Frank’s Ice Cream has opened a new gelateria and innovation centre following a six-figure loan backing from the Development Bank of Wales.
The new development will see up to 12 new jobs created for the 4,300 sq ft purpose-built facility which opened alongside the company’s existing manufacturing site in Capel Hendre.
Built by contractors Malpross Services in Cross Hands, the facility features a product development centre and houses the latest ice-cream making machinery and technology including a short-run manufacturing unit which will improve efficiency by enabling the creation of specific one-off flavours and occasion ice cream.
The development bank has provided a £500,000 loan.
Giulio Dallavalle, a director of Frank’s Ice Cream, said: “Our new innovation centre will allow us to stay ahead of the competition with rapid product developments as well as giving our loyal customers a place to enjoy our ice cream here in the community.
“The funding from the Development Bank has helped us to begin the next chapter of our story; creating jobs and further enhancing our offering in this highly competitive market.”
In addition to product development at the site, there is also an ice cream parlour open to the public offering an open-viewing and tasting area and a bespoke visitor room that will host interactive classes and school visits.
Frank’s Ice Cream opened its first manufacturing site in Capel Hendre in 1993 after securing its first major supermarket contract in 1990.
The company went on to launch a diabetic range of ice cream with Morrisons before investing £1.5 million to increase production capacity and begin exporting to the Middle East in 2019. It now supplies dairy and vegan ice cream and ice cream for diabetics to a range of UK supermarkets and global brands.
Alun Thomas, regional manager at the Development Bank of Wales, said: “Franks’ is a long-established manufacturing business. This latest development enables the family to go back to their roots and sell ice cream directly to the public while also showcasing the very best innovation in the Welsh food sector.”
The £500,000 funding came from the £204m Wales Business Fund. Financed by the European Regional Development Fund, the Welsh Government and the Development Bank of Wales, the fund offers loans, mezzanine finance and equity investments from £50,000 to £2m for small and medium-sized businesses based in Wales or willing to relocate to Wales.
Terms range from one to seven years with finance prioritised for businesses in economically deprived areas of Wales.
