Business

Ice cream brand Morelli's aims to crack GB market with £700k expansion

Pictured are Arnaldo Morelli, managing director at Morelli’s and Rhonda McClelland, business development manager at Ulster Bank
Pictured are Arnaldo Morelli, managing director at Morelli’s and Rhonda McClelland, business development manager at Ulster Bank Pictured are Arnaldo Morelli, managing director at Morelli’s and Rhonda McClelland, business development manager at Ulster Bank

FAMOUS Northern Ireland ice cream brand Morelli's has completed a £700,000 investment programme as it looks to expand into lucrative new markets.

The family-run business has just concluded the third and final phase of a major three-year expansion plan, which has allowed the brand to treble its production capacity.

The latest phase of works involved a £350,000 expansion and modernisation of the company's Coleraine base, with 3,300 sq ft of floor space added to the factory floor.

The third phase forms part of an overall £700,000 investment programme, launched in 2015 and follows upgrades to manufacturing equipment, the development of a large-capacity freezer store, and the refurbishment of Morelli's flagship parlour in Portrush.

Arnaldo Morelli, who heads up the family-owned business said the expansion is opening up new markets for the brand.

“We were operating near to full capacity, producing 700,000 litres annually. The investment has enabled us to almost treble production capacity to two million litres per year," he explained

"As well as our own family stores, we supply supermarkets and hundreds of independent retailers across Northern Ireland. This investment will enable us to increase exports to the Republic of Ireland and explore new markets in Great Britain, safe in the knowledge that we have the capacity to fulfil growing consumer demand.”

“We’re operating in an industry on the crest of a wave at the minute. Ice cream sales surged over the summer as we basked in sunshine. Mintel reports that in 2017, the value of the retail ice cream market on the island of Ireland was worth €248m and that it’s projected to hit €296m by 2022," Mr Morelli said.

The major investment from Morelli's was supported by Ulster Bank and Invest NI.

Rhonda McClelland, business development manager at Ulster Bank added:

“The Morelli brand is steeped in tradition and a shining example of Northern Ireland’s growing list of quality food and drink producers. We’re extremely proud to support the Morelli family as they expand their business and explore export opportunities to new markets.”

The Morelli family has been making ice cream since 1911 and operate a number of family-owned retail outlets across Northern Ireland and several franchised units.