Boosting productivity: How the UKSPF Digital and Productivity Grant helped Bullion double chocolate production

Close-up view of a large metal tray filled with raw cocoa beans spread out evenly. The beans are reddish-brown and have a rough texture, indicating they are unprocessed. The tray is part of an industrial setting with stainless steel surfaces visible in the background.

Support from the UKSPF Digital and Productivity Grant enabled Bullion to double their output, helping them manage demand as their business expands. Bullion is a bean-to-bar chocolate company, meaning they produce chocolate entirely from scratch, handling every step from roasting cocoa beans to grinding them with organic cane sugar and tempering the final product.

With their original setup, which included just two chocolate grinders, Bullion was able to produce approximately 1,000 bars of chocolate per week at their Kelham Island-based factory. However, this created a bottleneck, making it difficult for them to keep up with increasing demand.

Using the £11,744 grant (50% match funded), Bullion was able to purchase two additional chocolate grinders, which effectively doubled their production capacity and output. This crucial investment allowed them to meet customer demand and scale their operations more efficiently.

Large stainless steel mixing machine filled with thick, glossy melted chocolate being stirred by rotating metal paddles. Control panels and safety equipment are visible in the background.

Max Scotford, the founder of Bullion Chocolate, reflected on the significance of the grant for their business: "We got two more grinders from this grant, and that was pivotal in helping us with our production and managing the demand as we grow the business."

By supporting SMEs like Bullion, Business Sheffield and the UKSPF Digital and Productivity Grant are fostering innovation and growth in local businesses, helping them overcome operational challenges, increase productivity, and contribute to the local economy.