Leeds bakery supplier looks to slash energy bill in half with operation extension

By Gill Hyslop

- Last updated on GMT

Dan Watson (commercial director), Martin Humphrey (MD), Stewart Humphrey (purchasing director) and Simon Rennison (operations director) in the significantly larger loading area.
Dan Watson (commercial director), Martin Humphrey (MD), Stewart Humphrey (purchasing director) and Simon Rennison (operations director) in the significantly larger loading area.
Walker Humphrey has acquired a fourth building in Sherbern in Elmet, which will extend its capacity and create new jobs. The company is also investing in a secondary solar system, which it hopes will halve its electricity bill.

The new building extends the company’s premises to over 28,000 sq ft of warehouse, distribution and office space.

“I’m delighted that we were able to successfully acquire a fourth unit in Sherburn in Elmet, which will enable further expansion without the need of a costly site move,”​ said Martin Humphrey, Walker Humphrey’s MD.

Minimise further price increases for customers

The third generation family-owned wholesaler of bakery and catering supplies believes the extension will enable it to be even more competitive in this inflationary environment.

Added Humphrey, “It significantly increases our loading area for our fleet of HGV multi-temperature delivery vehicles and, as we enter a global energy crisis, the additional unit means we can increase our frozen and ambient capacity, as well as investing in a secondary solar system.

“This will reduce our electricity bill by an impressive 50%, which will make us even more competitive in the supply of goods, keeping storage costs under control to help minimise any further price increases to our loyal customers.”

Recruiting

The company has also launched a recruitment drive to grow its team by 20% over the next three years.

“It’s an exciting time for Walker Humphrey and we’re now recruiting for several positions, ranging from forklift truck drivers and sales personnel, as we aim to grow by another 20 per cent, which will give us a 40-strong team, in the next three years.”

Walker Humphrey was advised on its acquisition by Leeds property consultancy GV&Co.

“This property offered a rare opportunity to procure a freehold industrial unit on Sherburn Enterprise Park and ultimately secures Walker Humphrey’s future in Sherburn in Elmet, as well as offering much-needed expansion space,” ​said GV&C director Paul Mack.

Walker Humphrey was established in 1964 by Joseph Walker Humphrey, supplying products to craft bakeries, independent businesses, farm shops and specialist retailers located across Yorkshire, Lancashire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and the North East of the UK.

Today, the business employs a 33-strong team and offers an extensive range of ambient, chilled and frozen products and ingredients, along with packaging solutions.

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