Thursday 12th December 2024
Nice to meet Yeo Mat, the chap decking our halls with dairy this Christmas
Meet Mat, our Operations Director at Yeo, whose production and logistics teams have been working hard to ensure every fridge is stocked with great food this festive season and beyond. After all, Christmas isn’t complete without a little bit of dairy, right?
While Father Christmas might have his workshop of elves, Mat has his good-food-making co-owners (our West-country staff who part own 20% of the business), who have been busy prepping for the festive season ahead.
Curious about how our team gets ready? Read on to discover the behind-the-scenes magic here at Yeo.
1. So Mat, when does planning typically begin for the festive season here at Yeo?
No matter what time of the year it is, we are always super busy behind the scenes here at Yeo. Nearly 1,700 people work across our five manufacturing sites in Somerset and Devon. The teams are constantly reimagining how we work – upgrading equipment, fine-tuning systems and plotting our future demands.
We have been strategically planning stock levels months in advance, ensuring that when the festive rush hits, everyone can grab their favourite Yeo Valley Organic products without a moment’s hesitation.
2. Are there any specific changes made to the production schedule to accommodate the Christmas demand?
Christmas is our unique moment to break from our usual 24/7 operations. It's the one time of year we pause our continuous production, giving all our co-owners a chance to enjoy uninterrupted time with their loved ones.
We understand the festive spirit extends beyond our walls. That's why we try hard to be flexible with balancing team members' time with our commitment to all our millions of households who purchase a little bit of Yeo every day. It's more than just a production schedule—it's about people, connection, and shared moments.
Preparing for the Christmas shutdown is a critical logistical challenge. We carefully plan our stock levels to cover the production pause, ensuring we meet customer needs during the holiday and the start of January—a time when health-conscious consumers are eager for nutritious delicious products like our yogurt and soup.
3. So, what is the key to a successful Christmas period?
The team! We are massively fortunate to have such committed and capable teams across our operations which is never more important than throughout the Christmas period and for which I couldn’t be more grateful.
4. Do you have any Christmas traditions with operations?
Something that always goes down a treat is the annual Christmas lunch. Wherever our co-owners are based, they take time out to enjoy a festive meal together. Members of the senior team join in by serving the food and showing their appreciation for the team. And who doesn’t love another Christmas roast dinner before the big day?
Another highlight is our annual Christmas Raffle, held at all our operations-based sites in Somerset and Devon. With big prizes and enthusiastic participation, the raffles bring an extra dose of festive fun – a tradition we’re all proud of.
5. And finally, what is your favourite Yeo Valley Organic product to enjoy over the festive period?
Christmas leftovers might just be my favourite part of the festive period. A good turkey curry topped with a dollop of our Greek Recipe yogurt cannot be beaten!
