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Spanish ice cream manufacturer La Menorquina has announced an investment of more than €15 million in a new high-performance production line at its Palau-solità i Plegamans facility in Barcelona.
The new line, which is said to be the largest capital expenditure in the plant's history, is scheduled to be operational by the end of 2026.
It will add 1,100-square-metres of production space and increase the total number of lines at the facility to 23. Designed for both efficiency and sustainability, the installation will be capable of producing 30,000 units per hour, equivalent to 10 million litres of ice cream annually.
According to the company, the line is unique globally in its ability to manufacture multiple product formats on the same high-capacity system, including bonbons, sandwiches and spiral-shaped ice creams. The upgrade will complement the plant’s current output of 34 million litres per year.
The Barcelona site is already the largest ice cream factory in Catalonia and one of the biggest in Spain. With a workforce of approximately 750 employees – more than 500 of whom are based at the Palau-solità i Plegamans plant – the company expects the new line to generate over 150 additional jobs.
The investment was formally presented during a visit to the factory by Spain’s Minister of Industry and Tourism, Jordi Hereu. Regional and local authorities also attended, underscoring the project’s industrial and economic significance.
During the visit, Hereu described La Menorquina as "an example of success in the Spanish food industry," highlighting its ability to combine local roots with innovation and long-term vision. He emphasised the growing value of authenticity in global markets and pointed to the company as a model of how local heritage can drive both industrial and tourism development.
Iván Leal, CEO of La Menorquina, said the investment will allow the company to “continue serving customers with greater efficiency and competitiveness, while reinforcing our position as a leading player in the sector.”
He reaffirmed the company’s commitment to quality, innovation, proximity and environmental responsibility, values established by founder Fernando Sintes when the company was established in Menorca in 1940.
La Menorquina has recorded sustained annual growth of 15% since 2019. In 2025, the company reported revenues of €131 million and is forecasting further double-digit growth in 2026.
Export markets account for more than one-third of total sales, with the UK US, Portugal and France serving as key destinations across nearly 40 countries. The company says the new production line will support its ongoing domestic and international expansion, while advancing toward a more efficient and sustainable industrial model.
Top image: © Jordi Hereu on LinkedIn
