Stockport food manufacturer achieves back-to-back years of double digit growth

Stockport based specialist food manufacturer, Firstplay Dietary Foods, has revealed it has achieved back-to-back double-digit growth for the first time after accessing a range of business support measures through GC Business Growth Hub.

Firstplay Dietary Foods makes a range of low protein products for people with Phenylketonuria (PKU) and other metabolic conditions which leaves people unable to eat protein without risking brain damage.

The business first got in touch with the GC Business Growth Hub in 2020, taking part in the Peer Networks and Executive Development Programme schemes to help them during the pandemic. Since then, they have increased production capacity 10-fold after investing £120,000 in automation technology with the support of the Made Smarter programme, which has helped deal with growing international demand.

They have also taken part in a Workforce Development Programme and the Lean Champion Programme as well as becoming members of the Good Employment Charter. MD Tom Fletcher (pictured) believes that their ongoing relationship with the GC Business Growth Hub has been hugely beneficial for them. He said:

“Firstplay Dietary Foods have been working extensively with The Growth Company since 2020 in a variety of ways. I benefitted hugely from an Executive Development Programme, and Peer Network sessions helping me navigate the business through the tricky waters of the Covid-19 pandemic. Support has also been delivered to the management team in the way of leadership courses and to the wider team via courses in LEAN manufacturing methods. 

“In 2022, Firstplay worked alongside Made Smarter to project scope, part-fund and help deliver a new automated packing line into the business, increasing the productivity of lines running through that machine 10-fold compared to previous manual packing. With the assistance outlined above, we have been able to upskill 66% of our colleagues and have delivered back-to-back double digit turnover growth for the first time in our 30-year history.”

Liam Connors, Stockport Account Manager for GC Business Growth Hub, said:

“Collaboration is key to successful growth and Stockport is cultivating a fantastic culture of collaboration. From the recent development of the Stockport Acorn Alliance to incubate scaling businesses to the recent development of the Merseyway Innovation Centre, not to mention Stockport being the current Town of Culture! We are incredibly proud to be supporting Stockport and will continue to be there for Stockport’s businesses and communities over the coming years.

“Having worked with Firstplay for the past two years I have seen a business flourish into a forward thinking, innovative, family business. Working with Tom and the team on multiple initiatives including becoming a member of the Good Employment Charter and a well-respected, prominent business in Stockport and Greater Manchester has been a pleasure and highlight for me.”