In a significant boost for UK manufacturing, the Magnum Ice Cream Company has unveiled plans for a £50 million investment into its historic factory in Gloucester. This substantial cash injection is earmarked for modernising the plant and significantly ramping up production capacity for beloved brands like Twister, Solero, Viennetta, and Cornetto.
A Sweet Modernisation Plan
The ambitious upgrade programme includes a complete rebuild of the factory's core mix plant and the installation of state-of-the-art blending systems. Crucially, the investment will fund new high-speed production lines specifically for products such as the Twister and Solero, aiming to streamline operations and increase output.
This project is not an isolated effort but forms a key part of a broader, global €350-380 million supply chain transformation programme being undertaken by the world's largest ice-cream company.
Commitment to Gloucester and the UK
Peter ter Kulve, Chief Executive of The Magnum Ice Cream Company, described the move as "a bold step forward" for the business. He emphasised that the investment is a clear signal of the company's long-term commitment to the UK. The project is expected to boost productivity, support future growth, and solidify the site's status as a centre of excellence for innovation, quality, and sustainability.
The announcement carries added significance as parent company Unilever prepares to spin off its ice-cream division into a standalone entity by the end of the year. Jamie Farrell, head of country for the Magnum Ice Cream Company UK&I, stated that this investment reflects their ambition to grow and innovate as they launch the new independent business.
A Pillar of the Local Community
The Gloucester site, founded in 1959, is a local institution and a major employer, supporting nearly 500 jobs. It holds the distinguished title of being the second-largest ice cream factory in Europe, trailing only a plant in Heppenheim, Germany.
The factory's production scale is immense:
- Nearly three million Calippos per week
- Two million Viennettas per week
- One million Ben & Jerry’s tubs per week
The site even boasts a world record, having created the world’s longest Viennetta at 22.7 metres back in 2007.
Local political figures have welcomed the news. Alex McIntyre, Labour MP for Gloucester, expressed his pride, having previously celebrated the city as the birthplace of Viennetta in his maiden speech to Parliament. He noted it was great to see a continued commitment to innovation in the city, affirming Wall’s status as a Gloucester institution.
