITY HAS DEVELOPED a wider product range, which is both exciting and delicious. Purity Cravings premium desserts – “because you deserve it” – are available from major Sol automarts and the Purity Bread & Pastry Shoppe. Catering to consumers who crave that delicious occasional treat, Purity Cravings are made in four main flavours: coconut vanilla, devil’s food chocolate, coffee, and carrot, served as individual wedges. Special orders for ready-to-slice Cravings round cakes can be placed with Purity Bakeries at 426-cake, 426(2253). SAMPLING Purity Cravings at the Sol Shop in Wildey, St Michael. (GP)

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“WE’VE CREATED what is known as the Christmas Fruit ’n Nut Loaf and we’ve just started marketing it,” said Sales and Distribution Manager of Purity Bakeries, Christopher Symmonds. “And we’re running a competition to support it during the course of Christmas. “Persons who purchase the product have the chance to win a tablet computer. The drawing for the seven-inch Samsung tablet will be on the December 28,”

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O N FECTION C

would like to congratulate:

Purity Bakeries

85 on their

i v e

– ‘helping Bajans eat right while supporting local farmers’ PURITY BAKERIES in collaboration, with the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization and the Barbados Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation has developed, formulated and introduced an exciting new loaf, using fresh grated cassava blended meticulously into our Junior Bran and white sandwich loaves. These loaves have all the natural goodness of cassava. This dynamic project is gradually developing the agricultural sector in Barbados, encouraging farmers to plant cassava while providing a mature commercial avenue for the sale of this crop. Additionally, the Barbados model will be used as a guide for cassava development in the Caribbean region. Ultimately, Purity Bakeries will produce a wide range of cassava blended products such as hamburger buns, hot dog rolls in addition to gluten-free cakes and pastries, including a gluten-free Great Cake. Purchase your loaf today from Purity’s Bread & Pastry Shoppe and coming soon to major supermarkets.

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Cassava range of products

The holiday spirit with Purity

Mighty tasty minis

Craving just desserts

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A n n iv er sa r y

O N FECTION C

would like to congratulate:

Purity Bakeries

85 on their

i v e

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All roads lead to Purity Bread & Pastry Shoppe

OPEN FROM 7 a.m. during the week of Christmas, December 21 – 24, until 4 p.m., the Purity Bread & Pastry Shoppe stands ready to cater to your every need. December 23 and 24 will feature improved customer convenience, with the “under the big tent” retail extension to enable shoppers to make their selections from the vast array of products on offer. Seasonal favourites such as Great Cake loaf and round Great Cakes, nine-inch Bajan puddings in five flavours – plain, fruit, chocolate swirl, marble, and light fruit will be available. In addition, traditional coconut bread, salt bread in white and whole wheat, Purity Fruit ’N Nut Loaf, plus many more Christmas baked essentials can all be found at the Purity Bread & Pastry Shoppe.

They say man shall not live by bread alone... Clearly they did not have Purity Bread.

Congratulations on 85 Years Purity Bakeries From all of us at

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THE QUALITY ASSURANCE department.

(RC)

THE STOREROOM and the Quality Assurance Department, while working together, constitute the glue that holds Purity Bakeries together. The Storeroom is responsible for the management all of the raw materials and supplying the ingredients needed to make every single product produced here at Purity Bakeries. Without the Storeroom to receive the ingredients and to carefully check them before receipt, there would be absolutely no products to be made, hence why the Storeroom is part of the glue that holds Purity Bakeries together. Quality Assurance provides the standards that the raw materials must meet. The Storroom personnel, led by Charles Bynoe as the Storeroom supervisor and comprising of Shaun Rodney, Brian Haywood, Emerson Leacock, St Clair Haynes and Chris Carter, are very detailed and thorough in their work, ensuring that the best ingredients are used when preparing all of our delicious products. This ensures that all raw materials entering the Storeroom are of a high quality and meet the standards set out by the Quality Assurance Department, yielding high-quality products. The Quality Assurance Department is the other part of this glue, because this department creates and manages the formulations that have produced the products made here. These same products have become must-have products in many Barbadian homes over the 80 years Purity Bakeries has been in existence.

