The Bakers Foundation is a new sector of the company with the sole focus of donating a fixed percentage of profit every year to various good causes.
Since moving to Brentwood in 2011, the business said it has placed a huge importance on charity and the community. This has been through financial donations, fundraising, volunteering, sponsorship, and supplying printed material.
Over the years, the business has regularly made these donations to various charities and local clubs. As well as supporting the charities, Baker Labels said it provides its staff “with the opportunity to learn about the amazing work the charities do, and a great feeling knowing their hard work means the company can make these generous donations”.
Managing director Steve Baker said he wanted to set up the foundation to mark the company’s 50th year in business this year.
For the inaugural launch of Bakers Foundation, an amount of £150,000 was donated to multiple charities. This will be shared between local charities that Bakers has previously supported, as well as new charities that staff members have suggested.
Bakers had already donated to a number of charities over previous months but in August the Bakers Foundation carefully considered where larger donations could make the biggest difference to local charities.
Its donations included Kids Inspire – £25,000; SNAP – £25,000; Brentwood Foodbank – £7,000; Billericay Foodbank – £3,000; Aching Arms – £10,000; Wipe Away Those Tears – £15,000; Brentwood Theatre Trust – £5,000; POD Charitable Trust – £2,000; and Challenging MND – £10,000.
As well as charity donations, Bakers sponsors local sports teams Brentwood Rugby Club and Great Danes Women’s Football. This year, it is title sponsor for local charity event Brentwood Half Marathon.
Roy and Marian Baker founded independent family business Baker Labels in 1973. Today, its 112 staff turn over £16m.
Last month, the business took on its ninth HP press since 2006 – an Indigo 6k with an inline primer (ILP) unit – to boost its capabilities.
Separately, last week the company received the ‘Global Converter of the Year’ award at the Label Industry Global Awards at Labelexpo in Brussels.
