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Froneri
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Froneri International Limited is a global ice cream manufacturer with its headquarters in Leeming Bar, North Yorkshire, England.[1] It is the largest producer of ice cream in Europe by volume, and the second-largest in the world, after The Magnum Ice Cream Company.[citation needed]
Key Information
Froneri was established in 2016 as a joint venture between Nestlé and PAI Partners to combine the two companies' ice cream activities.[2] PAI Partners had previously acquired R&R Ice Cream in 2013.[3] R&R was originally founded as Richmond Ice Cream in 1985.[3] Froneri expanded by initiating consolidation in the European ice cream market. It then took control over Nestlé's USA's ice cream division in 2020.[4]
The company has a turnover of £750 million, and employs 15,000 people.[5] The main production site is located at Leeming Bar, and employs 665 people in the largest ice cream factory in Europe.[3][6] Smaller production sites are located in Skelmersdale and Bodmin, Cornwall.[3]
History
[edit]The company was founded as Richmond Ice Cream in 1985, when Bedale farmer Jonathan Ropner acquired Cardosi, a Thornaby ice cream manufacturer.[3] Cardosi had £40,000 of ice cream manufacturing equipment, and had offered itself up for sale.[7] Ropner asked his friend, James Lambert to run the company.[6] Lambert claimed that the pair knew "nothing" about ice cream manufacturing.[7] The company initially had just five employees.[1] In 1987, the company's first major success occurred when it won a contract to manufacture own-label ice cream for supermarket chain Morrisons, which had 44 stores at the time.[6][7] The company acquired Windsor Creameries from Trevor Hemmings in 1994.[6] In return, Hemmings gained a 40% stake in Richmond.[6]
In 1997, Richmond completed a reverse takeover of the publicly listed ice lolly manufacturer Treats Group, based in Leeds, which gave them the Crossgates site and far greater leverage in negotiations with supermarkets.[7][3] The deal meant that the newly formed entity was publicly listed.[7] Allied Frozen Foods was acquired from Associated British Foods in 2000.[8] It acquired Nestle's loss-making UK ice cream business, Lyons Maid, including FAB, in 2001.[6]
On 5 May 2006, Richmond Foods announced that it was to be taken over by Oaktree Capital Management, which merged the company with Roncadin, founded by Regina Roncadin, the largest German own-brand label ice cream manufacturer, to make the largest ice cream manufacturer in Europe. The company was then known as R&R Ice Cream. In 2008, it acquired Cornish ice cream producer Kelly's, followed by French business Rolland in 2010.[9]
R&R acquired Frederick's Dairies for £49 million in April 2013.[10] It thus acquired control of the licenses for producing Cadbury, Del Monte and Britvic branded ice cream.[10]
In August 2012, the company acquired Eskigel (for £60.5 million), an Italian ice cream manufacturer whose factory is located in Terni (Umbria), about 65 miles north of Rome.[11]
In April 2013, R&R was acquired by the French private equity firm PAI Partners for £715 million.[3] As a result, James Lambert moved from the chief executive role to chairman.[5]
In October 2013, R&R's founder was named entrepreneur of the year at EY's annual awards hosted by Jeremy Vine. Lambert will now go on to compete globally with more than 60 other country winners at the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year awards in Monte Carlo next year.[5]
In 2016, Nestlé and PAI Partners agreed to set up a joint venture known as Froneri which combined the two companies' ice cream activities throughout Europe and other international countries.[2]
On 11 December 2019, Froneri announced that it will expand into the North American market with the acquisition of Nestle USA's Ice Cream division for $4 billion USD which includes brands such as Dreyer's, Häagen-Dazs and Drumstick. The acquisition completed in Q1 2020.[4]
In October 2025, The Wall Street Journal reported Froneri secured a €1.4 billion investment from private-equity firm PAI Partners and the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority. The investment valued the firm at €15 billion.[12]
UK operations
[edit]The company manufactures over 600 million ice lollies every year, produces and packages over 70% of 2-litre supermarket own-brand ice cream, including for major UK supermarkets such as Tesco and Asda, and employs around 665 people at its Leeming Bar plant.[13]
The Bodmin site employs 30 people.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Fab lollies maker to close factory". BBC News. 18 July 2013.
