From humble beginnings to a century of excellence, Fayaz Bakers Limited continues to rise leveraging GS1 standards to drive innovation, consistency and trust in every bite.

For over a century, Fayaz Bakers Limited has been a beloved part of Kenya’s baking heritage, a household name that has stood the test of time. Founded in the early 1900s, what began as a humble bakery has grown into a symbol of consistency, tradition and trust across generations. The company has been a part of everyday life in Kenya be it on breakfast tables, in school lunchboxes and at family events. From bread, buns, cakes, cookies, snacks and soft drinks, it offers a wide range of products that people enjoy across the country. The name stands for more than just baked products, it stands for quality, care and a strong promise to serve its consumers with pride.

   

Rising Through the Tough Dough

In my interview with Umair from the company, he shared that behind every sweet bun and golden loaf is a story of hard work and constant learning. Building a trusted bakery that has lasted over a century has not been without its challenges. He spoke about the early days long before digital tools when tracking stock was difficult, records were kept manually, and mistakes were easy to miss. As the company grew and began supplying both kiosks and major supermarkets, issues like inconsistent barcoding, packaging concerns and product tracing became more noticeable. He went ahead to also point out the ongoing challenges in the bakery industry today which include stiff competition, meeting different retailer expectations and also ensuring their products reach the shelves fresh and on time, yet through it all, the company has stayed true to its mission earning trust, learning with every step and rising to meet every challenge.

A Better Recipe for Success

In 2012, the company took a big step forward by adopting global product standards through GS1 Kenya, a move that brought more order, accuracy and confidence to their daily operations and since then, there has been a major shift in how products are packed, labelled, tracked and delivered. From the baking floor to supermarket shelves, every stage now runs more smoothly, and their stock is now easier to follow, deliveries are organised, and the chances of mix-ups or delays have gone down. With the use of the Global Trade Item Number (GTIN), each product now has a unique code that helps identify it clearly in the stores. The use of Global Location Number (GLN) makes it easier to track and trace where their goods are stored or sent to, helping manage their distribution centres and delivery points more accurately.

For transport and shipping, the Serial Shipping Container Code (SSCC) allows boxes and pallets to be traced from the factory to the store, reducing the risk of loss and improving delivery planning. Thanks to these changes, items are now easily recognised in both small shops and large retail chains. Retailers and suppliers trust their labelling and customers feel more confident in what they are consuming. The use of global standards has brought a new level of speed, reliability and professionalism to their supply chain allowing the same freshness and quality to reach more people, more efficiently.

Freshness You Can Trust

For a trusted household name, food safety goes hand in hand with the promise of quality. With so many families using these products every day, clear labelling and compliant packaging are key. By aligning with GS1 standards, each product is traceable, properly labelled and meets the necessary safety checks. This not only keeps shelves organised but also gives retailers and customers peace of mind knowing they are getting goods they can trust every single time.

Spreading Sweetness, One Step Ahead

Staying ahead in today’s fast-moving bakery world means embracing change and using technology to work smarter. The team is now focused on upgrading their systems and moving from linear barcodes to two-dimensional barcodes that hold more product information. In fact, the industry has set a goal to enable 2Dimensional barcode adoption at retail point-of-sale (POS) worldwide by the end of 2027, complementing the existing 1Dimension barcodes. While the pace of this adoption will vary across regions, retailers and brand owners must begin preparing now to ensure a smooth transition. With this in mind, efforts are already underway to meet this global milestone.

In the days to come, customers will be able to scan a pack and instantly see what it contains, where it came from and when it was baked. This is just one way they are improving transparency and building trust. Alongside this, they are exploring digital inventory systems to cut down waste, eco-friendly packaging to meet rising demand for sustainability and healthier product options as more people look for better ingredients. By keeping up with these trends, they are not only meeting expectations but also setting the pace for what a modern bakery can be.

Baking with Purpose, Growing with Heart

Choosing to follow international standards has helped this bakery stay ready for the future while holding onto what matters most which is quality, care and the people they serve. Every change they have made shows their commitment to doing things right, growing wisely and always putting their customers first. With nearly a century of experience, they remain a great example of how a local business can grow with grace, lead with purpose and still keep the warmth that made them special in the first place. Here is to Fayaz Bakers baking with soul, growing with a vision and serving Kenya with heart.