The Quality Assurance Department, comprising Roberta Phillipsâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;Sululola as the quality assurance officer, and Keishmar H. Hurdle as the assistant quality assurance officer, updates and adjusts the formulations as necessary, to ensure that Barbadians enjoy the same great traditional taste while maintaining the quality of the products made at Purity Bakeries. The Storeroom personnel and the Quality Assurance Department have worked closely together in the research and development functions of the company. This has often led to the production of new and exciting products, which have been readily enjoyed by the Barbadian public. Some of these products include the Purity New York-style bagels and the cassava blended loaves, cassava great cake and many more. The Storeroom sources new and exciting ingredients with high quality and these are often incorporated into the existing product formulations, if not allowing for research into more new and exciting products to put on the market, keep Purity Bakeries the No. 1 bakery in Barbados, help it to live up to its motto To be the preferred suppliers of bakery products in the CARICOM area for the last 85 years, and will continue to do so for many more years to come. The Quality Assurance Department and the Storeroom continuously work together to ensure that fresh products of the highest quality are provided all across Barbados for thousands to enjoy daily. It is the repeated satisfaction of our customers to Purity Bakeriesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; products that has given us worldwide recognition as a company producing the highest quality products, and it is because of the meticulous work of the Storeroom and Quality Assurance departments.

16. SUNDAY SUN SPECIAL

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A n n iv er sa r y

(RC)

THE CLEANING TEAM is the most vital team at Purity, we are the backbone. The word and title alone speaks for itself. We are talking clean, fresh, sanitised, pure, and ready for business. Yes we are responsible for the hygiene, sanitation, and appearance of the entire business. We clean every area of the plant, the internal and external surroundings, plus equipment like the trays on which all Purity products are stored. All trays are sanitised as they come into the bakery before being used by production to place fresh product prior to that product going out to consumers across the nation. For us, there is an obvious marriage and bond between the name Purity, the role which we play in keeping the business clean, and the excellence of product which the company produces. Purityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s strong health and safety record is no accident. We guard it every day and the company's reputation drives

the systematic approach of our cleaning team. We can't imagine a company like ours without a backbone. We are crucial to our company and without us, the high standards and reputation for health and safety which also coincides with the name Purity would not be as high as they are. As a team, we would not be comfortable purchasing from an establishment that has questionable health and safety practices, so we take immense pride in executing our role to the highest possible standard. There is no question that we are the team which forms the glue which holds Purity together, even when we fall short of one expectation or another, we are a team and pull together to achieve the goals set by our supervsiors. Regardless of the challenges, difficulty, illness, short-staffed and the periodic breakdowns in communication, we still come out clean, pure, and stronger than before.

DECEMBER 13, 2015

SUNDAY SUN SPECIAL. 17 the products maintain high quality each and every day they are produced. The Wrapping Department is committed to ensuring that only the best products are wrapped and sent out to our internal and external customers, rejecting any bad products that do not reach the high-quality standards that we work with. Our finishing touches can be seen on any wrapped product; the visual appeal that each product has is as a result of us. As a department, we are very dedicated to our work, working overtime as needed to ensure that all of the products are

A n n iv er sa r y

THE WRAPPING DEPARTMENT is one of the most, if not the most important teams in Purity Bakeries, which keeps the company together. This team is responsible for wrapping every single product that is to be sold by Purity Bakeries, this includes all of our products from the Wonder, Purity and Sunshine brands. Whether the product is sold at the Wholesale area, sent to the Distribution Department and then allocated to different hotels, supermarkets, restaurants, schools, et cetera, or sold in the Bread & Pastry Shoppe, evidence of the Wrapping Department’s hard labour is infallible. Wrapping products is a much specialised skill that over the years, we have become adept at and have adjusted to. We have adapted to a very fast pace while working, often being asked to wrap products and label products at a moment’s notice. We also ensure that the pricing of the products, and the expiration date are both correct, which is one of the first things that customers look for when purchasing products. We also ensure that each product is scanned for any foreign material, protecting the customer from consuming any such products. We wrap tens of thousands of

THAT’S A WRAP: Purity employees putting package to products. (RC)

products on a daily basis, never say “no”, and are always ready and willing to wrap any product needed to be wrapped. We also believe that while we can move and be transferred from one department to the next, no ordinary person can be transferred to our department. Our team is unique and indispensable. Each of the operators in our department is very strong and capable of any task of wrapping any product that needs to be wrapped. Without us, Purity Bakeries would be unable to sell the vast majority of its product. Any product can be baked, but none can be sold without wrapping. We are the bridge linking the Production Department to the Distribution Department. No product can be transferred from Production to Distribution unless it passes through us. We take immense pride in our work, inspecting every product to ensure that

carefully wrapped and are sent off to our Distribution Department to ensure that customers receive our traditional and well-known products. We believe in teamwork, encouraging each other to push through the tiredness to finish the task, and celebrating with each other when we achieve our goals. We are the backbone of Purity Bakeries, ensuring that each product is wrapped and labelled, with correct packaging, pricing and expiration date. Without us, Purity Bakeries would not exist as the great company it stands as right now.