- ^ a b "Nestlé and R&R to create Froneri, an ice cream and frozen food joint venture". Nestlé Global. 27 April 2016. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Fab lollies maker bought for £715m". BBC News. 30 April 2013.
- ^ a b "Froneri acquisition of Nestle USA". www.froneri.com. Archived from the original on 23 March 2020. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
- ^ a b c Burn-Callander, Rebecca (8 October 2013). "R&R Ice Cream boss scoops entrepreneur of the year award" – via www.telegraph.co.uk.
- ^ a b c d e f Media, Insider. "Insider Media Ltd - The UK's National B2B Media Company". Insider Media Ltd.
- ^ a b c d e "R&R founder's sensible hours put the stresses of life on ice". Financial Times. 7 October 2013. Archived from the original on 11 December 2022. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
- ^ "Richmond buys Allied ice cream". The Grocer.
- ^ Bamford, Vince (20 July 2013). "James Lambert hands over the CEO reins at R&R Ice Cream". The Grocer.
- ^ a b "UK: R&R Ice Cream to buy rival Fredericks Dairies". www.just-food.com. 9 April 2013. Archived from the original on 12 December 2019. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
- ^ Stones, Mike (13 August 2012). "R&R Ice Cream still "on acquisition trail" after buying Eskigel". Food manufacturer.co.uk. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
- ^ Calatayud, Adrià (2 October 2025). "Ice-Cream Maker Froneri Hits $17.6 Billion Valuation in Funding Deal". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
- ^ BBC Look North 15 August 2011
External links
[edit]
Froneri
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Froneri International Limited is a British multinational ice cream manufacturing company, established in 2016 as a joint venture between Nestlé and PAI Partners that combined Nestlé's European ice cream business with PAI-owned R&R Ice Cream.[1][2] Headquartered in Leeming Bar, North Yorkshire, England, it operates state-of-the-art factories across six continents, making it a world-leading producer of premium ice cream and frozen snacking products.[3][1] The company specializes in high-quality treats, including plant-based options, and holds leading market positions in many regions, particularly as the global number one in handheld ice cream.[1]
Froneri's brand portfolio includes iconic names such as Häagen-Dazs (for which it manages the U.S. business), Drumstick, Oreo, Nuii, Cadbury, Milka, Outshine, and Rowntree's, present in more than 25 countries.[1][4][5] These brands emphasize indulgence, innovation, and sustainability, with the company investing in eco-friendly practices and community initiatives through its Planet & Society program.[1]
In October 2025, Froneri secured new financing that valued the company at approximately 15 billion euros (about $17.6 billion USD), and announced the acquisition of Food Union's European ice cream operations to expand in Northern and Eastern Europe, underscoring its rapid growth and strong position in the global frozen desserts market.[5][6] With over 15,000 employees and facilities like Europe's largest ice cream factory in the UK, Froneri continues to expand its footprint while focusing on quality and consumer trends such as healthier and sustainable options.[1]
History
Origins of Predecessor Companies
The origins of Froneri trace back to the establishment and growth of Richmond Ice Cream in the United Kingdom, which laid the foundation for the company's later European expansion. In 1985, farmer Jonathan Ropner and businessman James Lambert co-acquired Cardosi, a local ice cream manufacturer in receivership, thereby founding Richmond Ice Cream as a bulk own-label producer based in North Yorkshire.[7][8][9] By the late 1990s, Richmond had grown through organic development and smaller acquisitions, positioning it for further consolidation. In 1998, Richmond merged with Treats plc, a Leeds-based ice lolly manufacturer, to form Richmond Foods plc, which retained Treats' listing on the London Stock Exchange and broadened the company's portfolio into impulse ice cream products.[7][10][11] The early 2000s marked a period of aggressive expansion that solidified Richmond's dominance in the UK market. In 2000, Richmond Foods acquired the ice cream division of Allied Frozen Foods from Associated British Foods for £18.8 million, adding production facilities across the UK and establishing the company as the nation's largest ice cream producer.[7][12][13] This was followed in 2001 by the £10 million purchase of Nestlé's UK ice cream operations, which included iconic brands such as Fab and Smarties, further enhancing Richmond's branded offerings despite Nestlé's established global presence in ice cream outside the UK.