Nestle/Ice Cream partners: Novel operation

Abstract

Since Nestle Ice Cream Co. acquired High Dairies' ice cream plant in Laurel, Maryland, in late 1996, it has turned the facility into one of the most efficient and high volume ice cream novelty operations in the US. The output of the plant, which has been totally renovated and nearly doubled in size to 94,000 sq. ft. since its acquisition, is now more than double 1997's output. And so far this year, efficiency is exceeding 97%, while first-time quality is better than 99%. The plant is now part of Ice Cream Partners USA, the joint venture that took place last August between Nestle USA's Ice Cream Division and Pillsbury's Haagen-Dazs subsidiary. Laurel produces dozens of SKUs at present on 6 high-speed novelty lines that run cones and molded stick novelties. The plant's manufacturing processes are discussed.