Pie manufacturer, Goodtime Foods, has purchased a manufacturing plant in Christchurch, expanding its operation to meet increased demand for its pies and enable expansion in the South Island.

Goodtime is one of the North Island’s biggest retail pie suppliers, providing baked products to service stations, convenience stores, schools, cafes, and caterers.

Based in Sockburn, Christchurch, the new bakery is roughly a third of the size of Goodtime’s Napier operation.

The bakery has been used by Goodtime Foods for up to 10 years, manufacturing Goodtime products under licence. The company will now  invest heavily in improvements to bring it into line with the Goodtime business model.

“We have had a great 10 year relationship with the bakery in the South Island, but it is bulging at the seams. We need to put our technology, systems and processes in place and the best way to do that was to own the business,” said Goodtime CEO, Phil Pollett.

“The current owners had decided that it was time to retire so the timing is perfect. We have the North Island covered in distribution terms, and with these intended changes, we will be able to take the business to the next level for our South Island customers.”

The South Island bakery has grown by 300 per cent since 2011.

“Although the bakery has been producing pies and savouries for us for more than a decade and we’re familiar with its operation, it is clear it had almost outgrown its equipment and space to meet the increased demand.

“Significant investment is required to increase its capacity. All South Island staff have been employed so it will be business as usual with improvements taking place progressively over the coming months,” Pollett said.