[7][14][15] Subsequent acquisitions focused on bolstering manufacturing capabilities and regional supply chains. In 2003, Richmond acquired Sheffield-based Oldfield's ice cream business for £3.95 million, specializing in bulk and own-label production for retail and foodservice sectors.[7][16][17] The following year, in 2004, the company purchased De Roma Ice Cream from receivership for £3.4 million, expanding its capacity for lollies, handheld ice creams, and Arctic rolls.[7][18][19] A pivotal shift occurred in 2006 when Oaktree Capital Management acquired Richmond Foods for £182 million and merged it with the Italian ice cream manufacturer Roncadin, which Oaktree had purchased the previous year, to create R&R Ice Cream—a pan-European entity with enhanced production scale across the UK and continental Europe.[7][10][20] This integration combined Richmond's UK market leadership with Roncadin's expertise in premium gelato and private-label products. In 2008, R&R further strengthened its premium segment by acquiring Kelly's of Cornwall, the UK's leading producer of Cornish ice cream, known for its natural ingredients and regional heritage.[7][21]Formation of Froneri
In 2013, R&R Ice Cream, a prominent UK-based ice cream manufacturer, expanded its portfolio by acquiring Fredericks Dairies, a Lancashire-based producer known for licensed brands such as Cadbury and Del Monte, in a deal valued at £49 million.[22] Later that year, PAI Partners, a European private equity firm, purchased R&R Ice Cream from Oaktree Capital Management for approximately €850 million, positioning R&R for further international growth under PAI's ownership.[21] These moves strengthened R&R's position as Europe's second-largest ice cream producer, focusing on private-label and branded products.[10] Building on this foundation, R&R continued its expansion with the 2014 acquisition of Peters Food Group, Australia's leading ice cream manufacturer, from Pacific Equity Partners for an undisclosed sum estimated around A$500 million; this added iconic brands like Drumstick and Peters Original to R&R's offerings and established a key foothold in the Asia-Pacific region.[23] In 2015, R&R further diversified by acquiring Nestlé South Africa's ice cream business, including the longstanding Dairymaid brand established in 1938, to capitalize on growing demand in emerging African markets.[24] Froneri was formally established in April 2016 through a 50:50 joint venture between Nestlé and PAI Partners, merging R&R Ice Cream with Nestlé's ice cream operations across more than 20 countries, including Europe, the Middle East (excluding Israel), Argentina, Australia, Brazil, the Philippines, and South Africa; this combined entity also incorporated Nestlé's European frozen food business, excluding pizza and retail frozen food in Italy, but omitted Nestlé's ice cream activities in the US, Canada, Switzerland, and select Asian markets.[25] The venture was projected to generate annual sales of approximately CHF 2.7 billion and employ around 15,000 people, with headquarters established in Leeming Bar, North Yorkshire, England, leveraging R&R's existing facilities.[25][26] Early operational integration focused on streamlining production, highlighted by the incorporation of R&R's Leeming Bar site, which operates as Europe's largest ice cream factory with advanced capabilities for high-volume output.[27]Major Acquisitions and Expansions
Froneri's expansion strategy, building on the momentum from its predecessor R&R Ice Cream, began with significant acquisitions in Europe prior to the company's formal formation in 2016. In 2010, R&R acquired Rolland, France's third-largest ice cream manufacturer, which propelled R&R to become Europe's second-largest ice cream group by volume. This move strengthened R&R's position in the French market and laid the groundwork for further continental growth.[7] The following year, in 2011, R&R continued its aggressive expansion by acquiring Pilpa in France and Durigon in Germany, both key players in own-label ice cream production. These deals enhanced R&R's manufacturing capabilities and market share in Western Europe. Concurrently, R&R entered into a licensing partnership with Mondelēz International to produce and distribute Oreo and Cadbury ice cream products across Europe, diversifying its branded portfolio and boosting innovation in licensed goods.