WIREDGOV

Clam’s Cakes – which operates in a niche market supplying hand made cakes to independent outlets throughout the UK – is on target to hit the £1m turnover mark this year following a move into larger premises in Ebbw Vale.

The business, run by Jane Phillips, began life as a coffee shop in Abergavenny serving home made cakes that were so popular  she was soon inundated with orders to supply other shops.

The manufacturing side took off after Clam’s Cakes scooped nine Great Taste Awards at a fine food fair which attracted the attention – and substantial orders -  from shops and well known stores throughout London.

The coffee house, which  opened in 1982, was sold to fund the expansion into full time manufacturing and since then Clam’s Cakes has survived  two recessions  and moved premises four times to increase  capacity to meet the growing demand for its products.

Their new premises on Victoria Park, Ebbw Vale, were officially opened by Economy Minister Edwina Hart who congratulated Clam’s Cakes on its on-going success.

The Minister said:

“ Growing the food and drink industry is a key priority for the Welsh Government and our recently launched Action Plan for the Food and Drink Industry sets out how we will work to deliver a 30% increase in output by 2020.

“ It’s therefore good news to hear that Clam’s Cakes is continuing to expand and win new orders. I am also pleased to hear how the business is benefiting from exhibiting with the Welsh Government at a number of trade exhibitions and that this is proving to be a great platform to promote their products to new customers.”

The investment in their new premises which was supported by Blaenau Gwent Council has doubled capacity and already created three new local jobs bringing staff numbers up to twenty. The Welsh Government is also providing support to develop their business and improve aspects such as marketing, sales and manufacturing capacity.

Jane Phillips said:

"This is our fourth and final move as the site has potential for further expansion in the future. It has been a long process finding the right premises but my feeling was that this  area, particularly with the regeneration of Ebbw Vale, was right for Clam’s Cakes. I love my new bakery and looking forward to growing the business in Ebbw Vale.

“I appreciate the help and support we have received from the Welsh Government and Blaenau Gwent Council in taking the business to a new level. We are already reaping the benefits with increased output, improved manufacturing flow and cost efficiencies.

“We have seen year on year increase in sales over the past three years and are on target to reach the £1m turnover mark this financial year and have plans to improve the business over the next few years.

"We want to remain in the niche market where we operate and can now carry on making traditional hand made cakes in volume . We make a point of buying as much of our ingredients locally to support the local economy and give something back to the community.”

The company, which was previously based in Crickhowell, manufactures thirty different products – ranging from whisky fruit cakes to sticky almond cakes to gluten free brownies; make bespoke products for specific corporate events and bake 3000 cakes a week, ranging from very large orders to individual cakes ordered on line.