Client
Case Study.
Staffline partner
with Hovis.
Client Overview: About Hovis
Hovis is one of the UK’s most recognisable bakery brands, with over 130 years of heritage. Operating across eight bakeries, a flour mill and multiple distribution centres, and employing more than 2,800 colleagues, Hovis manages a complex national supply chain that demands operational efficiency, workforce consistency and dependable delivery at scale.
Background: Staffline’s Partnership with Hovis
Staffline first partnered with Hovis in 2011, supplying flexible labour across multiple locations. Over nearly 15 years, the relationship was built on reliability, strong on-site presence and responsive service - supporting Hovis’s high-volume manufacturing and logistics operations.
In 2021, Hovis chose to trial an alternative workforce supplier. During this period, Staffline maintained open and professional dialogue, staying close to evolving requirements and demonstrating long term commitment to the partnership.
The Opportunity: A Partnership Revisited
In 2024, as Hovis reviewed its workforce strategy, discussions with Staffline reopened - this time shaped by how the offer had evolved.
Staffline demonstrated significant investment in technology-enabled recruitment, automation and workforce management, with solutions already live and operating at scale across other customer sites. At Hovis, this technology now supports all eight locations, with 127+ front-line managers using the system daily to plan shifts, manage bookings and oversee operations.
Alongside this, a renewed focus on quality, consistency and operational standards gave Hovis confidence in both immediate delivery and long-term workforce strategy.
“This wasn’t a future roadmap - the technology
was already live, proven and delivering.”
The Solution: End-to-End Workforce Transformation
Following detailed planning, Hovis confirmed Staffline’s return in August 2025. The transition was carefully managed to ensure continuity while introducing a modern, end-to-end workforce solution.
Automation now underpins the full worker lifecycle — from labour ordering and shift fulfilment to time and attendance and payroll. Facial-recognition clock-in and automated approvals enable payroll completion by 7:00am every Monday, improving accuracy, governance and confidence.
Real-time reporting provides greater visibility of demand, performance and spend, enabling better decision-making and stronger operational control across all sites.
“Automation has delivered greater visibility, stronger governance and cleaner data across every site.”
The Impact: More Time on Site, More Value Delivered
By reducing manual processes and administrative burden, Staffline teams can focus on on-site delivery — supporting operations, solving challenges and maintaining service quality.
- 25–30% increase in bookings managed per colleague
- 80% of out-of-hours bookings automated
The result is a workforce model that is simpler, more transparent and more reliable across multiple locations.
“Automation has enabled teams to manage up to 30% more workforce volume, freeing time to focus on delivery, not administration.”
The Partnership Today
As confidence has grown, the partnership has expanded into additional areas, including permanent recruitment and specialist driving roles — reflecting renewed trust and alignment.
Today, Hovis and Staffline operate as a collaborative, long-term partnership, combining people, process and technology to deliver consistent workforce performance across every site.
Key Outcomes
Hovis | Technology-led workforce delivery at a glance:
8 sites supported across bakery, mill and distribution
127+ front-line managers using automation daily
25–30% productivity increase per Staffline colleague
80% of out-of-hours bookings automated
Conclusion: A Future-Ready Workforce Model
Staffline’s return to Hovis reflects a more modern, effective approach to workforce delivery. By combining smart technology with on-site expertise, the partnership now delivers greater efficiency, visibility and reliability across every site.
Together, Hovis and Staffline have built a simpler, stronger workforce model - ready to support future growth.
