Your ice cream business has gone from a start-up to something that’s really starting to build a following. Now, you’re ready to gear up for growth. Taking the leap from artisanal to semi-industrial ice cream production comes with its share of challenges but also presents incredible opportunities for success. We’ve put together this guide to help you scale your business while maintaining the quality and charm your customers already love.
Maintaining the product people love
Your ice cream is special – it’s what keeps your customers coming back for more. So scaling up your production might feel like a balancing act between maintaining quality while increasing your output. But here’s the good news – modern equipment doesn’t just help you consistently serve up your ice cream, it can actually make it even better. With the right tools, you can deliver the same level of craftsmanship on a larger scale. Let’s look at what you’ll need to do that –
Upgrading your ice cream equipment
When it comes to scaling ice cream production, your equipment is everything. Making the right upgrades will boost your capacity, and help you streamline your processes, all while keeping your costs under control.
One of the first investments to consider investing in is a continuous freezer. Unlike batch freezers, continuous freezers work around the clock to mix, aerate, and freeze your ice cream. Continuous freezers freeze your product faster at a lower temperature, which produces an overall better product, impacting many areas of your production process, from maintaining a smooth, creamy texture to giving you a more defined separation of colours when making patterns or images on an extrusion line, for example.
You should also consider CO2 as a refrigerant, which isn’t just eco-friendly but also highly efficient. It’ll save you energy and production time, and make a continuous freezer one of your greatest assets.
Next, consider upgrading to a pasteurising plant. These machines automate the pasteurisation process, speeding up your production, and ensuring a more consistent, efficient process that requires less manual intervention. This means your overall productivity is improved, downtime is reduced, and you’re able to meet high demands more easily.
If you’re ready to move past hand-filling or smaller machines, rotary fillers can take your production to the next level. They’re highly efficient, easy to maintain, and versatile enough to handle everything from cones to tubs. Plus, they streamline your workflow by automating steps and allowing you to have multiple add-ons (ripple feeder, fruit feeder, etc.), as well as produce multiple flavours with varying styles.
Top tips for scaling ice cream production
The most important factor to remember when scaling up – is the vision you have for your business. Every decision, from equipment to packaging, should build into the ideal business you’re trying to grow. Here are a few things to ask yourself to guide your decision-making:
- Start by deciding how much ice cream you want to produce daily – and throughout the year. That will guide your choice of equipment so you invest in machines with the right capacity for your goals.
- Next, consider the variety of products you want to make. Machines can make everything from sticks, cones, and tubs to ice cream sandwiches. Consider the product range you’re looking to offer, it’ll help guide your equipment choice.
- Then, take a look at the practical requirements of the equipment. Do you have enough room for expansion and will you still have space to access them for maintenance and adjustments? Can you supply (and afford) the amount of power, compressed air, and chilled water they need to run? Answering these questions will also guide your decision.
- Finally, keep your future in mind. Choose equipment that can grow with your business. It’s better to invest in machines that will scale with you rather than hold you (and your production line) back.
Don’t think costs, think value
Last but not least, it’s important to rethink scaling ice cream production costs and the equipment involved. Sure, it requires you to fork out money upfront, but what you’re really doing is investing in your business. Increasing your production capacity will lower your per-unit costs, making your business more profitable in the long run. It will also reduce your labour costs as processes become automated. Plus, when you partner with a trusted equipment supplier, you’ll have access to energy-efficient equipment that will reduce your operating costs. And saving money means you’ll recover your investment faster. When you look at it this way, making the leap to semi-industrial production is a very smart move for your bottom line.
Success awaits
Scaling ice cream production can seem like a big step, but with the right equipment and support, it’s an exciting one. At Artisan Industrial, we’re not just ice cream equipment experts. We specialise in helping ice cream businesses like yours make the leap to the next level, supporting you as you grow. No matter what level you’re upgrading to, we’ve got the equipment and expertise to help you succeed. So, get in touch with us, and let’s take your ice cream business to new heights together.
