Beechdean joined forces with Lovington’s in May by acquiring 50% of the business and is now planning to expand the business in the West Country.
The firm plans to build on Lovington’s British credentials by only using locally sourced ingredients.
The acquisition of Lovington’s Somerset site brought the number of Beechdean’s ice cream sites in the UK to four.
Md Andrew Howard said the acquisition was part of Beechdean’s plan to grow its brands and production capacity.
‘Growing client base’
“We are a customer centric business and this means, as a group, we have much more to offer our growing client base,” said Howard.
“We are putting substantial investment in both the manufacturing capabilities as well as the sales and marketing side of the business to capitalise on the excellent reputation the business has developed.”
Beechdean planned to strengthen Lovington’s offerings in the foodservice and leisure markets and expand the brand to new markets throughout the West Country.
Founded in 1989 by Andrew and Susie Howard, Beechdean produces a range of ice cream, sorbets and other frozen dessert products.
BRC accredited factories
The company produces 30Ml of ice cream a year from its three AA British Retail Consortium accredited factories in the Chilterns, Cheshire and Somerset.
This year also saw the Beechdean acquire desserts manufacturer Enjay’s Pancakes.
Beechdean manufacturers also has a strong presence in the out of home channel as exclusive supplier to The Royal Albert Hall and Ambassador Theatre Group.
Lovington’s production plant has a strict no nuts policy. Its ice cream is suitable for vegetarians, is free-from genetically modified organisms and uses no artificial flavouring or artificial colouring.
Meanwhile, meat processor Hilton Food Group has completed its £80.8M acquisition of fish firm Icelandic Seachill, as it continued to drive volume growth in the UK and overseas.