A LASER engineering specialist has manufactured dispensers for the UK's biggest ice cream maker.

Malton Laser built components for 5,000 dispensing machines for Richmond Ice Cream.

The engineering firm, based in Malton, North Yorkshire, cut the central chassis for the Nestle Ice Creamery dispensers, which are sold by Richmond to retailers across the country to dispense their product during the peak selling season.

The three-month production project follows Richmond Ice Cream's purchase last year of the successful Ice Creamery business from the Dairygold Cooperative Society.

Andy Downes, Richmond's national business manager for the Nestle Ice Creamery system, said: "We took a long hard look at the rapidly growing soft ice cream sector, we then took all the strengths of the previous ice creamery system, added to them and improved them."

In addition to the manufacturing contract for the dispensers, Malton Laser also produced the main components for a dozen Nestle Ice Creamery handcarts which were installed in all of London's royal parks.

The handcarts were based on a traditional design but capable of including the latest refrigeration technology with a re-chargeable 12-volt battery supply.

Malton Laser, founded by Charles Corner in 2000, employs 24 staff at an 11,000sq ft site on the Pyramid Industrial Estate, in Malton and has just recorded its first £1m annual turnover.