Magnum Ice Cream Company to invest £50m in ‘Home of Wall’s’ revamp
This investment ice cream company is the latest in a series of site upgrades around the world
The future of Gloucester as the home of Wall’s ice cream has been secured as The Magnum Ice Cream Company (TMICC) has today (November 24) announced the details of a £50m upgrade to its Gloucester factory.
This investment by the world’s largest ice cream company is the latest in a series of site upgrades around the world as part of the company’s more than £300-million supply chain transformation programme.
This upgrade will significantly increase production capacity, modernise infrastructure, and enhance operational efficiency at the Gloucester site – home to the UK production of iconic ice cream products including Viennetta, Twister, Solero, and Magnum.
Earlier this year, Gloucester City Council planners gave the go-ahead for new buildings and a replacement mix plant facility at their site off Corinium Avenue in Barnwood.
The upgrade includes a complete rebuild of the factory’s mix plant, installation of advanced blending systems and the commission of new high-speed production lines for classic products such as Twister and Solero.
The improvements will help increase output by 50 per cent by 2027.
The major investment has been enthusiastically welcomed by investment minister Jason Stockwood and city MP Alex McIntyre who visited the plant on Friday (November 21).
“Today’s announcement will not only modernise and significantly increase production at a key manufacturing facility here in Gloucester – but secure the future of the site for decades to come – showcasing Magnum’s commitment to the UK and securing it as a top investment destination,” Lord Stockwood said.
“Our modern Industrial Strategy is supporting the manufacturing sector by providing businesses the stability they need to invest not just for the next year, but for the next 10 years and beyond.”
He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that it was fascinating to see such a major investment in the region.
“On a personal level, it was nice to go and see an ice cream factory,” he said.
“It was really enjoyable. You have to be miserable not to enjoy that, but the important thing was that an extra £50 million quid is being invested in creating a state of the art futureproofed factory in a lovely part of the world.”
Lord Stockwood said the UK is becoming a “magnet for investment”.
“We’re seeing confidence in the UK economy, the stability, the rule of law, the research and development base, our knowledge base, etc.
“There are a number of people choosing to invest in a complex macro and geopolitical environment.
“But actually for Gloucester itself it’s nearly 500 jobs already.
“You know that type of investment from a global company is a shot in the arm and a sort of an endorsement of the UK and the British economy for the next decade.
“It’s both an endorsement of the national picture, but also locally.”
Mr McIntyre said the investment is great for Gloucester and the city institution that is Wall’s.
“It was an incredibly proud moment for me when I got to celebrate Gloucester as the birthplace of Vienetta in my maiden speech to Parliament, and I’m pleased to see a commitment to continuing innovation in our city,” he said.
“Wall’s is a Gloucester institution, so it’s great to see the Magnum Ice Cream Company investing in the future of ice cream production in our city.”
Gloucester – The home of British Ice Cream
Founded in 1959, the Gloucester site is the second largest ice cream factory in Europe (behind Heppenheim, Germany) and currently produces over 600 million ice creams every year, with more than 80 per cent of this serving the UK ice cream market. Every week, Gloucester produces nearly three million Calippos and two million Viennettas, in addition to one 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.
A proud part of the local community, today, the Gloucester site directly employs nearly 500 people and supports hundreds more through local contractor and suppliers’ programmes.
The investment will also support upskilling programmes for engineering and operations teams, reinforcing the company’s commitment to local employment and skills development.
Peter ter Kulve, CEO of The Magnum Ice Cream Company 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 and support growth but also ensure the site remains a centre of excellence for innovation, quality, and sustainability as we enter our next chapter.”
Jamie Farrell, Head of Country UK&I, The Magnum Ice Cream Company said: “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 five per cent energy efficiency gain and a 20 per cent reduction in food waste, demonstrates our renewed commitment to innovation and responsible growth.”
Investing in the future of ice cream
Supply chain transformation, productivity optimisation and a digital-first approach are core drivers of TMICC’s standalone growth strategy.
With cutting-edge equipment and processes, this factory is set to drive a step-change in manufacturing productivity – improving capacity utilisation, delivering better service and lowering costs.
These innovations will also enable TMICC to action its sustainability strategy, positioning Gloucester at the forefront of its commitment to responsible operation.
The Gloucester site investment is a key milestone in TMICC’s journey to continue meeting rapidly evolving consumer tastes and turning more everyday moments into lasting memories.