[10] In 2012, R&R acquired Eskigel, Italy's largest own-label ice cream manufacturer, further solidifying its leadership in private-label production and expanding its footprint in Southern Europe. Following the 2016 joint venture formation between Nestlé and PAI Partners, Froneri accelerated its global ambitions with targeted acquisitions. In 2019, the company acquired Tip Top, New Zealand's leading ice cream brand, further expanding its presence in the Asia-Pacific region, and purchased Nestlé's ice cream business in Israel, enhancing its Middle Eastern presence.[28][2] A pivotal expansion occurred in 2020 when Froneri acquired Nestlé's U.S. ice cream business for $4 billion, including the iconic Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream brand, which significantly boosted its North American operations and overall scale. In October 2025, Froneri announced agreements to acquire Food Union’s ice cream business in Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Belarus, and Uzbekistan, excluding the dairy operations in Latvia, further extending its reach into Central Asia and Eastern Europe. These strategic moves have culminated in Froneri operating in 23 countries with approximately 15,000 employees by 2025, underscoring its transformation into a global ice cream powerhouse.[29][30][31]Operations
Global Footprint
Froneri is headquartered in Leeming Bar, North Yorkshire, England, serving as the central hub for its global ice cream manufacturing operations.[3] The company maintains a significant worldwide presence, operating across six continents in more than 25 countries with approximately 30 factories and over 15,000 employees.[4][32][1] These facilities collectively provide a production capacity exceeding 2 billion liters of ice cream annually, underscoring the scale of its manufacturing infrastructure.[33] Key manufacturing sites include three facilities in the United Kingdom, with the Leeming Bar plant recognized as Europe's largest ice cream factory.[27] Additional production hubs are located in the United States—enabled by the 2020 acquisition of Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream—Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Brazil, Egypt, and European nations such as Italy and France.[34][35] This network of sites supports efficient production tailored to regional demands while adhering to high-quality standards. Froneri's distribution network reaches retailers and wholesalers globally, leveraging agile and efficient processes to ensure timely delivery of products.[36] This infrastructure facilitates the company's role as a leading pure-play ice cream manufacturer, focusing on operational excellence and supply chain reliability.Regional Operations
Froneri maintains significant operations in the United Kingdom, where it operates three state-of-the-art factories, including the largest ice cream production facility in Europe at Leeming Bar, North Yorkshire.[27] These sites focus on producing ice cream for impulse and take-home consumption, serving major retailers and contributing to Froneri's position as the largest ice cream producer in the UK market.[27][37] The company holds a leading market share in the UK, with operations emphasizing efficient supply chains tailored to local consumer preferences for both branded and private-label products.[38] In North America, Froneri conducts its activities primarily through its subsidiary Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, which manages production across key facilities in the United States, such as the expansive plant in Bakersfield, California—the world's largest ice cream factory—and additional sites in Laurel, Maryland, and Fort Wayne, Indiana.[39][40][41] These operations prioritize premium ice cream and snacking formats, leveraging Dreyer's established distribution networks to capture substantial market share in the region.[42][43] Froneri's strategy here emphasizes innovation in high-value segments to meet demand for indulgent and health-oriented frozen desserts.[42] Excluding the UK, Froneri's European operations span countries including France, Italy, Spain, Germany, and Switzerland, where it produces both own-label and branded ice cream through facilities inherited from acquisitions like Rolland in France and Roncadin in Italy.[44][45] In October 2025, Froneri entered into agreements to acquire Food Union's ice cream business, expected to be completed in the coming months and add production capabilities in markets such as Norway, Denmark, Lithuania, Romania, and the Baltics.[30][46] The company collaborates with partners like Mondelēz for licensed products under Cadbury and Milka, adapting formulations to regional tastes while focusing on sustainable sourcing and retail partnerships.