Spice Kitchen tech investment first step towards £2m sales

The family-run business has invested in a cloud-based software to improve efficiency – with the added benefit of improved quality and traceability – supported by a £20,000 grant from technology adoption programme Made Smarter.

As a result, Spice Kitchen expected to double production and double sales as a result. The investment will also support the creation of three new management jobs.

Sanjay Aggarwal, co-founder of Spice Kitchen, said: “Made Smarter’s support has been extraordinary. They have helped us create a digital roadmap, analyse our existing skills, create a plan for workforce development, and accelerate our investment in a much-needed technology solution.​

‘Immediate impact’

“This investment will have an immediate impact by improving the quality and consistency of our business operations, but crucially, it will embed a scalable operational, commercial and manufacturing platform for future business growth.”​

Spice Kitchen is one of hundreds of businesses in the North West to have secured grants for technology projects. Collectively, these are forecast to create 1,550 jobs, upskill 2,772 existing roles and increase North West GVA (goods value added) by £242m.

Donna Edwards, director of Made Smarter’s North West Adoption programme, added: “Spice Kitchen is a fantastic example of a manufacturer which recognises the benefit of using technology to scale the business. The outcomes of this technology project are far reaching, from creating growth and new high value jobs, but also laying the foundations for more technologies.​

Impartial technology advice

“Spice Kitchen is among hundreds of manufacturers in the region grasping the opportunities offered by Made Smarter which include expert, impartial technology advice, digital transformation workshops to help take that first step to transform a business, and support with technology investment. I would encourage other SME manufacturers to do the same.”​

Founded in 2012, Spice Kitchen has gone from selling homemade tins of spice mix at artisan markets a £1m business which has appeared on TV’s Hairy Bikers. The manufacturer is now focused on international wholesale sales into the US, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and the Gulf Region, as well as growing online sales via Amazon and the website.

Meanwhile, foodservice wholesaler Sysco GB has announced a £15m investment in its Brakes Scotland Newhouse depot.​​