Sweet Success: How Fishbowl helped Niche Bakers scale

NAB’s 2025 business research report revealing SMEs will this year invest big in AI-driven tech, unlocking new growth opportunities.

As we settle into the new year, the NAB’s recent research report reveals Australian SMEs have big plans in 2025 to invest in new AI-driven technology to boost efficiency, productivity and competitiveness.

Three-quarters of the 600 SMEs surveyed expect their cost of doing business to increase in 2025, and one-third plan to invest in new AI technology to meet these challenges.

Simon Jupe, Australian Managing Director of inventory management software company Fishbowl, which last year launched its AI capability, emphasises the opportunity for business growth.

“With the right tools, even the most ambitious goals can be achieved,” said Simon. “The arrival of AI technology offers fresh hope to overcome tough industry times by making business even more efficient.

“Business owners are keenly aware of its potential to help them grow, thrive and adapt,” Simon continued. “AI tools for inventory management, for example, speed up processes, reduce operational errors and improve communication with customers.

“While we’re all used to technologies evolving, AI is more of a leap forward. With our clients we’re already seeing significant financial and operational gains, not to mention improvements in business culture when everything runs more smoothly.

Growing pains to growing gains with inventory management fix

One such business reaping the rewards of AI-driven inventory management is Niche Bakers. Rapid expansion saw the once-fledgling food processor struggle to maintain efficiency as its product range grew exponentially.

“Niche Bakers was exactly the kind of business we excel at supporting through challenging transitions,” Simon explains. “They went from selling a handful of products nationally to managing over 50 different cakes and desserts.”

Jeff Wood, Co-Owner of Niche Bakers, recalls the growing pains that made change inevitable.

“We started with cookies, then we got into cakes and bars and more,” said Jeff. “We needed a smarter way to manage it all. Fishbowl added a whole new dimension.”

Fishbowl unites a team with right inventory management for business growth

As Niche scaled up, employees felt the strain of outdated processes. Staff across Niche now share their relief at how much easier their jobs are with Fishbowl’s introduction.

“When I started, there were three or four major products and now there are over 50,” said Ashley Taylor, a Customer Service Specialist. “The customer base has grown so much and the product base has changed so much, I was doing all my orders on different spreadsheets. Now it’s all centralised.”

Ron Wataszko, Niche’s Inventory Manager, says that problem solving and future planning is where he gets the biggest wins.

“Fishbowl allows me to look at the whole inventory and focus strictly on those items that I’m going to be short on and allows me to address those issues before they affect production,” said Ron. “Timing is important. Running over is not acceptable. With Fishbowl I can see what’s going to be happening in the future. For me that’s a big advantage.”

Ensuring quality and traceability at scale

For Niche, with growth came the need for stricter protocols to accommodate the bigger clients’ requirements. Niche Quality Assurance Manager, Jennifer Rudkin, now finds great confidence in her role with Fishbowl’s technology.

“Everything we put into a product we have to trace,” said Jennifer. “If one of our suppliers contacted us with an issue with one of these products, we have to be able to find that. We now can in the span of minutes, rather than in a span of hours.”

Fishbowl says ROI is clear on AI, but look before you leap

Fishbowl’s Simon Jupe continues to explain that excitement in AI technologies can be balanced with caution by keeping in mind proven ROI before taking the next step.

“It’s exciting to be in Australia now, where a hopeful outlook has inspired an innovation-first mindset that has embraced cutting-edge technology like AI,” said Simon. “With such a groundswell of tech adoption, it’s reasonable to expect that those who don’t adopt quickly may find themselves left behind.

“Good research will help business owners rise to the new challenge,” continued Simon. “The best AI tech has been building for a number of years and those who can already demonstrate great ROI can be distinguished from those at the early phases that may not be as cost effective.

“Fishbowl is excited to be at the forefront of that change and able to confidently offer our customers this new technology.”

Watch the interview to hear more about Niche Bakers transformational journey with Fishbowl OR Want to learn more about how AI is shaping the food and drink industry? Click here to download our free e-Book: “Food Manufacturing 2025: AI Technology Drives Inventory Innovation”