- BGD’s colourful history has spanned forty years. The company was initially the distribution arm
of its parent company, the Baker Group, transporting beef products.
- 1963 saw the formation of FW Baker, employing just five people working from small premises in
Rugby.
- In 1966, the company moved to a new abattoir in the town and from that point on, business began
to expand, serving large retail outlets and manufacturers with carcass beef.
- In 1971, FW Baker purchased its present location at Crick, near Northampton and throughout the
70's and 80's, the site grew rapidly and the company's range of products expanded with retail ready
packs of fresh meat and canned foods being produced.
- Baker Group's farming and transport business also began to experience a period of significant
growth to support the increasing demands of the parent company.
- In mid 90’s however, the company's success was to be sorely tested. With the challenges of the
BSE crisis, it became evident that the Baker Group had to change its strategic focus to survive the
critical situation that was crippling so many of its competitors.
- On the 20 March 1996, the worldwide ban on British beef hit, when the Baker Group faced what
seemed to be an impossible future. The demand for both beef and temperature-controlled distribution
was drastically reduced overnight, leaving BGD with trailers standing idle.
- With the immediate requirement of reducing dependency on the Baker Group, BGD was left with a
number of strategic options to aid its survival - close down the temperature-controlled fleet and
sub-contract haulage; reduce the fleet size and re-profile the vehicles or finally, to offer their
services to the UK market place.
- The decision was made to haul temperature-controlled goods around the UK for external
customers. To support these ambitious plans, a strategy for investment was devised to provide the
facilities required to support external customers.
- Since the height of the BSE crisis, BGD has invested £8 million in its future with a modern
chilled distribution centre fully operational at Crick. The firm also maintains a programme of
on-going vehicle and trailer replacement.
- Continuous training of drivers is via a full-time driver trainer with particular emphasis
placed on health and safety with the Group being awarded the British Safety Council Five Star Award
three years in a row. Since January 1997, the revenue generated from external customers has more
than doubled.
- Disaster loomed again in 2001 when Foot and Mouth Disease hit the UK's farming and food
industries. BGD held firm, buoyed by a diverse client base across key food sectors. Although
disastrous for many businesses, the company survived the impact of the disease and continues to
maintain its position as one of the country's leading distributors of chilled and frozen
foods.
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Welcome to our new look website!
We hope you like the new design - but we've also updated the
'Online Customer Extranet'
so it's now even easier to track your orders, view POD's, view your stock etc. So if you're an
existing customer who hasn't checked in to the secure area for a while why not take a look now? If
your a new customer then contact us for more details and we'll set you up with a login and
password.
Baker Group Distribution
- did you know we now offer very competitive rates for storage and
handling product in our warehouse? Why not call us now and speak to someone about your
requirements.