Major £50 million investment for Magnum’s Gloucester ice cream facilities

Major investment from the Magnum Ice Cream Company totalling £50 million, has been placed into enhancing its production capacity at the firm’s UK factory in Gloucester, reports Neill Barston.

Moreover, the latest tranche of funding comes as part of wider strategic improvements across its global operations, involving a €350-380 million supply chain transformation programme.

As the company noted, this will see delivery of not only increased production capacity, but greater manufacturing efficiencies for its Gloucester site, making flagship brands including Vienetta, Twister, Solero and Magnum.

Significantly, the investment is centred on a complete rebuild of the factory’s mix plant, installation of advanced blending systems and the commissioning of new high-speed production lines for classic products such as Twister and Solero. It is anticipated that this will provide the core of a 50% increase in output within the next two years.

Furthermore, its infrastructure improvements will also reportedly include replacing 32,000 m² of roofing and constructing a 1,200 m² spare parts store to ensure operational continuity.

Notably, there will be extra environmental benefits of the upgrades, with energy efficiency improving by around 5% annually, as well as food waste reducing by 20% year-on-year.

First established in 1959, the present Gloucester site was commissioned back in 1985, and is considered within the top three largests ice cream factory in Europe, currently producing over 600 million ice creams every year, with over 80% of this serving the UK ice cream market.

Every week, Gloucester produces nearly 3 million Calippos and 2 million Viennettas, in addition to 1 million Ben & Jerry’s tubs. Never shy of a challenge, the site team holds the record for the world’s longest Viennetta, measuring an incredible 22.7 metres made during a community challenge in 2007.

Notably, its UK manufacturing facilities have continued to hold a significant place in the company’s overall operations since opening back in 1959. Today, the site employs nearly 500 people, supporting  hundreds more through local contractor and suppliers’ programmes.

In addition, the investment supports employee upskilling programmes for engineering and operations teams within the business.

Peter ter Kulve, CEO of The Magnum Ice Cream Company, welcomed the manufacturing boost.

He said: “This £50m 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, support growth but also ensure the site remains a centre of excellence for innovation, quality, and sustainability as we enter our next chapter.”

In addition, Jamie Farrell, Head of Country for the Magnum Ice Cream Company UK&I shared his enthusiasm for the project, that he believed would also bring some notable sustainability gains.

He explained: “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 favourites like Twister and Solero, along with sustainability upgrades including a 5% energy efficiency gain and 20% reduction in food waste, demonstrates our renewed commitment to innovation and responsible growth.”