Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Firm’s scoop n-ice work!
Soave’s expands thanks to grants
A Muirhead-based ice cream manufacturer has completed a £ 200,000 investment programme thanks to support from Business Gateway Lanarkshire.
Soave’s has purchased new machinery increasing production to 3500 litres per day and doubled the size of the freezer storage room at its dairy.
The two-year project has led to five new contracts including supplying products to selected Morrisons and Scotmid supermarkets; while the firm has also exhibited at trade events including the Royal Highland Show for the first time, and has also invested in branding, packaging, marketing and its website.
General manager Valerie Adam said: “A lot of hard work and a significant amount of investment have gone into changing the way we work, helping us transform the business to meet the demands of our growing order book.
“As we’ve increased production capacity and storage, we are now able to stock build our product for the first time which gives us the potential to add further production shifts when demand dictates.”
She praised Business Gateway adviser Paul McIlvenny, saying: “His knowledge and connections have helped us throughout the whole process, linking us with experts including the Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Services and helping us secure funding – such as a grant from North Lanarkshire Council – that made the expansion possible.
“In particular, his help with our By Design grant application allowed us to create a new website, rebrand, take product photography, set up Facebook, brand our vehicles, and produce a brochure that has helped us secure a significant amount of new and repeat business.”
Paul McIlvenny added: “The management team knew that our expertise at Business Gateway would help them achieve their ambitious growth plans.
“We were also able to help them secure grants to work with a marketing consultant and attend the Royal Highland Show, which ultimately led to a potential partnership currently being discussed that could see their products go UK-wide next year.”
The Soaves first moved to Scotland in 1914 and established their cafe and ice cream business in Coatbridge. The Muirhead base was purchased by Angelo Valente, uncle of current owner Eric Soave, in the 1950s.
Eric went into partnership with his uncle in the 1970s and has continued it since Angelo’s retirement, with the construction of the manufacturing plant which employs 14 people.
Eric said: “The dairy is thriving and recognition of our brand is growing every day.
“I’ve made a point of embracing change and looking for opportunities it presents; I’d like to thank Business Gateway Lanarkshire for its support in helping us successfully capitalise on those, and I’m sure they will help us seize many more in the future.”
● For details on Business Gateway Lanarkshire, visit www.bgateway. com/ lanarkshire or call 01236 884825.