How to Start Ice Cream Making Manufacturing Business TE-87

Are you interested in starting an Ice Cream company? Check out this comprehensive business plan guide to learn how to set up an Ice Cream manufacturing factory.

Ice cream production can start on a small scale with limited capital investments. It’s created by mixing together milk products, sugar, flavorings, stabilizers, and air. This tasty treat is popular amongst all age groups and especially children.

You may like to read: Top 60 Small Scale Manufacturing Business Ideas

Is Ice cream Making Business Profitable?

Ice cream is a hugely successful $11 billion industry in the US, according to Dairy Deliver from IDFA. It provides 26,000 direct jobs and gives $1.6 billion in direct wages.

Ice cream is becoming more popular, especially in cities and other major urban centers. It is often seen at social gatherings and meetings even in villages and small towns. Its consumption is expected to continue to rise in the future.

Ice Cream Manufacturing Business Plan Guide for Beginners

Here are 8 steps you can take to launch a successful ice cream manufacturing business:

1. Create a Business Plan

If you want to open an ice cream business and make a profit, research other ice cream companies in your area and create a detailed plan. Spend some time writing out the different components of your ice cream business plan.

2. Choose a Location for an Ice cream Manufacturing Factory

Choosing the right place for your factory is essential. It should be close to where you plan on selling your products since it will help keep distribution costs low and ensure profitability.

3. Name your Ice Cream Manufacturing Business

Choose a memorable and attention-grabbing name for your business, then check if that domain name is available if you’re planning to start a website.

4. Make the Business Legally Compliant

You’ll need to obtain the necessary permits and licenses from your local government in order to open an ice cream manufacturing business; these regulations may vary by state or country.

Additionally, select an appropriate legal form to operate an ice cream production business.

For example, forming an LLC can provide some additional benefits for those from the United States, however, there may be an extra cost.

5. Machine & Equipment for Ice Cream Production

Choosing the right machinery depends on the output you want to achieve. For a small-scale manufacturing unit, the basic machinery needed includes:

Refrigeration compressor
M.S. Brink Tank
Condenser for cooling, with an assembly line.
Agitator fan assembly
Liquid receiver
Thermocole
Cart trolleys
Ice-cream freezer
Dehydrator

6. Cost of Starting Ice Cream Manufacturing Unit

The amount you need to spend will vary according to the size and productivity of your ice cream-making business. It is possible to start a small-scale venture with just $7000 to $15,000.

7. Ice Cream Manufacturing Process

Here is a basic guide to learning about the process of manufacturing ice cream: Understand how ice cream is made.

Manufacturing ice cream involves three steps. First, the raw ingredients like milk, powder, sugar, and fats including cream, butter, and vegetable fats have to be homogenized and heated together at a temperature of 65-85°C for a certain duration.

Step 1 of Making Ice Cream

To begin with, the raw ingredients – mainly milk along with milk powder, sugar, and fat sources like cream, butter, or vegetable fats – must be heated and blended to emulsify fat in the mixture.

To exterminate any dangerous bacteria, the blend is heated to 65-85°C for a predetermined time, known as pasteurization. The heat application instructions usually come from the Food Regulations in the product’s country of origin.

Step 2 of Making Ice Cream

After the heated process, the mix must be cooled quickly to comply with regulations–normally within 1.5 hours down to 7°C or lower, and equipment usually further cools it down to 4°C. Then comes aging before flavorings like strawberry, mint, vanilla, and other fruit pastes can be added.

Step 3 of Making Ice Cream

To complete the ice cream mix, it is quickly frozen at temperatures between -6 and -9 degrees Celsius in either a continuous or batch freezer. Air is incorporated into the mixture during this process, which results in a final product similar to soft-serve ice cream.

8. Promote your Products

Promoting your ice cream is vital for establishing your brand. Strategies like making brochures, and flyers and having a website will help to build customer trust in your company.