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18. SUNDAY SUN SPECIAL

DECEMBER 13, 2015

A n n iv er sa r y

CAKE AND PASTRY is the essence of Purity Bakeries, we are the most crucial and versatile department in the entire bakery. Our list of accomplishments is longer than the Collymore Rock stretch and we remain proud and committed in ensuring daily targets are meet and exceeded. Although separate departments, some employees are so versatile that they can work in both departments with ease. Cake and Pastry has grown and improved over the last three years, over 20 new products have been established and the increase in sales are a testament to the hard work and dedication which are part and parcel of our department. Without us, many of the Barbadian favourites would never be made, from lunch cakes to meat rolls to turnovers our department meets the cravings of the public with satisfaction. Our recently launched line of Cravings premium cakes has taken the market by storm. Leaving our department to work overtime many evenings to fulfil the orders for these items. This line was a labour of love, as the carrot cake posed so many challenges until the recipe was perfected and approved by our in-house taste panel. Our Cravings cakes get rave reviews from the customers who have tried them and

they have continued to purchase their favourite flavours from major SOL automarts and our Pastry Shoppe. The Pastry team cannot be left out, as our new line of Danish and croissants have met the approval of our Pastry Shoppe customers. These new products have added to the workload, however, but we have met this with resilience and commitment as we always have our customers’ needs before our own. Our teams are often called upon at the last minute to meet a customer’s request and we rise to each and every occasion to ensure there are no disappointed faces leaving our bakery. Special requests are an important aspect of our department and they are always treated as such. We know how important birthday parties, staff functions, picnics or church functions are, so we continuously ensure all orders are made and ready for delivery ahead of time. Without us, Christmastime would not be the same at all. We are the backbone when it comes to producing the much loved Bajan round puddings. In the lead-up to Christmas Day, we sacrifice mornings and nights, working long hours to produce these wonderful cakes, which feature on the dining tables of Barbadians

SKILLED HANDS make the perfect pastry for you. islandwide. Every Christmas finds us the last department to leave the bakery and every year these puddings are sold out. We can never seem to make enough.

(RC)

We epitomise the statement – My team is the glue that holds Purity Bakeries together.

DECEMBER 13, 2015

SUNDAY SUN SPECIAL. 19

A n n iv er sa r y

TECHNICIANS HARD at work behind the scenes.

(RC)

sales@barbadosindustriesltd.com WE THE TECHNICIANS at Purity Bakeries are the power that moves the wheels in this business. We serve many roles, but our principal focus is the lubrication and management of all the systems within the bakery to ensure the smooth running of all equipment. From raw materials to finished goods, flour silos where the flour is pumped at the beginning of our process through to our extensive fleet of trucks which you see every day on the nation’s roads, we are directly involved behind the scenes. In reality we are the endto-end service providers, that keeps the various departments all running smoothly and successfully. We face many challenges every day and when equipment of one kind or another goes down, we are under intense scrutiny and pressure to get it back online. Overcoming the challenges is not always easy, but we do what we must, including working on holidays, the early morning shifts and, of course, the graveyard shifts. Deep in the night, we are the team working steadfastly to make sure that at start-up time and during run time, the sometimes lofty expectations of our internal customers are serviced and met. Truth be told, it’s not just the internal customer that drives us, but also the knowledge that if we fail, the expectations of Purity’s many consumers will also not be met. Without the Technical team, everything would wear and tear until we have a complete breakdown of all systems. This will not happen on our watch. We have our challenges, particularly in managing the communication between multiple departments and ourselves; ensuring that requests are placed in a timely manner through correct channels, and ultimately meeting those expectations. Our focused goal is to face the challenges and do a good job by delivering excellent service. We are a strong and confident team, with the courage and determination, regardless of how high-risk the situation might be, to face the job and the challenges at hand, getting the result which the company requires to meet the customer and consumer expectations. We know along the way that we need to retool and making the time to do so is challenging, but we are committed to allocating the time resources to retrain and retool, for the betterment of this team and the entire organisation. Indeed, we are the glue that holds Purity Bakeries together, because we have to be involved in the activities of each department, keeping them all on the road to achieving their results.

