Valeo Foods Group: Perfecting a “OneValeo” way of working with Johnsons Workwear
ABOUT VALEO FOODS GROUP
Valeo Foods Group is one of Europe’s fastest-growing food companies, specialising in sweets, snacks and treats. As the home to almost 90 brands – including Balconi cakes and wafers, Pedro confectionary, Mila, Lina and Horalky wafers, Rowse Honey, Bernard maple syrup, Barratt’s sweets, Fox’s mints, and Kettle Chips – they operate in over 100 countries serving major retailers, discounters, e-commerce, convenience stores, wholesalers, and foodservice operators.
With revenues exceeding €1.8 billion, Valeo Foods Group employ nearly 6,000 people across 30 facilities in the UK, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Ireland, Slovakia, Czech, and Canada.
As part of a wider strategic shift to align operations and their many different factories under the “OneValeo” way of working, the business recognised a need to standardise their workwear and strengthen supplier relationships.
This case study explores how Valeo Food Group’s contract renewal with Johnsons Workwear has supported their transition to create a “OneValeo” family and created more of a collaborative partnership – rather than settling for a typical customer/supplier relationship – to manage their workwear and laundry needs.
Having Johnsons as our laundry provider gives me a pretty trouble-free life, from a laundry point of view. I know it’s going to turn up on time, I know it’s clean, I know that it’s food-safe, I know that it’s of good quality, and I know that the relationships that the Johnsons contacts have with our site contacts is pretty robust and in place – and therefore I’ve got very little to worry about.
Tracey Slee
Head of Technical Snacks, Valeo Foods Group
THE CHALLENGE
Valeo Foods Group had worked with Johnsons Workwear for many years. However, when their contract ended, and Johnsons were awarded a three-year contract for the supply of laundered workwear following a competitive tender, the company identified an opportunity to drive improvement.
Inconsistent uniforms across sites
Whilst their previous workwear was also provided by Johnsons and completely compliant, it wasn’t standardised across all factories. This led to staff wearing various colours and branding across different sites, with little to no consistency in uniform or appearance.
A disjointed customer/supplier relationship
Valeo Foods Group recognised that they simply saw their relationship with Johnsons Workwear as a service provider. Whilst it was a national account, each factory had different experiences with their dedicated plant, which became evident when any issues or change implementations arose.
A need to align all factories under one professional identity, “OneValeo”
After acquiring new factories, Valeo Foods Group wanted to ensure they had a standardised brand and identity across all. This included standardised uniforms for their staff – ensuring that all reflected the “OneValeo” way of working and felt a part of the “OneValeo” family.
THE APPROACH
Johnsons Workwear worked closely with Valeo Foods Group to deliver a refreshed workwear rental service, underpinned by open collaboration and clear service standards.
New workwear solution
Johnsons worked with Valeo Foods Group to create bespoke rental workwear, branded to reflect the “OneValeo” identity that the company was striving for. The workwear included colour-coded coats and trousers by job role (designed to meet stringent food safety standards), along with dust control mats, paired with an industrial laundry service multiple times per week.
Robust rollout process
Johnsons Workwear also implemented a tailored installation plan to ensure a smooth transition across multiple factories, bringing consistency to the entire workforce. This was spearheaded by a dedicated National Accounts Manager, and locational Customer Service Administrators.
Collaborative working
With a further focus on consistency, and partnership, Valeo Foods Group and Johnsons Workwear invested time in discussing and gaining a full understanding of the company’s operational needs. This ongoing collaboration has helped create a service model based on shared goals and reliable expectations.
Since we’ve had the new workwear installed, everyone feels very positive. It’s an investment in the people, and what we’re trying to achieve here.
David Raine
Technical Manager, Valeo Foods Group (York)
THE RESULT
Renewing their contract with Johnsons Workwear wasn’t just a procurement decision – it became a wider investment in Valeo Foods Group’s people. The renewed and rebirthed partnership with Johnsons, following the tender win, has brought immediate and long-term benefits to the company. These include:
Operational improvements
Not only do the employees have greater comfort and consistent, compliant uniforms across all sites, but the collaborative relationship with Johnsons Workwear has made processes and service deliveries so much smoother. Staff claim, “everything is just easier now”.
Company impact
Beyond operations, Valeo Foods Group and their employees across the UK now have workwear that reflects pride in their roles and workplace. With a standardised, branded uniform, there is much greater unity and identity under the “OneValeo” family.
Management feedback
Furthermore, General Managers report fewer issues and a much more reliable service – especially thanks to their fortnightly check-ins with their local Johnsons Customer Service Administrators keep things on track, with a monthly KPI in place. Quarterly reviews with senior management and their Johnsons Workwear National Accounts Manager also strengthen alignment further – especially around measuring company-wide KPIs and controlling spend.
MORE CUSTOMER SUCCESS STORIES
Perfecting a “OneValeo” way of working with Johnsons Workwear
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