Personality of the Year
Yorkshire farmer turned ice cream magnate James Lambert has a single business ambition. The boss of Europe’s largest own-label ice cream manufacturer, R&R Ice Cream, aims to rival the ice cream business of food giant Unilever.
Lambert told Food Manufacture: “Our aim is to be a serious number two competitor to Unilever in Europe.” Unilever’s growing strength was putting pressure on family ice cream businesses which made them ripe for acquisition, he told us.
After a string of purchases last year, Lambert is making steady progress toward realising his ambition. In December R&R Ice Cream acquired German ice cream maker Durigon Gelato for an undisclosed sum.
Lambert also forged a partnership with Kraft Foods, which was predicted to generate up to £100M in sales.
With a well-stocked war chest and an appetite for expansion, expect to hear of more R&R Ice Cream acquisitions over the course of this year and beyond.