Ice cream maker Northern Bloc scoops up two acquisitions, adding £2m to turnover

The businesses are two South East-based heritage brands, which manufacture dairy ice cream using traditional methods.

Criterion is bough by hundreds of thousands of theatre goers across the UK, identified by its striking, larger than usual tub, and is also found in restaurants. Marine Ices can be found in scooping parlours across the south of England, a British brand with a long-standing heritage.

Dirk Mischendahl, co-founder and director at Northern Bloc, said: “For some time we’ve been looking for new partners to work with as a way to grow our business.

"With our new production facility and the capacity that brings, now is the perfect time to take that step. We’re now set up to compete in this challenging environment and deliver the volumes we need to, whilst staying true to our values and, importantly, our Leeds roots.

"The acquisitions not only open new channels for Northern Bloc as a business, but their infrastructures also give us a dedicated distribution site in London, which we’re currently equipping to be able to support our new Leeds HQ.”

He added: “The acquisition of two well-established, heritage brands in dairy ice cream (Criterion was founded in 1920 and Marine in the 1930s) will allow us to continue to explore and innovate and develop Northern Bloc’s product offer, something which we’ve always been passionate about.

"In time, we’ll work with Criterion and Marine to showcase their heritage and quality, whist mirroring the sustainable manufacturing processes of Northern Bloc. We’re delighted to welcome these two artisan businesses to the Northern Bloc family.”

After signing the lease this summer, Northern Bloc’s new 30,000 sq ft premises is now fully operational, increasing its production capacity by 300 per cent and creating 10 new jobs.

The factory has been modified to accommodate ice cream production to BRC global standard for food safety standards.

It includes a new ice cream innovation lab and customer tasting room.

The new site is 200 per cent more efficient than Northern Bloc’s previous manufacturing site, the company said.

The three production lines are supported by sustainable manufacturing innovations including: purpose built, energy efficient chilling systems, LED lighting and a heat recovery system, which delivers a 40 per cent energy saving.

The factory is also in the process of installing solar panels, which will eventually deliver 70 per cent of its power. The premises are also set to save 70 tankers of water per year and 2.7 tonnes of plastic, with a new packaging innovation set to launch in 2023.

Northern Bloc is based on North Street in Leeds.