What’s Baking at Braces July Newsletter 2008

1. What’s Baking at BracesJuly Newsletter 2008

2. A note from Mark As you know, the current climate has meant some challenges to overcome in the business of late. Many strategies are underway to change our ongoing operations and build a strong foundation for our future. We are all facing economic factors that affect every element of our lives, with rising prices and financial pressures. These same constraints have affected the bakery business with major cost increases - wheat prices doubling in 12 months, diesel rising by 18%, and gas and electricity by 40%. Together with these major elements are cost increases of all materials, commodities and wages. To support the increases in costs, three product price rises have been negotiated with customers. Furthermore, a detailed review has been conducted of every aspect of the business operations to ensure efficiencies are maximised. On a positive note, major investment is ongoing to support the long term business operation, which includes increasing capacity within production and distribution, improving product quality and availability to support future market opportunities. I have every confidence in our business performance and am certain that with the combined efforts of everyone our ongoing success will be maintained for the long term. Thank you all for your contribution. Yours, Mark N Mark Brace Managing Director

3. KIDS GET A TASTE OF HEALTHY EATING AND EXERCISE Youngsters across South Wales kicked off their school holiday with a taste of healthy living and a chance to put their culinary skills into action. Over 100 children - who attended Cardiff City’s soccer schools in Caerphilly, Treforest and Abergavenny - got to build up their appetite football training then make their own fruit smoothie and try healthy snacks, thanks to Brace’s. Our food advisor and school visitor, Jo Bass, carried out the session to help raise awareness of healthy living. We also provided children with branded worksheets, stickers and t-shirts. Michelle Hughes, Head of Communications, said: “Healthy eating and exercise go hand in hand so it made sense to work with Cardiff City Football Club to educate the children in a fun and interactive way.”

4. RECYCLING FOR CHARITY Brace’s is supporting TŷHafan, The Children’s Hospice in Wales, by becoming the latest company to sign up for the charity’s recycling scheme. TŷHafan was established in 1999 to provide specialist palliative care, which includes respite and end of life care, to the children in Wales who suffer from life limiting conditions and are not expected to reach 19 years of age. The hospice was set up entirely by public donations and now costs £2.5 million a year to run. Diane Stringer, Corporate Co-ordinator at TŷHafan, said: “We are delighted that Brace’s has signed up for the Land Phil scheme which turns unwanted waste into vital funds for us and, as a direct result, also stops the waste being dumped at landfill sites across Wales. It is small changes like this that matter because if homes, schools, businesses and the wider community join together it will have a huge positive impact for both the environment and TŷHafan.”

5. Long Service mentions:Craig Thompson – 25 years in FebruaryAlan Carter – 30 years in AprilRay Deverell – 30 years in April Lawrence James – 30 years in MaySimon Madden – 20 years in MaySusan James – 20 years in August HR NEWS

6. Going Green In recent weeks we have contracted with Veolia to assist us with our recycling. As you will no doubt be aware, recycling is very much on the agenda of government and business alike due to the impact the production and disposal of materials such as plastic have on the environment and the cost of disposing of waste to landfill is increasing at the rate of 8% per year. Consequentially, our partnership with Veolia has been cemented to enable us to become more effective in recycling paper, plastic and metal and thus reduce our general waste levels. In order to recycle effectively waste should be segregated at source and so dedicated bins for waste paper, metal drinks cans, used wicket wires and white plastic have been placed around the business. A roadshow presentation will be taking place over the next six weeks to provide further information about our recycling strategy and to answer any questions which you may have. In the meantime, please help our drive to increase our recycling by using the correct bin for the waste you are disposing of. However, if you have any queries regarding recycling or our commitment to reducing our environmental impact please feel free to approach your Line Manager. A date for the diary: On 27th August we will be undergoing an audit against the Green Dragon Standard (Level 2) - an award which the business achieved last year for the work undertaken in managing our environmental impacts.

7. What goes where? Metal – bag wickets, drinks, cans, bucket handles Hard white plastic – jam buckets, Golden Syrup buckets Cardboard and flexible plastic – fruit boxes, tagging tape boxes, bread bags, Improver bags .... Paper – any waste paper except silicone paper

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