Latest update April 19th, 2024 12:59 AM
May 27, 2015 News
Over forty individuals from bakeries around Guyana were educated Monday on improving quality with good baking practices when the National Milling Company of Guyana Inc. (NAMILCO) hosted its ‘Future of Baking’ seminar at Doolsie’s Bakery, Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara.
At the opening of the event which was scheduled to span over a two-day period, CEO of the entity, Bert Sukhai, declared that while the company has never actually seen a shortage of wheat in the past 21 years, the company is however to invest in excess of US$8M to add more storage space and a spanking new jetty to make operations even smoother.
Sukhai noted that the venture was the third of its kind in five years and being hosted under the theme, ‘Enhancing Your Products, Maximising Your Profits’. He indicated that while it is the trend of most Guyanese to wait and watch the success of others before venturing on such projects, he advised attendees to refrain from such practices, since each of them had the opportunity to obtain their own niche, by adopting what was presented at the seminar to maximize their profits.
On bread making, he noted that times are changing and with it customers’ tastes and needs, assuring that bakers can earn more by producing the five types of bread that were discussed and eventually baked in the practical session of the seminar.
Attendees to the seminar were allowed to participate in the mixing, dividing, baking and tasting in the Corona Dulce, Ciabatta, Multigrain, Wheat Germ, FlaxSeeds, and Raisin Breads.
The CEO noted that while they were not asking bakers to stop making their traditional products, they were however suggesting that they introduce a variety of breads to their product line that would cater for everyone.
He emphasized that in the process of introducing new products, effort and cash must be inculcated in the process. He added that proper marketing techniques and suitable packaging are the keys to success.
In updating the gathering on the present happenings at NAMILCO, Sukhai explained that while his company’s products are used far and wide, it takes detailed and expert processing to eventually arrive at the excellent quality of flour that is distributed to consumers. He added that his company has been investing large sums to ensure that they provide quality products in line with their ISO mandate.
The CEO indicated that at present his company is equipped with some of the latest technology, even as they are in the process of replacing some of their machinery. He said that their wheat-cleaning system is all computer controlled, ensuring accurate blending, and tempering of the wheat to arrive at the highest quality of flour. He further noted that new ‘state-of-the-art’ machinery has been added to the company, to ensure less package bursting, and to prevent quality levels from being compromised.
He said that while the company has never actually had a shortage of flour, they were however faced with a few close calls, citing last year when icy conditions in Canada caused a vessel to become stuck, forcing the company to hurriedly facilitate the need with a rushed shipment from the USA to avert major shortage.
He said that to ensure this does not happen again, the company is adding more storage facilities to their present 14,200 metric tonnes, and will in the near future tender the construction of a new jetty which should be completed early next year. This, he said, will allow them to take larger vessels in to their port and give them more flexibility. The total they have spent and are projecting to invest will amount to more than US$8 M.
In closing he noted that while there seemed to be a minute shortage of flour during the elections, his company tried its best to meet demands even though employees were reluctant to work at nights during the General Elections period, even though the company offered triple payment on holidays.
He said that because of these constraints and high demand, there was a minor shortage at the mill, which he suspects saw retailers hiking their prices. In conclusion, he said the company nevertheless did not shrink from its commitment to ensure that consumers get their flour on time.
The seminar’s presenters, Didier Rosada (Red Brick Consulting), and Miguel Galdos of the Engrain Entity, took the bakers through their paces, educating on topics like fermentation, its advantages/disadvantages, dough processing, polishing, sponge theory, and tendencies in the baking world. Other topics discussed included bread consumption, demand and formula/recipes for the five new bread types.
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