ICE cream is a delicacy that is enjoyed by everyone, old and young, rich or poor, especially children and women. Its consumption cuts across all socio-economic, ethnic and religious classes. It has nice flavour, smooth texture and high nutritive value. Its cooling and refreshing effect, especially during the dry season when heat and thirst are at their peak, makes it a product that is highly sought-after especially after meals.The Ice Cream MarketThe market for ice cream is universal. School children lick countless sticks per day during break and on their way home. One can produce and sell ice creams in candy bars, round plastic containers, cones, sticks and through the use of vending machines stationed strategically around or in the snack shops, supermarkets, schools and bus stops or even areas where there is a high concentration of residents or heavy pedestrian traffic. Hotels, restaurants, higher institutions, supermarkets, strategic joints and homes are traditional channels for ice cream sales.Mass-produced ice cream can also be supplied on contract to fast foods joints and any of the above-mentioned channels. The quantity consumed on daily basis is much. Low-priced ice cream sticks are children's favourites and sales run into millions of Naira per annum. The two largest producers of ice cream in the world are situated in France and the UK. Their only product is ice cream and their combined annual turnover runs into billions of dollars!Machinery And EquipmentThe essential equipment components are weighing balances, blending tank, pasteuriser, homogeniser, freezing unit and other sundry equipment. For anyone venturing into direct vending in strategically located points, automatic ice cream making machine is essential for each location. Production and vending are done right on the spot. All the relevant machinery can also be sourced from local companies that supply ice cream manufacturing equipment. Local fabricators who are experienced abound.Raw MaterialsThe raw materials for ice cream production include milk, eggs, cream, sugar, butter, water, flavour, food colourants, emulsion stabilisers, chocolates etc. Most of these raw materials are available locally from many of the companies and importers dealing on food and beverage additives. Packaging could be in small plastic containers but generally it comes in 250ml, 500ml, and one-litre, two-litre, and four-litre containers.Production ProcessesThe white of eggs is thoroughly wipped. Milk solids, emulsion stabiliser, flavour, sugar and colour are mixed with water in the right ratio and then added to butter and cream. These are all mixed with the wipped egg froth, pasteurised for some minutes, homogenised quickly and then frozen for about two hours before being sold to buyers.The average floor space required is about 40mX40m and a warehouse type of building is ideal. Provision has to be made for cold room or external water-cooling tower.Estimated Project CostThe cost of establishing an ice cream plant will depend on the level of production desired. That will determine the expected plant capacity and cost. It should therefore be noted that ice cream can be produced on a micro level solely for homes and on a large and small-scale for mass sale. On a small-scale basis, N750,000 is enough to establish a profitable ice cream business. This is made up of the cost of the following: preliminary expenses, machinery and equipment, space rental, utilities, working capital and contingency.ViabilityIce cream production has been proved to be a very financially rewarding business. You can imagine a world-renowned company producing and shipping ice cream worldwide to the extent that it is the largest producer in the world! It can be replicated here even if on a national level. And I know that Nigerians can and will do it.ImplementationFor this to be implemented, a well-packaged feasibility report is essential. The promoter has to register the company, rent the premises, buy and install the equipment, buy the start-up raw materials, recruit and train the relevant line staff and ensure that proper book-keeping procedures are put in place. Those investors who are seriously interested in knowing further what it takes generally to establish this project and indeed any other projects in terms of the details of sources and costs of equipment and other various assets, labour and acceptable management practices for optimum yield but who cannot afford a bankable feasibility report prepared for them can request for a copy of The Comprehensive Industrial Profile On Ice Cream Production.ConclusionEmbarking on ice cream production apart from producing a regular stream of profit for the promoter(s) will generate employment, improve the living standard of the investors and sellers of the product, help in the acquisition of the technology involved, etc. This is a product that has a large market, daily repeat-sales tendency and good returns on investment. It is highly recommended to DISCERNING prospective investors.For further information and assistance, serious investors should please contact Mr. DON ABRAHAM on (0812-478-3187; 0803-725-1974; 0704-149-5314,e-mail: wealthcreationideas@yahoo.com
Click here to read full news..
