Honeywell empowers SMEs, trains bakers

Honeywell Flour Mills Plc has restated its determination to continue empowering small businesses, saying they were the agents of growth for the economy.
Its Managing Director, Lanre Jaiyeola who stated this during the weekend in Lagos, at the 34th Certificate Award Ceremony of the Honeywell Baking School, said the company would continue to impact positively on the society through its laudable corporate social responsibility initiatives.

While listing empowering of bakers as part of efforts by the company to ensure success of SMEs, he said Honeywell Flour Mills recognises that Nigerian bakers need a broad mix of skills.

He noted that for over a decade, the company has committed resources to the training of over 446 Master Bakers from different parts of the country in 34 regular courses and one executive course.

Honeywell’s vision, he said, “Is driven by the understanding of the impacts small and medium scale businesses can have in our society as engines of job creations and enablers of wealth distributions of which the baking industry represents, being one of the largest SME in terms of number and size in the country”.

While explaining details of the training, he said, “the Honeywell Baking School is more than baking. It is a place where bakers from different cultures, groups, religions and regions meet to learn and share ideas of modern baking practices.

“Besides learning the chemistry of baking ingredients mix for great taste during bread production, they also learn strategies on how to make products available and visible on the shelf of retailers.

He urged the beneficiaries to apply knowledge gained to distinguish themselves from the pack, saying, “The more you know, the smarter and faster you can go.That is why we set up the Baking School to equip and empower bakers with modern baking skills by exploring the art, science and commerce of baking so that bakers can run their businesses more professionally and profitably. We believe this is the best way to give back to the society”.