What is the sustainable competitive advantage of this organization? What is the core competency of this organization? Is there any possibility for the following strategies at this organization?

Case Study: Syrian Bakery

A specialist bakery that produces Syrian bread has doubled its manufacturing space and is set to increase its product range.

Taza Bake, based in Stewartfield, Edinburgh, has also just been added to Heritage Portfolio’s list of corporate event suppliers for its Khobez or Syrian bread made to a 5000-year-old recipe.

The business, which was launched by Abdullah Razzouk after he used advice from Business Gateway Edinburgh, has now expanded into a second unit immediately next door to its current bakery, increasing its floor space to 2200sqft.

The expansion allows a second production line to open making Manakesh, traditional Syrian pies, and will house the business’ first retail outlet.

Abdullah, who runs his bakery while working full-time in the financial services industry, predicts his six-figure turnover could increase by up to 70% next year if current talks with two leading supermarkets are successful.

He said: “Since launching two years ago, the business has seen demand soar as shops and restaurants respond to customer demand for healthy breads that are chemical-free and freshly stone baked like ours. This process kills off bacteria and yeast and in turn limits bloating and other digestive issues. We’ve also seen an increase in orders from Syrian nationals who have recently arrived in Scotland.

“Although we do distribute our product to Manchester, Liverpool and Newcastle, there is still a huge market here in Scotland and I am working with Business Gateway Edinburgh to plan how best to tap into it. Right from the start Business Gateway has given me invaluable advice, including the market research that not only saved me a lot of time, it gave me the confidence to invest the initial £140k to buy ovens and kick-start the bakery. Since then my adviser has connected me with marketing consultants, IT experts and organised a strategy workshop that has helped me move my business forward. Without that input and guidance, I would have found setting up much more time-consuming.”

Al Bryce, Adviser, Business Gateway Edinburgh, said: “By engaging with us at the very start, Abdullah has benefitted from our knowledge and connections to establish and grow his business. The market for the company’s products continues to grow, sparking interest from across the country and into England. As the business expands, undoubtedly it will create more jobs and attract interest for well-known names looking to put its products on the shelves. We will continue to provide Abdullah with guidance and ensure he gains access to further support as and when needed.”

Having left Syria in 2009, Abdullah worked in corporate finance in Abu Dhabi and Aberdeen before finally settling in Scotland two years later. Missing a taste of home he began searching for producers of Syrian bread, finding just three bakeries in London and Manchester that supplied the traditional bread to Scotland.

In 2014, he decided to launch Taza Bake. The following year production began and he sold 500 packets of bread each week. Now the company ships thousands of packets per week, with each packet consisting of five flatbreads that are made using no additives or chemicals to restaurants, wholesalers and shops. The firm now employees 14 part-time people.

Abdullah said: “Because of the situation back home I couldn’t get the ovens I needed from Syria so bought directly from a supplier in Lebanon. Once they arrived I spent a few months getting the recipe just right and began selling to local shops and takeaways, using customer feedback to perfect our processes. After the Edinburgh Fringe and Festival in 2015, and with a greater number of Syrians now living in Scotland, sales rocketed. We then began fulfilling orders from Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dundee, Perth, Stirling and Inverness as well as from the North East of England, Manchester and Liverpool. With Heritage Portfolio now on our books I hope more doors will open with other catering outlets. I’m delighted with the success of the business and am very proud to bring a taste of home to the Scottish market.”

Brian Canale, Executive Development Chef of Heritage Portfolio said: “We’re delighted to add Taza Bake breads to our corporate offering. The bakery is home-grown and offers such a unique product that we’re sure our conference clients are going to be thrilled.”

Our Business:

We are a baking factory, distribution company established on August 2014 in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Our operation has started on March 2015.

Our name:

Taza means Fresh, and that is our aim to deliver a freshly baked products on daily basis.

Our Products:

We are specialized in Mediterranean wrap bread (Khobez),

We produce it in different sizes, and different kind of flour (Wheat flour, Whole wheat flour).

As well as Mana'eesh, Fatayer, and Ma'moul,

We are proud that we are currently the first & only producer for these kind of products in Scotland,

Our production line:

Our machineries were shipped to Scotland from thousands of miles away to ensure the production of best quality Khobez. and another production line for Fatayer and Manaeesh,

The production line is considered safe for the environment and for the workers, designed to be suitable for work as per European Standards, and most important it reduces the direct contact between the dough and the humans to the minimum.

Our aim

To supply our freshly baked bread directly to your shop or restaurant all over Scotland, and to sell our bread baked specialities directly to retail customers in Edinburgh and deliver them localy.