20. SUNDAY SUN SPECIAL

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STANLEY JORDAN – 36

WAYNE CHASE – 34

WHEN AN INSTITUTION has the lasting power to make it to the 85th year of continuous operation, a lot of recognition is deserved to those that helped march it on to such an achievement. Most people don’t realise that the 85th anniversary symbol is the sapphire, or a flame diamond. This symbolises the unconquerable and enduring, it is said that the fire in the diamond symbolizes the constant flame of love. The old adage of ‘the way to a man’s heart’ holds true, but not just for men. Purity Bakeries brings a touch of class and a bit of love to every occasion and the long standing members of staff that have seen so many years of the company’s progress deserve their recognition in being a part of the mould.

Loyal staff makes achievement possible Pictures by Rawle Culbard

JULIET WORRELL – 20

CUTHBERT BRATHWAITE – 19

JENNIFER FLORO – 18

SONIA BLACKMAN – 17

EMPLOYEES ON THE LONG SERVICE HONOUR ROLL Over 25 Years Stanley Jordan Wayne Chase Anderson Hope

36 34 27

Over 20 Years Maurice Clarke

Over 15 Years Juliet Worrell Cuthbert Brathwaite Trevor Chandler David I. Thorpe

20 19 19 19

Lionel Lynch Hamilton King Mark Fitzpatrick Joseph Doughty Wendell Bailey Emerson Leacock Ivan Remise Derek Springer Charles Bynoe Shawn Hill Owen Blackett Flexon King Basdeo Samaroo

19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19

Cleveland Earle Owen Best Curtis Ward Joseph Williams Anderson Whitehall Nolan Seale Trevor Knight Hallam Chandler Marcus Bynoe Albert Holder Errol Greenidge Anthony Ifill David Springer

19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19

Francis Gittens Anthony Dubois Michael Lloyd Shawn Griffith Christopher Grimes Wilfred Trotman Cuthbert Hadaway Michael Greene Glendacia Morris Shawn Burnett Adrian Walrond Richard Boyce Charles Herbert

19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19

Anthony Haynes Mohamed Mohamed Abdiel Legall Lindsay Rodney Rodney St Elmo Lashley Alvin Waithe Allan Smith David Moses Shimell Farley Kirby Knight Mukunda Ashby Steve Bridgeman Paul Cave

19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 18 18 18 18 18

Shaun Rodney Waveney Alleyne Jennifer Floro Nigel Greenidge Stephen Mottley Arthur Goddard Kenneth Taylor Louis Banfield Antonio Briggs Ricardo Grazette Marlo Franklyn

18 18 18 18 18 17 17 17 17 17 17

• Continued on next page

DECEMBER 13, 2015

SUNDAY SUN SPECIAL. 21

Dedicated employees all • From Page 20. Over 15 Years Jauralda Lashley-Todd Sonia Blackman Jassinta Sandiford Bernadette Haynes Sonia Barrow Wendy Alleyne Trecia Walcott Debbie Leon

17 17 17 17 17 17 17 17

(RC)

Anthony Boyce Mervene Herbert Pernel Cadogan St Clair Haynes Ricardo Inniss

16 16 16 16 16

Over 10 Years Sophia Hinds Junie Reid Victor Devonish Kerryann Walton Ronald Brathwaite Corey Fitzpatrick

15 15 15 15 14 14

Together through the Years

We have had the honour to work with Purity Bakeries over the years as both of our companies contributed to the quality of life in Barbados.

85 5 Ye a

A n n iv er sa r y

We wish the Management and Staff at Purity Bakeries continued success.

(RC)

DELPHINE BUTE – 10

(RC)

SOPHIA HINDS – 15 Donna Phillips Anthea Waithe

(RC)

LAWRENCE GILKES – 10 14 14

Jerry Brathwaite David Niles

14 14

Andrea Phillips Sandra Reid Matthew Straughn Adrian Nurse Fabian Jean Julie Wilkinson Owen Blenman Juliette Bartlett Janice Stuart Rommell Grazette Kathleen Pinder Ricardo Smart

13 13 12 12 12 12 12 11 11 11 11 11

FRANKIE HINDS – 10 Over 5 Years Roger Grant Shawn Gittens Lawrence Gilkes Delphine Bute Jason Small Frankie Hinds Charles Drakes Glen Waithe Llewellyn Poyette Mary Lynch