[47][48] In the Asia-Pacific region, Froneri operates through subsidiaries such as Peters Ice Cream in Australia, with production centered at its Mulgrave, Victoria facility, and Tip Top in New Zealand, emphasizing local favorites and export growth.[49][7] The company entered Israel in 2019 via the acquisition of Nestlé's Noga ice cream business, establishing production for the Middle Eastern market with a focus on premium and family-oriented offerings.[50][7] Froneri's presence in other emerging markets includes South Africa via the Dairymaid business, acquired from Nestlé in 2019, which adapts products to local dairy traditions and distributes through informal and formal retail channels.[44] In Brazil and Egypt, operations involve dedicated facilities for regional production, prioritizing affordable, culturally relevant ice cream variants to drive growth in high-potential markets.[51][35] These efforts underscore Froneri's strategy of local adaptation, with the company employing over 15,000 people across approximately 30 factories in more than 25 countries globally.[1][32]Products and Brands
Major Brands
Froneri's portfolio encompasses a mix of owned and licensed brands, emphasizing premium ice cream experiences and innovative snacking options across global markets. The company prioritizes iconic names that drive consumer loyalty in the frozen dessert category, leveraging both proprietary developments and strategic licensing agreements to maintain a competitive edge.[1] Key owned brands include Kelly's of Cornwall, a heritage ice cream line originating from the UK, known for its natural ingredients and regional appeal; Nuii, a layered ice cream and sorbet brand developed in-house for indulgent yet light treats; Fab, a classic British ice cream cone with a long-standing market presence; Rowntree's, featuring fruit-inspired frozen confections; Peters, an Australian staple offering everyday family favorites; Tip Top, a New Zealand-based brand celebrated for its local flavors and quality; Dreyer's, a leading U.S. ice cream label with diverse flavor profiles; Edy's, the East Coast counterpart to Dreyer's providing similar premium offerings; and Skinny Cow, focused on low-calorie, guilt-free indulgences. These brands were bolstered through acquisitions, such as the 2020 purchase of Nestlé's U.S. ice cream business, which integrated Dreyer's, Edy's, and Skinny Cow into Froneri's holdings.[52][34][7] Licensed brands form a cornerstone of Froneri's strategy, including the upscale Häagen-Dazs for luxurious premium scoops; Drumstick, a cone-based snacking icon; Oreo, produced via a partnership with Mondelēz International to infuse cookie flavors into ice cream; and chocolate integrations featuring Cadbury, Milka, Toblerone, and Daim for hybrid dairy treats. Additionally, Outshine provides fruit-focused, healthier alternatives under license. In March 2025, Froneri entered a strategic partnership with Lotus Bakeries to produce ice cream products under the Lotus Biscoff brand, expanding into caramelized biscuit-flavored treats.[53] These arrangements, such as the Mondelēz collaboration, enable Froneri to expand into confectionery crossovers without full ownership.[54][7][34] Regionally, Froneri tailors its offerings to local preferences, marketing licensed variants like Nestlé Temptations, KitKat, and Crunch in the Philippines to appeal to chocolate-loving consumers. In the UK, the Blackcurrant Push-Up under Rowntree's delivers a fruity, push-pop style lolly popular for impulse buys. Overall, Froneri's approach centers on curating a diverse portfolio of brands worldwide, with a strong emphasis on premium and snacking segments to capture growth in diverse consumer segments.[55][56][1]Product Portfolio
Froneri's product portfolio centers on a diverse range of ice cream formats tailored to different consumer needs and occasions, emphasizing its position as a pure-play ice cream company dedicated exclusively to frozen treats without venturing into other dairy categories.[1] The impulse category includes single-serve lollies and novelties designed for on-the-go consumption, such as Rowntree's Fruit Pastille lollies made with real fruit juice and purees for a fun, family-friendly snack.[57] Take-home and family packs feature larger formats like Häagen-Dazs tubs, offering premium ice cream in flavors such as vanilla and chocolate for sharing at home.[54] Premium and snacking options encompass cones and gourmet treats, including Drumstick cones with their signature chocolate-dipped exteriors and Nuii gourmet ice creams layered with wafers and sauces for an indulgent experience.