Scorching summer drives record breaking sales year for ice products manufacturer

The Ice Co, the West Yorkshire-based manufacturer of ice products, has reported a record-breaking sales year following an investment of £4.5m.

Driven by one of the hottest summers on record, the Pontefract business saw sales grow by 24%. This was underpinned by the 120% growth in sales of the firm’s Super Cubes product.

The Ice Co has invested £4.5m since 2017 to increase its manufacturing capacity at its head office by 30%. Furthermore, the company also rebranded and launched a new product, Premium Ice, in line with the investment.

First established in 1860, The Ice Co remains a privately-owned family business.

Polly Metcalfe, managing director, said: “Without a doubt, 2018 has been one of most challenging and exciting years to date, with our busiest summer on record and unprecedented sales growth. This award highlights the great effort the whole team has put in to making it such a successful year.

“There is a huge amount of competition and major brands within the frozen food category, so we feel honoured to have been recognised with this award.

“Our ambitions don’t end here though. The Ice Co’s goal is to continue to lead the ice market in Europe and cement its position as a top performing frozen food manufacturer. We also have further investment on the horizon to develop even more products that fulfil consumer demands and respond to key trends.”

Metcalfe’s father decided to take a step back from the business in 2010, so his children, Polly, Belle and Philip could take over. Belle now runs Blue Keld Springs, a bottled mineral water site, Philip is J Marr Group managing director and Polly is managing director for The Ice Co.

Polly Metcalfe added: “One of my main goals is to build a sustainable business for the future generations of this family business, as well as for its employees. Generation seven of The Ice Co is already in development as all three of us siblings have young children.”