10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10

22. SUNDAY SUN SPECIAL

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THE FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION departments should be seen as the head and heart of Purity Bakeries. Our teams combined meet and greet the vast majority of external customers who call into Purity Bakeries every day, and we do so with pride and enthusiasm. Whether the calls are for payables, receivables, employment related, product related or just general queries about our many products and services, we are there to manage each one. We recognise how important first impressions and interactions impact the future of relationships. Our teams are pivotal to the success of Purity Bakeries, as we manage two very key components which keep the business ticking over every day. Some might say these two mechanisms are the most important: financial resources and human resources. We don’t boast about our role too often but without good management in these areas, we would be faced with many challenges in keeping major commitments to all our stakeholders. In our unique team, Administration is the head, seeing the big picture, fielding and directing queries, concerns and congratulations. Finance is the heart ensuring that there is oxygen flowing through the company to every department that needs it, ultimately maintaining operational stability. There is no question that we are the superglue which keeps this company together. However, like any real team, we

MEMBERS OF the finance and administration departments. (RC) too have our differences. Occasionally impatience with one another seeps in and the mini battles arise even though we are all adults this doesn’t always rule the day, but we try. Regardless, as a team we are beginning to come together based on more effective communication. We keep customers happy, ensuring that the message is delivered that the company is a family. We seek to understand the multiple challenges of both internal and external customers, and make the business function to suit. If our departments did not exist, the affairs of Purity would go unmanaged. It is our responsibility to place staff in roles where they best fit and to allocate finances in such a way that we not only safeguard our other assets but also remain profitable. One must not be fooled, we are met

with various trials daily but like any strong team we are able to put on our poker faces and serve our customers with a cheerful attitude. Administration is faced with the challenge of a myriad of calls from customers who have confidence that we have

information on everything which Purity may be doing, and juggling all these expectations is a significant task. While Finance acts as the middle man between unhappy and disgruntled customers, who may require placating, and other departments about specific unmet needs. Our teams recognise the power of unity and we are able to call on any other team member when it comes down to crunch time and deadlines and expectations are to be met. Our customers love us because we have built strong relationships so it makes our tasks enjoyable. Therefore when it comes down to the question of which department is the glue holding Purity together, the answer would have to be the Finance and Administration departments. We are self-sacrificing in pursuing the company’s best interest with no complaints and a razor-sharp focus on getting the job done and making the company successful. After all, one cannot function without a head and a heart.

DECEMBER 13, 2015

SUNDAY SUN SPECIAL. 23

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Employee of the quarter January – March 2015 (right) receiving his award Pernel Cadogan. (GP) AS SHOWN by the number of employees who have been on being a part of Purity for ages, some for all their working lives, the culture and motivational programs of a company are what inspires employees by creating a working environment that leads to high staff retention. Most companies offer yearly awards, Purity goes beyond and offers quarterly recognition for outstanding staff members. Each quarter, those special employees that stand out among their colleagues are recognised before their peers. The awards are actually overseen by the staff, making the accolades even more meaningful as they come from those who are there every day to witness the efforts of outstanding work ethic. There is a panel of employees who volunteer to sit on the panel for a

period of time. Supervisors nominate their employees for various achievements, whether it is going beyond the call of duty consistently or a star award, then the panel makes democratic decisions on employees of the quarter. “We’ve begun to acknowledge that maybe we need a more robust system for filtering nominations into the quarterly system,” said Christopher Symmonds. “The supervisors are actually in the process of examining a weekly recognition system which would filter directly into the quarterly system. This makes recognition more instant, frequent, and certainly by the time it gets to the quarterly, all the weekly winners will be going forward, maybe with a couple others as well,” he added. Trophies, certificates, and other very significant prizes

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are awarded for those who stand out in an already outstanding company. Beyond the awards, Purity also has its own internal games and competitions. Recently, it completed its Independence Road Tennis Tournament, which was won by Rodney Lashley, one of the company’s drivers. Purity even goes as far as to have its own house system: blue, yellow, red,

and green, with senior managers having responsibility for each house. Whether it’s planned fun days or dominoes tournaments, the team ethic from Purity Bakeries powers the cohesion of the entire company. “Out of the 200-odd staff that we have, it’s quite interesting the skill sets and personalities that come together and you find

coming out for these occasions. It’s a rich environment,” said Symmonds. Right now, Purity is having its own internal raffle. With two winners daily for its 12 Days of Christmas Raffle, Purity Bakeries has invited all its employees to enjoy some extra Christmas cheer. Between December 9 and 24, many exciting prizes are to be won.

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