[54] Health-focused products target wellness-oriented consumers with lighter alternatives, such as Outshine fruit bars crafted from real fruit and Skinny Cow low-calorie options like ice cream bars and sandwiches that reduce fat and calories while maintaining flavor.[34][58] Innovations in Froneri's portfolio highlight advanced production techniques to achieve superior textures and quality, utilizing state-of-the-art factories across its global operations to ensure consistent creaminess and freshness in every product.[1] The company integrates fruit and yogurt elements for nutritious appeal, as seen in Outshine's fruit and yogurt smoothie pouches blended with real fruit and non-fat yogurt in flavors like blueberry pear and peach raspberry.[59] Seasonal and limited-edition releases add excitement, such as Häagen-Dazs Peppermint Bark ice cream available during holidays to capture festive demand.[60] Froneri serves multiple market segments through its offerings, supplying branded products to retail and wholesale channels worldwide to reach everyday consumers.[3] It also excels in own-label production, acting as the largest global manufacturer of private-label ice cream to support retailer-specific lines.[61] Additionally, the company engages in co-manufacturing partnerships, producing ice cream for other brands and clients to expand its reach in the competitive frozen dessert market.[32]Ownership and Governance
Ownership Structure
Froneri was established in 2016 as a 50:50 joint venture between Nestlé S.A. and PAI Partners, with PAI's stake held through its ownership of R&R Ice Cream.[62][63] Through acquisitions, Froneri holds full ownership of several key subsidiaries, including Peters Ice Cream in Australia, Tip Top in New Zealand, Kelly's of Cornwall in the United Kingdom, and Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream in the United States.[63][2][64][61][65] In October 2025, PAI Partners completed a €3.6 billion equity transaction to restructure its approximately 50% stake in Froneri, introducing a new ownership framework that includes a significant minority co-investment from a wholly owned subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) and a single-asset continuation vehicle led by Goldman Sachs Alternatives.[62][66][67][68] Under this updated structure, Nestlé S.A. continues to hold its 50% ownership, while PAI Partners' 50% stake now incorporates co-investments from ADIA and the Goldman Sachs-led vehicle, providing enhanced capital flexibility to support Froneri's ongoing global expansion initiatives.[66][69][70]Leadership
Phil Griffin serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Froneri, leading the company's global strategy with a focus on fostering a culture of excellence, agility, and profitable growth.[71] Under his leadership, Froneri has pursued strategic expansions, including the 2025 acquisition of Food Union's ice cream business in Europe, which enhances the company's market presence in key regions.[72] Griffin's approach emphasizes an ownership mindset among the team, agile processes to drive innovation, and sustained growth across operations, brands, and sustainability initiatives.[71] The leadership team comprises key executives who support these priorities, including Ivar Blanken as Chief Financial Officer, responsible for financial oversight and reinvestment strategies; Chontelle Wright as Group General Counsel, ensuring robust governance; Heidi Zuber as Group Head of HR, promoting a people-centric culture; Luca Regano as Group Head of Marketing, advancing brand leadership; Pietro Monaco as Group Head of Operations, managing global manufacturing; Chris Bird as Group Head of Supply Chain; and Rob Griffin as Group Head of IS & IT, focusing on secure integrations.[71] This team collectively drives Froneri's emphasis on entrepreneurial passion, operational efficiency, and purpose-driven advancements in the ice cream sector. Froneri's governance structure is shaped by its status as a joint venture between Nestlé and PAI Partners, with the board including representatives from both partners to guide strategic decisions.[66] The board, which features members such as Phil Griffin and Ivar Blanken, commits to responsible business practices and employee-driven innovation to achieve long-term objectives.[73] Underpinning these efforts are the company's core values: taking ownership of actions, doing what is right through integrity, seeking continuous improvement, and collaborating to be better together, all aimed at delivering joy through quality ice cream.[71]References
- https://www.wikicorporates.org/wiki/Froneri_Ltd