BICO Executive Chairman, Edwin Thirlwell (third from left), looking over plans for the new BICO manufacturing plant with (from left) insulation contractor, Bentley Haynes; Main contractor, Oriel Forde; and Commercial Director of BICO, Haydn Alleyne.
Here during an equipment inspection are from left, Grantley Parris, Refrigeration & Air conditioning Consultant; BICO Executive Chairman, Edwin Thirlwell; Paul Hinds, BICO Engineering Manager (partly hidden); and Haydn Alleyne, Commercial Director of BICO.
BUSINESS MONDAY: REOPENING SOON
Installation of a new modern ice cream factory is well under way at BICO Limited, Harbour Road, and Barbadians should be enjoying locally made BICO Ice Cream by mid-year.
Executive Chairman, Edwin Thirlwell, said necessary construction was well advanced, and installation of the new manufacturing equipment was expected to be completed in the near future.
He said he was sure most Barbadians would be excited to see that BICO’s keenly anticipated homecoming was now just around the corner. It was also exciting, Thirlwell said, to see that Barbados’ “heritage” ice cream company, would have its long-awaited homecoming in 2020, the year of “We Gatherin’”.
The Executive Chairman said BICO ice cream is one of those products that is of historical significance to Barbados, and which has heritage value for Barbadians.
“The opening of this new local factory is a historic event which will fit very well into the principle of We Gatherin’, and Barbadians can look forward to us making this reopening extra special with promotions designed to include them in the celebration,” said Thirlwell.
The new BICO factory will also be equipped to offer tours to locals and tourists, schools, camps, and the like, allowing the ice cream manufacturing process to be viewed from special visitor gallery located behind a glass panel, so as not to compromise food safety regulations.
“Requests for bookings have already been coming in. We are looking to make this tour both exciting and educational for children and adults, both from an ice cream manufacturing and historical perspective.”
Customer satisfaction remains BICO’s top priority and the new facility will be equipped to produce a wider range of products and flavours to meet customer demand. A hospitality room for sampling and entertainment is another feature of the new BICO plant, which will be fully compliant with international HACCP standards.