Objective
Khulisa Management Services identified an opportunity to revitalize the frozen bakery sector in
southern Africa by facilitating the acquisition and turnaround of a struggling bakery operation from
Bridor (an international bakery manufacturing and retail giant), amidst a challenging market in
southern Africa where a key competitor, a frozen dough manufacturer, was going bankrupt.
Khulisa led the buyout process and orchestrated the merger of multiple companies to consolidate
operations into a single company, to stabilize the firm, preserve jobs, and establish a competitive
presence in the frozen baked goods market.
Approach
Khulisa adopted a holistic transformation strategy to turnaround the struggling bakery operations
and create a competitive frozen baked goods supplier in southern Africa. The key elements of the
approach included:
- Management and Strategic Realignment: Khulisa assembled a new leadership team to guide the
company’s transformation, focusing on long-term sustainability and market expansion. The
strategic vision was redefined to move beyond a fragmented operation into a single, streamlined
business with a clear focus on wholesale distribution. - Brand and Manufacturing Optimization: The brand was repositioned to reflect premium quality,
aligning with international standards and European-inspired baking techniques. A state-of-the-
art production process was introduced, combining traditional baking methods with advanced
technology to ensure product consistency, efficiency, and scalability. New product development
was prioritized, expanding the range to include butter croissants, Danish pastries, artisanal
breads, and baguettes, catering to the growing demand for high-quality frozen baked goods. - Human Resources Restructuring: The company underwent an organizational overhaul,
restructuring roles and responsibilities to improve operational efficiency. New training programs
were introduced to upskill employees, ensuring alignment with the company’s new direction and
production techniques. A performance-driven culture was established, emphasizing efficiency,
teamwork, and customer-centric service delivery. - Capital Infusion: Khulisa secured additional capital investment, ensuring the financial stability of
the newly merged entity. The company streamlined cost structures while improving operational
efficiency, creating a financially sustainable model for growth. Strategic partnerships were
formed with suppliers to secure cost-effective raw materials while maintaining high product
quality. - Market Focus Shift: The business pivoted from retail-focused operations to a wholesale
distribution model, targeting large foodservice chains and hospitality businesses. A strong
logistics and distribution network was developed, enabling efficient supply chain management and wider market reach. The company established direct relationships with Starbucks, - McDonald’s, and Pizza Hut, solidifying its role as a key player in the industry.
- Through this structured approach, Khulisa successfully transformed the struggling bakery into Le
- Petit/DF Bakery, a thriving and competitive supplier of frozen baked goods in Southern Africa.
Impact
Through Khulisa’s intervention, the struggling bakery was successfully transitioned into Le Petit/DF
Bakery, now the third-largest supplier of frozen baked products in southern Africa. Le Petit/DF
Bakery offers a diverse range of locally produced, European-inspired baked goods, and has secured
major contracts with Starbucks, McDonald’s, and Pizza Hut, establishing itself as a key player in the
region’s foodservice industry.
The transformation not only salvaged the bakery operations but also strengthened the supply chain,
preserved employment, and positioned Le Petit / DF Bakery for sustainable growth in the
competitive frozen baked goods market.