Direct Table Foods Ltd have two factories, one in Cuffley, Hertfordshire and one at Bury St Edmunds. The company slices and packs bacon; both their ‘own brand’ and also products for major supermarkets. Originally founded in the famous Smithfield market, Direct Table developed a fine reputation for sausages and other meat products and were one of first sole suppliers to the supermarket, Sainsbury’s.

In late 1995 Logistics Manager, David Bull, was looking to update the existing Time Link clocking system which calculated the attendance hours of the 350 strong workforce. The existing system was a free-standing unit and was "growing tired and old".

After reviewing systems from Blick, Time Link and Tensor, Dave bought a WinTA system from Tensor because "Tensor had more features than Blick or Time Link and the Tensor Smart Cards better suited the environment of a food company". The company decided the main advantage of Tensor over the competitors was "Tensor’s combined Time & Attendance and Access Control system ". Tensor installed a WinTA system including Access Control using a T1080 Smart Card scanner in early 1996. There were no problems with the installation of the hardware or software. David Bull was trained on WinTA at Tensor’s training centre in Hail Weston and reported the quality of the training as "Good".

Almost 10 years later the system is used daily for Time & Attendance monitoring, planning and accounting for absences and holidays and also for security, to limit access to the offices. Direct Tables’ HR and Payroll Manager, Chris Porter, explained to the Tensor reporter, "WinTA is extremely easy-to-use and the product is reliable. Tensor’s Smart Cards are particularly good". Direct Table intend to upgrade their system to the latest Tensor hardware and software later this year which will also include an automatic fire roll call linked to their fire alarm system and adding extra access control security.

Direct Table have used the Tensor Helpdesk and described how they felt as "Very happy with service overall" . Over the years Tensor’s operations department has needed to effect repairs to the hardware, and the quality of their work was described as "Good"

When asked what he liked most about Tensor, Chris said "Ease of use" and summing up Tensor in a few words "an excellent company to deal with" ; and would he recommend Tensor to other companies? — a resounding "Yes"

Direct Table was founded by the Stanton family in the early 1950’s, trading out of the famous Smithfield meat market in central London, the business soon earned a good reputation for their quality products and attention to customers’ requirements.

The Stanton family then recognised the potential of focusing on bacon products and acquired their first bacon factory, supplying sides of bacon to retail and food serve companies.

By the early 1980’s Direct Table were significant bacon suppliers and became one of the first manufactures to provide pre-packed bacon to Sainsbury’s. This maked a turning point for the company, because since then they have concentrated on developing a wide variety of bacon products for the major multiples.

After a successful Management Buy-Out , the business acquired Lark Valley Foods of Bury St Edmunds, a company that had not been trading long but which had already established an excellent for quality British Bacon, particularly in its Suffolk Crown” brand.

As of September 2003, Direct Table Foods have become a wholly owned subsidiary ot TiCan, one of only two bacon cooperatives in Denmark.

Today: The Bacon Suppliers of Choice Today, Direct Table Foods employ 500 staff across their two sites in Cuffley and Bury St Edmunds and processes up to 600 tonnes of bacon every week. Their turnover looks set to top £70 million this year, amking them a significant force in the UK market

Direct Table Foods Ltd,
Sopers Road,
Cuffley,
Hertfordshire
EN6 6RY
Tel: 01992 708400
Fax: 01992 708423