Cameron Kim
Hayden Jankoski
Karen Moshi
Griffin Camens
Loyola Marymount University
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Aspire Bakeries is a baking company focused on frozen baked goods. Aspire Bakeries produces baked goods for multiple channels within the food industry including, retail, foodservice, and convenience stores. The company offers a diverse portfolio of baked goods including artisan breads, pastries, cookies, donuts, and muffins. La Brea Bakery, and Otis Spunkmeyer are two of Aspire Bakeries’ leading brands. With 13 bakery locations across the United States and Canada, Aspire Bakeries continues to strengthen its impact on the industry, while also limiting its environmental impact.
Aspire Bakeries has demonstrated innovation by focusing on understanding customer and consumer needs, staying attuned to the latest food and flavor trends, and developing deep customer partnerships. The company’s innovative approach is driven by a deep commitment to meeting customer and exceeding expectations. Aspire Bakeries strives to be the best in the categories they compete in, ensuring excellence across their product lines. Under the leadership of CEO Tyson Yu, Aspire Bakeries has embraced cutting-edge advancements by streamlining production processes and building capabilities across its 13 bakeries, adopting new digital tools and technologies to enhance efficiency and cybersecurity, and introducing initiatives that have improved employee retention. These measures showcase a forward-thinking approach to operational excellence and workforce engagement. Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) impacts are considered throughout the innovation process.
One example of an environmental innovation is the Bloom Fuel Cells used at their Van Nuys, California facility, enabling 75% of the bakery’s electricity to be generated on-site using a cleaner electrochemical process. This innovation has decreased reliance on the local power grid, showcasing Aspire Bakeries' commitment to sustainable and efficient operations.
The Bloom Fuel Cell project was implemented in 2022 as a part of Aspire Bakeries’ broader sustainability strategy. Aspire Bakeries is currently focused on reducing Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 46% by 2030 (from a 2019 baseline). The company’s 2023 Sustainability Report says “CO2 emissions are defined as Scope 1 and Scope 2. Scope 1 emissions are direct emissions from company-owned and controlled resources. Scope 2 emissions are indirect emissions resulting from our operations, generally from electricity purchased through a utility provider. Ashley Hoover, Director of Sustainability said in a public interview about the Van Nuys fuel cells that there are “utility cost savings and the reliability of generating [electricity] on site. “The fuel cells also don’t combust because of the chemical reaction that’s happening in them. So, it’s a cleaner way to generate electricity.” Ashley spearheaded this initiative but says that “a lot of people came together to make this project happen.”
At Aspire Bakeries sustainability is a team effort! The sustainability team championed the fuel cell project, with support from the executive leadership team, alongside engineering, finance, operations, and the Van Nuys bakery team.
Aspire Bakeries is focused on being a good corporate citizen. This means the company is always looking for ways to reduce its environmental impact. There are programs in place to reduce carbon emissions and non-recipe water usage, and the company is also committed to diverting as much waste as possible from landfill, with a current diversion rate over 95%!
Aspire Bakeries’ core values of Integrity, Ownership, Customer Focus, Creativity, and Care motivate its associates. These core values play a crucial role in the decisions made by Aspire Bakeries’ executive leaders and help drive the innovation the company has proudly taken on.
The fuel cell project is a good example of Aspire Bakeries efforts to reduce its environmental impact. Producing electricity onsite reduces the amount of electricity lost in transmission, compared to traditional power generation and distribution systems. Additionally, rising energy costs and concerns over grid reliability inspired Aspire Bakeries to find innovative, self-sufficient solutions like the Bloom Fuel Cell technology.
By generating 75% of the electricity for its Van Nuys bakery on-site, the company increased energy reliability while reducing utility costs. This ensures smoother operations even during grid instability.
Aspire Bakeries’ innovations contribute positively to the surrounding communities. In Van Nuys for example, by reducing demand on local power grids, the company enhances energy availability for residential and other commercial users in the Los Angeles area. The company supports the local workforce by creating production and professional jobs. Employee-focused initiatives, such as efforts to improve retention, also reinforce Aspire Bakeries’ role as a socially responsible employer.
The integration of Bloom Fuel Cells in Van Nuys reflects a commitment to reducing environmental impact by eliminating smog-forming particulates in the energy generation process. It’s also part of a larger plan to reduce carbon emissions company wide. The broader sustainability efforts have resulted in an 11.5% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions since 2019.
In the short term, Aspire Bakeries has benefited from increased production reliability, improved community goodwill, and immediate cost savings. Over the long term, these initiatives position the company to achieve its 2030 sustainability goals and secure a competitive edge in the market by aligning with consumer demand for environmentally responsible practices.
Organizations that innovate must first evaluate where they can improve. After they identify where they can improve they can adopt a growth mindset while also considering how to mitigate impact. Companies like Aspire Bakeries can differentiate themselves from competitors as an ethical, environmentally conscious organization.
Aspire Bakeries is committed to achieving business success whilst promoting sustainable development. With its innovative practices, the company helps ensure the delivery of high-quality, delicious, and ethically produced foods. Aspire Bakeries also demonstrates a commitment to its employees by offering a comprehensive benefits package and by providing opportunities to grow within the company. Aspire Bakeries limits its environmental impact through responsible resource use, and continues to enhance its sustainability program in alignment with customer expectations.
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Ashley Hoover, Director of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability
Aspire Bakeries is a leading North American baking company, committed to its efforts of quality baking. The B2B company offers a diverse range of artisan breads, pastries, cookies, and muffins. La Brea Bakery, Otis Spunkmeyer, and Oakrun Farm Bakery are some of the well known brands Aspire Bakeries owns. With 13 bakery locations across the United States and Canada, Aspire Bakeries continues to strengthen its impact on the industry, people and planet.