Here we are, once again approaching the merry festivities of Christmas 2014, and what a year it has been. Official annual ice cream sales figures haven’t been released yet but from what we’ve heard from our clients in the UK and further afield, it’s been a profitable year, a successful year and a year that will be looked back on with fond memories.

One thing in particular that caught our eye in 2014 is the availability and popularity of new flavours. Manufacturers around the world have started producing new flavour combinations that have appealed to a new kind of audience, and despite being a little bizarre in part, they actually they work really well. Strawberry and balsamic vinegar, coffee and doughnut, honey and ginger are all examples of perfect flavour groupings that haven’t been available on a mass scale, before now. 

However, not all flavours that have reached the shelves have sounded quite as appetising; squid ink, octopus and haggis to name a few. But, these strange flavours got us thinking ‘can you have a traditional Christmas dinner made up of just ice cream’? As it happens you can, so rather than the usual annual review, here’s how impress, or depress, your family and friends this year when it comes to Christmas dinner:

Starter

Christmas starters differ from family to family but we’ve chosen a classic in the form of smoked salmon. Normally served on a bellini with perhaps a little caviar or cracked black pepper and a squeeze of lemon, but with thanks to the weird and wonderful Max & Mina’s Homemade Ice Cream in Queens, USA, it can now be served in a bowl in ice cream form (no. 5 in the list here). So how about this to kick-off your Christmas meal, and why not further the Christmas cheer by washing it down with Marshfields champagne sorbet? 

Main Course
Now for the show-stopper…under normal circumstances. If you don’t feel like slaving over a hot oven all day, simply scoop the main course onto your plate, starting with a slice of turkey and cranberry flavoured ice cream from Fochabers Ice Cream Shop. As we all know though, the main is more than just the meat at Christmas so accompany this with a side of carrot (and orange) ice cream from Haagen Dazs and finish with a scoop of potato ice cream, although you’ll have to make this yourself, but here’s how

Dessert 
The flavours are obviously a little less outlandish when it comes to desserts, but perfect for finishing a ‘traditional’ Christmas dinner is the ‘traditional’ Christmas pudding. This year why not treat yourself to a little of Heston’s Christmas pudding ice cream from Waitrose ? It looks divine and, for the adults out there, make it that little more indulgent with a scoop of Marshfields brandy clotted cream ice cream.  

So there you have it, Christmas dinner in ice cream form. Admittedly it won’t be for everyone, if anyone but if your heart desires, it can be achieved thanks to all the ice cream manufacturers that think outside the box of normality.

2014 has indeed been a great year for Machinery World and before we go we’d like to say thanks to all of those who have helped it be this way, we couldn’t have done it without you.

Merry Christmas one and all, we wish you fantastic day and a happy New Year, and remember, enjoy your Christmas dinner, whether traditional or cold.

We’re all aware of the mounting pressure that volatile commodity prices are placing dairy farmers under here in the UK, as well as abroad. Challenging supermarkets on what they pay for milk is undoubtedly going to be a long and difficult road, but there are more and more options opening for those wanting to limit their exposure and diversify into new markets, namely, the ice cream sector.

To start with, the Ice Cream Alliance (ICA), the trade body for the UK’s ice cream industry, are very approachable and happy to offer advice to those uncertain about expanding operations, or unsure where to even start.  Now, further to this free guidance, the ICA are offering training and support packages to help farmers create successful products and businesses. 

Zelica Carr, CEO of the ICA, said in a recent interview with the Yorkshire Post: “There are plenty of opportunities for dairy farmers to break into the ice cream market. The industry is currently enjoying one of its best ever years and the sector is forecast to continue its growth for at least the next five years.

“We can offer farmers a superb business start-up service with advice and training from some of the industry’s most skilled and experienced operators.

“Already many dairy farmers have joined our association and are now running highly successful businesses. They have discovered that instead of getting just a few pence per litre for their milk they can turn it into ice cream and increase their yield to more than £18 per litre.”

Purchasing the necessary machinery to diversify into the ice cream industry doesn’t need to cost the earth either, with secondhand machinery offering a cheaper, less risky investment option.  

Buying secondhand machinery doesn’t mean that the standard of equipment is any less than that of a new machine. Certainly at Machinery World, every machine is meticulously tested, cleaned and, should any parts need replacing, then they are done so before the machine is re-sold. Another huge advantage is the price with it not being an uncommon occurrence for machines to sell for half the price of the new equivalent. 

With the primary ingredient on their door step, ice cream production could be seen as an almost natural progression for milk farmers, and it could be the progression that offers a fresh start and ultimately, the opportunity to change their fortunes for years to come. 

So, with the guidance, support and machinery available at a reasonable price, the opportunity to break into a new market isn’t unrealistic and, the chances of success are significantly increased.

For more information about any of the subject matter in this blog post, please do get in touch. 

Machinery World, experts in sourcing and reselling second hand machinery of the highest quality, has launched a new website to improve the customer experience and reflect the modern, outward thinking of the company.

In an internet lead world, a business’s website is, in the large majority of cases, the first port of call for potential customers interested in its products or services. It is the 24 hour shop window where first, and lasting, impressions are created. As a result it is important that the website, both visually and functionally, portrays the company, its messages and aspirations.

Machinery World’s new site designed and developed by design agency HTDL, utilises the very latest in sleek, responsive design to represent its forward thinking attitude towards the evolution of the dairy machinery market, and determination to bring the buying experience into the 21st century.

Paul Crowter, Managing Director of Machinery World, commented: “We continually try to keep ourselves at the forefront of the secondhand machinery industry, and the new site reflects these ambitions perfectly. The contemporary design shows our modern and evolving outlook, the easy navigation shows our commitment to improving the buying experience and the unrivalled functionality reflects our openness about the company and its machines.”

However, it’s not just all about the style, it’s about the content too. As well as much improved navigation and functionality, Machinery World has also enhanced the quality of information made available to customers at the beginning of the buying journey.

All machines boast high levels of information in a cleaner layout and where possible, relevant technical documents are available to download. Users can now also zoom in and enlarge machine images ensuring complete transparency as to the structural stability and condition of the unit.

Paul continued: “As a company we’re really proud of the machines we buy and sell, as well as the quality of the service we offer. With the level of information available on the new site, both written and visually, we leave nothing to the imagination. Even before a customer contacts us, they already know everything about the machine they’re interested in. We feel this openness increases trust, reputation and helps create lasting relationships.”

As acting and in some cases sole agents, the website also features new machines from ROKK Processing, Cattabriga, Coldelite and Promag, as well as pages concerning company and industry news and Machinery World’s additional services, namely on and off site servicing and machine commissioning.