This significant investment marks the latest initiative in a series of global site upgrades and contributes to The Magnum Ice Cream Company’s €350-380 million supply chain transformation programme.
Furthermore, this announcement aligns with Unilever’s plans to finalize the demerger of its ice cream business by year-end.
Located in Gloucester, this factory is known for producing iconic brands such as Viennetta, Twister, Solero, and Magnum. The £50 million project will significantly enhance production capacity, modernize infrastructure, and improve operational efficiency.
The upgrade entails a complete rebuild of the factory’s mix plant, the installation of advanced blending systems, and the launch of new high-speed production lines.
According to the company, these enhancements aim to achieve a targeted 50% increase in output by 2027 compared to a 2023 baseline.
Established in 1959, the Gloucester factory stands as the largest ice cream facility in the UK and the second largest in Europe, following Unilever’s factory in Heppenheim, Germany.
The site currently employs almost 500 people, and part of this £50 million investment will focus on upskilling programs for engineering and operations teams.
Annually, the factory produces over 600 million ice creams, with more than 80% targeting the UK market.
In a statement, Peter ter Kulve, CEO of The Magnum Ice Cream Company, remarked: “This £50 million investment in our Gloucester facility is a key milestone in our global supply chain transformation programme and a bold step forward for our business.”
“Our investment is a clear signal of our long-term commitment to the UK and will not only boost productivity and support growth but also ensure the site remains a centre of excellence for innovation, quality and sustainability as we enter our next chapter.”
Additionally, Jamie Farrell, head of country UK&I at The Magnum Ice Cream Company, stated: “As we prepare to launch the Magnum Ice Cream Company as a standalone business, this investment reflects our ambition to grow, innovate and continue delighting consumers in the UK and beyond through our much-loved brands.”
“Gloucester will play a central role in that journey, and we are proud to be investing in its future. The investment in new state-of-the-art lines for family favorites like Twister and Solero, along with sustainability upgrades including a 5% energy efficiency gain and a 20% reduction in food waste, demonstrates our renewed commitment to innovation and responsible growth.”
Every week, the Gloucester site produces nearly three million Calippos, two million Viennettas, and one million Ben & Jerry’s tubs. Notably, the site team holds the record for the world’s longest Viennetta, created during a community challenge in 2007, stretching an impressive 22.7 meters.
This investment news comes on the heels of a series of public disputes between Ben & Jerry’s founders and Unilever, coupled with an announcement stating that Anuradha Mittal is unfit to serve as the B&J’s chair.
