Company History
Icefresh Foods was born in 1983 after two successful local businessmen, Doug Seybold and Mike Bowen decided to go it alone. They had met a few years previous at Ross Frozen Foods, where Doug was in Marketing and Mike in Buying.
Doug Seybold was a successful entrepreneurial Marketeer. Having worked at JWT in London, he then moved to Marketing and Product Development with Ross Frozen Foods London Head Office. In the early 1970's he joined the International Marketing Team for Ovaltine and other products, based in Switzerland, returning to the UK in the late 1970's.
Early in 1983, With both Doug and Mike facing redundancy and an uncertain future, they united their interests, pooled their resources and set up their own business.
With their existing contacts and knowledge built up throughout their careers they started to import sweetcorn from Canada, main stream vegetables from southern Europe and Ice Lollies from Holland. These would then be sold to Retailers, such as Iceland, Tesco and Independent Retailers; and Manufacturers, such as Findus and Ross Frozen Foods.
From very modest and humble beginnings, Icefresh steadily grew from 4 people to double figures.
Following a short illness, Mike Bowen died in 1987 and Doug became Managing Director.
Icefresh Foods has always looked at diversifying to strengthen the business, and to offer universal foods, adding Ice Cream in the late 80’s and Frozen Patisseries in the early 90’s.
Just 6 months from retirement, Doug died suddenly in 2002. This led to his Wife Mandy selling the business to the Senior Management Team who vowed to continue with Doug’s company vision in being an essential part of our customers business through integrity, honesty and service.
In 2006, Poppies, a global frozen and ambient bakery business acquired sole ownership.
Icefresh Foods decided to exit the frozen vegetable business in 2008 to concentrate solely on delivering exceptional desserts, ice cream and party foods.
| 1983 | Doug Seybold and Mike Bowen establish Icefresh Foods Ltd in Cromer, Norfolk Concentrate on the importing of sweetcorn from Canada, main stream vegetables from southern Europe and ice lollies from Holland Turnover £1.2m |
| 1985 | Adds another European vegetable factory, Unifrost of Belgium |
| 1987 | Following the death of Mike Bowen, Doug Seybold becomes majority shareholder and Managing Director |
| 1988 | Ice Cream is added to the portfolio, along with exotic fruit from China and Fine Beans from Kenya |
| 1990 | Ross Donaldson, first Senior Appointment joins the business and Heads up Technical and Supply Chain |
| 1991 | Ross Donaldson becomes Director |
| 1992 | Move to largers offices in Cromer, Norfolk |
| 1993 | Frozen Patisseries added to the portfolio, with Icefresh representing Poppies International |
| 1996 | Wider vegetable sourcing to Turkey and Eastern Europe |
| 1998 | Extra Ice Cream range from Ijsboerke added along with additional patisserie products from Quality Pastries |
| 1999 | Having outgrown the second office space, Icefresh Foods Limited move to current building in Holt, Norfolk Turnover £14m |
| 2001 | New organic factory in Germany opens, giving Icefresh Foods a wider range for retail and ingredients markets 19 full time staff Turnover £25m |
| 2002 | Founding Director Doug Seybold suddenly dies The Seybolds shares are sold to the Icefresh Management Team |
| 2006 | Poppies purchases Icefresh foods Ltd |
| 2007 | New chilled patisseries launch in to UK retail sector |
| 2008 | Weight Watchers Iced Desserts license added to branded portfolio |
| 2009 | Phil Webster appointed Managing Director |
| 2011 | Gains Silver Award in the Best Ice Cream Category at the annual BFFF Awards Dinner |