Harlech Foodservice, a leading Welsh food wholesaler, has expanded its product range by adding two renowned ice cream makers to its portfolio. The Gwent-based Sidoli’s and Cheshire Farm Ice Cream, both family-run businesses, will now be distributed across Wales and surrounding border counties, furthering their reach.
Sidoli’s, a historic ice cream maker, traces its roots back to 1922 when Benedetto Sidoli, an Italian immigrant, began producing vanilla ice cream in Ebbw Vale. Today, the company is led by his great-grandson, Stefano Sidoli. Cheshire Farm Ice Cream, founded in 1986 by dairy farmers Tom and Margaret Fell, has maintained its family-run ethos with Graeme, the son of the founders, at the helm.
Both companies have seen significant growth and view their partnership with Harlech Foodservice as a key step in their continued success. Harlech, one of the UK’s fastest-growing food distribution companies, operates across several regions, including Criccieth, Chester, Telford, Merthyr Tydfil, and Carmarthen.
Chris Gregson, Head of Sales at Harlech Foodservice, expressed excitement about the partnership, emphasizing the added value of quality products to their offerings and the potential to expand Sidoli’s and Cheshire Farm’s market presence. He added, “Sidoli has a strong reputation in South East Wales, while Cheshire Farm is well-known in the North West and North Wales, and we believe we can bring both to a much wider market.”
The collaboration with Cheshire Farm began last year, resulting in an impressive growth trajectory. In just the first ten months, Harlech added 153 new stockists for Cheshire Farm’s diverse range of over 50 flavors, including real dairy ice cream, sorbets, and plant-based options. Harlech expects to boost sales to over 65,000 liters in the coming year.
Cheshire Farm Ice Cream continues to rely on its local roots, producing up to 10,000 liters of ice cream daily from the milk of over 500 Friesian cows grazing on the Bolesworth Estate in Tattenhall. Ed Warrington, Wholesale Manager at Cheshire Farm, noted that the partnership with Harlech has opened up much larger markets, extending the company’s reach across Wales, the North West, and the West Midlands.
Sidoli’s expansion into new markets is similarly promising, with Stefano Sidoli highlighting the opportunity to market their ice cream across the entire country, particularly in regions previously underserved. “Partnering with Harlech allows us to access new markets and work alongside a company that shares our family business values,” Stefano said.
Harlech’s impressive growth in recent years reflects its expanding market share. The company’s sales increased from £32 million to a record £50 million in just three years, with profits exceeding £2 million. A current £6 million expansion plan has created 75 new jobs, with the number expected to double this year. This expansion, coupled with new depots in Telford, Merthyr Tydfil, and Carmarthen, positions Harlech for continued growth.
With a fleet of 65 vehicles delivering up to 5,000 product lines to cafes, restaurants, pubs, and public sector customers, Harlech Foodservice is committed to strengthening its role as a major distributor in the Welsh and UK food markets.
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