The Magnum Ice Cream Company has announced details of a £50 million upgrade to its factory in Gloucester, England. The investment is the latest in a series of site upgrades around the world as part of the independent subsidiary of Unilever’s €350-380 million supply chain transformation program.
The project will significantly increase production capacity, modernize 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. 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 – contributing to a targeted 50% increase in output by 2027 (versus 2023 baseline).
Founded in 1959, the Gloucester site is home for the second largest ice cream factory in Europe (behind Heppenheim, Germany) and currently produces over 600 million ice cream units every year, with more than 80% of this serving the British ice market. Every week, the facility turns out nearly 3 million Calippos and 2 million Viennettas, in addition to 1 million Ben & Jerry’s tubs.
The Gloucester plant directly employs nearly 500 people and supports hundreds more through local contractor and suppliers transactions.
“This investment is a key milestone in our global supply chain transformation programe and a bold step forward for our business,” said CEO Peter ter Kulve. “It’s 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.”
