The Magnum Ice Cream Company has announced details of a £50m upgrade to its Gloucester ice cream factory, the latest in a series of site upgrades around the world as part of the company’s €350-380 million supply chain transformation programme.
It will significantly increase production capacity, modernise infrastructure, and enhance operational efficiency at the Gloucester site – home to the UK production of products including Viennetta, Twister, Solero, and Magnum. The upgrade includes 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 – Contributing to a targeted 50 per cent increase in output by 2027 (versus 2023 baseline).
Established in 1959, the Gloucester site is the second largest ice cream factory in Europe, currently producing over 600 million ice creams every year, with over 80 per cent of production serving the UK market. Every week, Gloucester produces nearly three million Calippos and two million Viennettas, in addition to one million Ben & Jerry’s tubs.
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.
"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,” said Jamie Farrell, Head of Country for the Magnum Ice Cream Company UK&I. “Gloucester will play a central role in that journey, and we are proud to be investing in its future.”