A lot has happened since 1860…
Founded in 1860, The Ice Co is Europe’s leading ice manufacturer and the UK’s No.1 ice brand, with bestselling products such as Super Cubes, Polar Cube and Party Ice.
Almost 160 years later, The Ice Co° still operates with the same entrepreneurial spirit and passion for ice since it began. Now led by the sixth generation of the Marr family, keeping our customers cool is still at the forefront of everything we do, which is celebrated in the range of ice products we offer.
The Ice Co° values are to continue to lead the ice market with innovative products and processes and with brands that are internationally recognised.
It all started six generations ago with Joseph Marr, an entrepreneurial young fish and ice merchant in Hull. Fishing fleets needed to keep their catch cold, however ice wasn’t so readily available in those days so he imported glacial ice from Norway.
It all started six generations ago with Joseph Marr, an entrepreneurial young fish and ice merchant in Hull. Fishing fleets needed to keep their catch cold, however ice wasn’t so readily available in those days so he imported glacial ice from Norway.
Joseph Marr bought his first fishing vessel and expanded his fleet over the following fifteen years. Moving to Fleetwood in 1896.
Spotting an opportunity in the market, son of Joseph Marr – James, founded The Fylde Ice Company and the first ice factory was built to produce crushed ice for fishermen and trawlers.
Spotting an opportunity in the market, son of Joseph Marr – James, founded The Fylde Ice Company and the first ice factory was built to produce crushed ice for fishermen and trawlers.
The demand for cold storage was high, so Fylde Ice built its first cold store to offer cold storage services to fish merchants. Over the following years, demand for ice continued but more so now for its use in the home. Following a trip to America (where ice was already developing rapidly in the retail market) and with an entrepreneurial spirit an ice machine was bought to enable production of ice for wholesale and food service market.
By 1987, ice demand was so much so that Fylde Ice invested in their ice manufacturing and Party Ice, our best selling product today, was sold for the first time!
By 1987, ice demand was so much so that Fylde Ice invested in their ice manufacturing and Party Ice, our best selling product today, was sold for the first time!
An ice factory was bought in Newark (Polarcube) to allow the business to grow and develop further into retail.
The Ice Co’s spring water site in East Yorkshire was bought to fulfil a demand for spring water ice cubes.
The Ice Co’s spring water site in East Yorkshire was bought to fulfil a demand for spring water ice cubes.
Continued growth and investment led to the purchase of a new site in West Yorkshire, home to our head office. A new state of the art ice factory was built and cold storage services were expanded to third party customers.
Now led by Generation Six of the Marr family, with the continued entrepreneurial spirit and passion as Joseph Marr and successive generations. A company rebrand and streamline split ice manufacturing and cold storage services into 2 separate entities, aptly named – The Ice Co (that’s us!) and The Ice Co Storage & Logistics (our sister company).
Now led by Generation Six of the Marr family, with the continued entrepreneurial spirit and passion as Joseph Marr and successive generations. A company rebrand and streamline split ice manufacturing and cold storage services into 2 separate entities, aptly named – The Ice Co (that’s us!) and The Ice Co Storage & Logistics (our sister company).
The Ice Co lead the ice market in the UK and Europe and are awarded ‘Exporter of the Year’ at the Grocer Gold Awards. The range is given a new look and a new product – Super Cubes – is launched following a demand for an extra large, slow melting, premium spring water ice cube for use in more premium drinks.
A range of award winning frozen cocktails launched under the ‘Ice & Easy’ brand.
A range of award winning frozen cocktails launched under the ‘Ice & Easy’ brand.
A brand new look for the ice range, as well as major factory investment to launch a brand new product, Premium Ice our large ice cubes for everyday drinks. Frozen Ice Shot Glasses were launched in Tesco for Christmas and Frozen Rose and Fizz were launched in the Ice & Easy range.
Party Ice celebrated its 30th birthday and the UK had its hottest summer on record!
Party Ice celebrated its 30th birthday and the UK had its hottest summer on record!
It’s the year we’ll never forget! Although 2020 didn’t start as we might have planned, we were over the moon to WIN x2 fantastic awards including SME Brand of the Year at the Grocer Gold Awards and Frozen Food Manufacturer of the Year at the Food Manufacturer Excellence awards for the second year running.
Our bestselling Premium Ice Cubes were rebranded to Polar Cube. The very first National Ice Cube Day took place on 21st June!
Our bestselling Premium Ice Cubes were rebranded to Polar Cube. The very first National Ice Cube Day took place on 21st June!
We were awarded ‘Great Place to Work’ certification after surveying our entire workforce with questions around culture, benefits and overall happiness in the workplace!