In a significant move for the UAE’s food manufacturing landscape, dessert maker Pure Ice Cream has revealed plans to invest AED 80 million (approximately $21.8 million) in a state-of-the-art factory located within Dubai Industrial City. This investment underscores Pure Ice Cream’s commitment to expanding its operations and enhancing its production capabilities, while also bolstering the region’s food and beverage sector.
Pure Ice Cream, known for popular brands like Kwality Ice Creams and Hershey’s Ice Cream, has been a staple in the UAE’s dessert market. As the flagship brand, Kwality Ice Creams is distributed in over 8,000 retail locations throughout the UAE, extending its reach into neighboring GCC countries and even African markets, including Tanzania and Ethiopia.
Ambitious Plans for Dubai Industrial City
The upcoming Pure Ice Cream facility is planned for construction in the food and beverage zone of Dubai Industrial City, positioning it to become one of the largest ice cream production facilities in the UAE by its completion in 2026. Covering a built-up area of 160,000 square feet on a 246,000 square foot plot, the new plant aims to increase Pure Ice Cream’s annual production capacity by 300 percent, reaching an impressive 30 million liters. This expansion is pivotal to the company’s strategy for growth both regionally and internationally, fostering a stronger presence in the local F&B manufacturing sector.
Supporting the UAE’s Economic Vision
Saud Abu Alshawareb, Executive Vice President of TECOM Group, emphasized the importance of a self-sustaining food and beverage sector for the future economy. “The visionary Dubai Economic Agenda ‘D33’, Operation 300bn, and Make it in the Emirates are foundational pillars upon which this robust future is actively being constructed in the UAE,” he stated. The establishment of Pure Ice Cream’s facility aligns with the UAE’s National Food Security Strategy 2051, showcasing a decisive step towards building a resilient and sustainable economy.
Vikram Seth, Managing Director of Pure Ice Cream, also highlighted the strategic significance of the new factory’s location. “Dubai Industrial City’s strategic location close to crucial transport networks, in addition to its world-class infrastructure and supportive ecosystem, make it an ideal choice to establish our new facility,” he said. He added that this strategic positioning will facilitate the company’s ability to capture new business opportunities while efficiently managing larger production volumes.
Economic Impact and Job Creation
As part of the new facility’s development, Pure Ice Cream anticipates the creation of over 300 specialized jobs, contributing significantly to the local economy and the advancement of the manufacturing sector. The factory will be equipped with cutting-edge semi-automated and fully automated manufacturing systems, which will enhance the company’s capability to serve key markets across the GCC, USA, Africa, and Southeast Asia effectively.
Overall, Pure Ice Cream’s investment of $21.8 million in a factory at Dubai Industrial City marks a notable enhancement to the UAE’s food and beverage landscape and illustrates the company’s long-term vision for growth and innovation in the industry.