18 August 2003

North Yorkshire laser engineering specialist, Malton Laser Ltd, has completed the manufacture of components for 5000 innovative ice cream dispensing machines for Richmond Ice Cream Ltd, the UK’s largest ice cream manufacturer.

Malton Laser cut the central chassis for the new Nestle Ice Creamery dispensers, which are sold by Richmond to retailers across the country to dispense summer cheer during the peak selling season.

The three-month production project follows Northallerton-based Richmond’s purchase last year of the successful ‘Ice Creamery’ business from the Dairygold Cooperative Society Limited. Andy Downes, Richmond’s National Business Manager for the new ‘Nestle Ice Creamery’ branded system said:

“We took a long hard look at the rapidly growing soft ice cream sector, we then took all the strengths of the previous Ice Creamery system, added to them and improved them. Richmond’s depth of expertise in ice cream, spanning product design, development and marketing resulted in a stunning new dispensing system which is simply the most effective, versatile and profitable in the market.”

Richmond manufacture all ‘Nestle’ branded ice cream products within the UK and the new system has been re-branded to incorporate the Nestle name.

Downes added:

“We were delighted to be able to incorporate the global Nestle name within our new brand. By re-launching as the ‘Nestle Ice Creamery’ retailers and consumers are assured of the highest quality delivery system and products.”

“The ‘Nestle Ice Creamery’ system costs from as little as £99 so retailers are no longer put off selling soft ice cream due to the high cost and operational complexity of traditional soft ice cream machines which can cost many thousands of pounds.”
 

Malton Laser Managing Director Charles Corner said:

“We are delighted to have been involved in such a major project with another North Yorkshire firm. We have worked with the team at Richmond Ice Cream in the past and look forward to continuing the relationship in the future. Our two firms share a commitment to innovation, quality products and excellent customer service so we work together exceptionally well.”

Richmond Ice Cream Group Operations Director Ibrahim Najafi said:

“Malton Laser have always worked very well with our team and for this project they performed very professionally and delivered excellent results during a demanding period of tight deadlines. Here at Richmond we prefer to work with local companies whenever we can, and Malton meet our needs perfectly in that regard too. “

The new dispenser has already exceeded sales forecasts and is now used by retailers across the country in almost every type of retail environment, from small outlets to large leisure operations such as Haven Holiday Parks, and UCI Cinemas.

In addition to the manufacturing contract for the new dispensers, Malton Laser also produced the main components for a dozen carefully crafted Nestle Ice Creamery handcarts which were installed within all of London’s Royal Parks. The handcarts had to be based on a traditional design but capable of including the latest refrigeration technology with a re-chargeable 12-volt battery supply. The exacting standards demanded by the Royal Parks meant that design specifications were stringent.

Andy Downes recalls:-

“Meeting the design specifications required for the Royal Parks was challenging, but Sterling Concessions who operate the London Park units were absolutely delighted with the end result, particularly noting to us how happy they were with the of the quality of the carts and their speed of delivery.”

Work on the next batch of dispensing machines is due to begin later this year with completion scheduled for next February in time for the 2004 ‘selling-in’ period.

Malton Laser, founded by Charles Corner in 2000, now employs 24 staff across an 11,000sq ft site on the Pyramid Industrial in Malton and has just recorded its first £1 million annual turnover.

Richmond Foods, the UK’s largest ice cream manufacturer, manufactures both branded and own label products and supplies ice cream into Take Home, Impulse and Foodservice channels. The Company bought rights to manufacture Nestle branded ice cream products in 2001.