Genesis Bakery Rebrands Amid Company Expansion

Co L'Derry bakery Genesis has rebranded amid an ongoing £750,000 investment and recruitment drive.

Formerly known as Genesis Crafty, the Magherafelt firm unveiled new products, new recipes and a whole new look.

The company also dropped the 'crafty' and changed its strapline to Genesis - Baking it better since '68.

Belfast design agency Thought Collective was commissioned to manage the rebrand following the announcement that Genesis is to expand and launch the major recruitment plan with 35 additional staff.

The new identity is also being supported with an improved, expanded product offering, as Paul Allen, executive chairman at Genesis explains: "We have been listening to customer feedback and have introduced a fresh, bold contemporary new look for the Genesis brand range. Our customers love our products' traditional credentials and with new eye-catching packaging, they will be able to see exactly what they are getting.

"Our extensive customer research also led us to develop new recipes, with an increased shelf life and even better taste. The range, which includes delicious wheaten bread, pancakes, scones, soda bread, hot cross buns, coconut and iced fingers, brioche rolls and baps, has been rolling into stores over the last few weeks. A revamped cake range is also planned for the new year which will see new lines sitting alongside the company's established favourites."

JP Lyttle, commercial director at Genesis, explained how the rebrand fits within the company's wider business strategy: "We are committed to maintaining our high-quality standards and developing innovative product ranges. It is this strive for excellence that has assisted us in winning a range of significant new contracts over the last 12 months. We have successfully reasserted Genesis' position as an established industry leader and this refreshed identity, supported by an extensive sampling campaign, new creative point of sale, digital, consumer and trade PR, will undoubtedly further build market share."

Mr Lyttle continued: "Genesis is also driving innovation in terms of our packaging. The company is currently trialling recyclable film across the range with a view to having 100% recyclable packaging by early 2020."

Sam Bell, creative director with Thought Collective added: "Genesis is well established for creating quality products; a clear leader in the sector. Thought Collective's job was to turn that position into a tangible brand. 'Baking it better since '68' was conceived to encapsulate the company's heritage as well as its vision for the future - it's the rally cry for a team of innovative master bakers. Strategic copywriting, along with succinct naming and powerful typography have delivered strong foundations for the brand as we move towards phase two."

Genesis products are sold in more than 700 stores across Northern Ireland. The brand has an impressive 50-year heritage and the use of premium ingredients ensures customers get a fantastic product each time they buy a Genesis branded product. The bakery also produces a range of bread and cakes for many of the UK's largest and most prestigious retailers including Marks & Spencer and Waitrose.

The company currently employs more than 350 staff in its Magherafelt premises with further recruitment scheduled in the next 12 months to keep pace with the level of ongoing expansion that the business is experiencing.