An apprenticeship study on Antz the bread factory

Date

2010

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness Management

College

College of Economics and Management (CEM)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Carolyn V. Melgar

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Abstract

This study entitled “ An Apprenticeship Study on Antz The Bread Factory” has explored the business functions of the company namely the production, marketing, finance and human resources. Antz the Bread Factory is part of the AHD Food Corporation which started in distributing loaf breads and polvoron in 2002. Antz is now a food business venture that produces unique quality line of bread and rice meals in various mall outlets in the urban area. The general objective of the study was to gain hands-on experiences and insights on the operations of Antz The Bread Factory. The specific objectives of the study are: (1) to perform agribusiness-related operations in Antz The Bread Factory; (2) to compare the activities done in Antz The Bread Factory with standard practices and explain any deviation; (3) to identify and evaluate the problems and/ or opportunities pertaining to these activities; and (4) to formulate feasible recommendation for more efficient operations of the company. The study was conducted in the Antz The Bread Factory commissary in Imus, Cavite and the two outlets located in SM Sta. Rosa City, Laguna and Makati City. It started on July 1, 2009 up to September 4, 2009. A minimum of 160 hours was rendered in the business through actual management related work. The 160 hours was equally divided among the four business functional areas namely production, marketing, finance and human resources. The Antz Production Department is composed of the Commissary Unit located in Imus, Cavite and the two Antz outlets in Makati and SM City Sta. Rosa. The commissary’s main activities are purchasing of raw materials, preparing the bread premixes and delivering it to the store outlets. The outlets bake the bread and distribute it to the customers. There is no marketing department as of present but still there are marketing and promotions done by the company. The finance department manages and controls the company’s finances such as budgets and expenses; monitoring of cash inflows and outflows; ensuring all transactions in the bank; and processing and releasing of employees’ salary. The human resource department is responsible for the hiring of employees, providing benefits to the employees, training and development, and keeping important data and documents. The standards in the industry as stated in the “Revised Guidelines on Current Good Manufacturing Practice in Manufacturing, Packing, Repacking, or Holding of Food” as per Administrative Order (AO) No. 153 series of 2004 on wide range and detail policies on food manufacturing was compared to the activities of Antz the Bread Factory. Generally, Antz complies with the current good manufacturing practice in manufacturing, packing, repacking, or holding food as specifically on detaining adequate knowledgeable personnel, production heads and supervisors; ensuring clean premises and equipment used in the food manufacturing operations both in the commissary and store outlets in

Makati and SM City Sta. Rosa; on having defined policy on personnel hygiene, and sanitation principles on the production processes and quality controls at the production areas. To further ensure that the guidelines on cGMP are implemented and continue improving Antz production activities at par with the demands in the market, it must be ensured that the company has capable personnel, continuing training from qualified individuals must be observed; documentation on quality control and assurance system; and most specially defining specific production processes and critical control points from purchasing, repacking, delivery, storage preparation, baking and cooking of different products. The company is low in its sales and it incurs negative profits. The company has managed to come up with five Antz outlets, but three of these outlets have poor location and thus have been ceased for operation. These three outlets that have been closed contributed to the poor profit results that the company is experiencing. The company’s strengths are their premium line of breads and the financial support from their sister company, Advance Communication System, Inc. (ACS). On the other hand, the company’s weaknesses are its continuous incurring of capital deficiencies and accumulated losses and, it is having low sales. There is a huge opportunity for this business because 42.7% of annual salary of Filipinos are spent on food. This implies that food business can always have its success given the right approach. The threats for this company is that there are many cheaper substitutes in the market and the competitors are not only bread company’s but also fastfood chains since Antz also offers rice meals, thus making the competition stiffer. In relation to the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats that were discussed, there are three alternative strategies that were considered. These are market penetration strategy, franchising strategy, and market development strategy. It is recommended for the company to pursue the third alternative strategy which is market development strategy. Antz will expand its business through putting up new store outlets in places where their target markets are located. With this strategy, Antz can acquire more market and new market as well.

Language

English

Location

UPLB College of Economics and Management (CEM)

Document Type

Thesis

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