How Berkshire Mountain Bakery manages growth
Bigger wasn’t better for this Housatonic, Mass. specialty wholesale bakery. Owner Richard Bourdon reorganized his staff and revised his production schedule; today, with more than $1 million in sales, the bakery is profitable.
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He points out that sucanat is “an excellent source of iron, calcium, potassium, B vitamins and chromium, which helps balance blood sugar.” Unlike palm kernel oil, a highly saturated or “bad” fat derived from the palm seed, the shortening used in Berkshire Mountain's cookies comes from the palm fruit and contains a balance of polyunsaturated, monounsaturated and saturated fatty acid as well as essential substances that act as natural anti-oxidants.
The 2.8-oz. cookies are available in four flavors — Sweet Seed (with dry-roasted sunflower and sesame seeds and pine nuts), ginger molasses, White Chocolate Decadence (with macadamia nuts and cardamom) and Chocolate Café. Instead of regular coffee, the Chocolate Café cookies are subtly flavored with a blend of soluble extracts of roasted dandelion root, barley, rye, chicory root and beetroot.
Individually wrapped for greater shelf stability, the sprouted grain cookies also can be ordered through the bakery's newly revamped Web site.
“Like our breads, we think these cookies are unique in their flavors and use of the most wholesome, healthful ingredients available,” he notes. “We expect them to grow into a significant source of revenue for the bakery.”
Breads are made from one of three starters–wheat, rye or spelt.
To accommodate the increased retail presence, he plans to enlarge the bakery by 1,500 sq. ft. to incorporate a larger display area and a riverside café with indoor seating for 30, plus more outside.
“I want to turn the bakery into a destination,” he says.
Berkshire Mountain
Bakery….a sampling of prices
| WHOLESALE | ||
|---|---|---|
| Baguette, 8 ozs. | $1.66 | |
| 12 ozs. | $1.82 | |
| Cherry Pecan, 16 ozs. | $4.08 | |
| Ciabatta, 16 ozs. | $2.13 | |
| 4 ozs. | $1.10 | |
| Hearty Wheat, 16 ozs. | $2.13 | |
| 44 ozs. | $5.21 | |
| Multigrain, 16 ozs. | $2.88 | |
| Peasant French, 16 ozs. | $2.13 | |
| Sunny Flax, 24 ozs. | $3.16 | |
| Rye, 22 ozs. | $2.93 | |
| Rolls, 2 ozs. 36-count | $11.88 | |
| Sweet Seed cookie, 2.5 ozs. | $1.05 | |
| Chocolate Café cookie, 2.5 ozs. | $1.15 | |
| Ginger Molasses cookie, 2.5 ozs. | $1.00 | |
| White Chocolate Decadence cookie, 2.5 ozs. | $1.20 | |
| RETAIL | ||
| Baguette, 8 ozs. | $2.00 | |
| Hearty Wheat, 16 ozs. | $3.50 | |
| Multigrain, 16 ozs. | $3.50 | |
| Rolls, 2 ozs., 36 count | $18.00 | |
| Rye, 22 ozs. | $4.00 | |
| Sunny Flax, 24 ozs. | $4.50 | |
| Cookies (all flavors), 2.5 ozs. | $1.75 | |
All Berkshire Mountain Bakery breads are shaped by hand.
Berkshire Mountain
Bakery… at a glance
Location: Berkshire Mountain Bakery
Key personnel titles: Richard Bourdon, owner
Primary business: specialty wholesale
Market served: Housatonic, Mass.
Web site: www.berkshiremountainbakery.com
Number of locations: 1
Product line: artisan breads, cookies
Bakery size: 7,000 sq. ft.
Number of employees: 13 full-time, 2 part-time
Production methods: scratch
Major equipment: spiral mixers, bread divider, manual bun divider/rounder, reversible sheeter, sheeter/moulder, baguette moulder, rotary rack oven, deck/hearth oven, refrigerator, freezer, bread slicer
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