Wafer sparkles at national ice cream awards

Wafer Ltd, the market leading Northern Irish manufacturer of ice cream biscuit and waffle cones, wafers and other products, gained the 'Best New Product Award at the National Ice Cream Awards held at Harrogate in Yorkshire.

Based in Derry, the company which produces upwards of 50 million cones and wafers every year for customers in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland, gained the prestigious award for its novel 'Honeycomb Sparkler' cone.

The unique waffle cone is dipped in chocolate and rolled in honeycomb pieces to give it a sparkle, creating a tasty ice cream treat.

Neil Doherty, managing director of the family business that was founded in 1989, says: "Winning such a prestigious award for the first time at this very impressive event is a marvelous boost for the company in what is now our most important marketplace.

"This endorsement of our focus on our longstanding commitment to new product development at the ice cream industry's trade event will be of immense assistance as we seek to drive sales throughout Britain and Ireland. We have our own sales team in Britain working with our agents in building sales with thousands of ice cream parlours and other outlets."

Among other highly innovative products developed by the company, which currently employs 22 people in Derry, is a special red, white and blue cone for last year's London Olympic Games.

The company pioneered the development of decorated waffle cones and oyster shell wafers. It is now the largest producer of waffle cones in Ireland.

Wafer acquired its main competitor, Fiesta Cone Company, in 1995 and is now a UK market leader with a broad portfolio of products for the ice cream industry. In addition to biscuit and waffle cones, Wafer supplies, frozen yoghurt, whipped ice cream and milkshake mix, artisan flavours and dressings, ice cream containers, hygiene products and shop accessories.

Wafer's innovation was recognised at the awards, part of the annual Ice Cream Expo. The event, organised by the Ice Cream Alliance, the primary trade body, is highlighted the contribution of the ice cream industry to the UK economy.

Ice cream is currently a £1 billion industry which has remained buoyant during the present economic difficulties.The alliance's role is to encourage and support the production, vending and consumption of premium quality ice creams and other frozen treats.