EUROPE’S largest private label ice cream maker will continue targeting rivals to strengthen its market position.

Bosses at R&R Ice Cream, in Leeming Bar, near Bedale, North Yorkshire, say they have not ruled out further deals for competitors, after enjoying successful moves into Australia and South Africa.

They also aim to launch more products to give the company a firmer industry foothold, particularly across European markets.

Earlier this year, R&R, which employs more than 600 staff at Leeming Bar, took on Nestlé South Africa to gain entry to the country’s £113m frozen treats market, having previously bought Australia’s Peters Food Group in a £250m deal to expand Down Under.

It also holds licences with Nestlé to make ice treats across brands such as Smarties, Aero and Kitkat for the UK, has a similar deal with Cadbury for its Dairy Milk, Crunchie and Cadbury Caramel products, and works with Mondel?z on Toblerone, Daim and Oreo treats for wider European markets.

However, officials say they have their sights on other avenues for expansion.

A report said: “We plan to continue to evaluate opportunities to selectively acquire businesses that may improve our market share and product offerings, reduce costs, or allow us to enter new geographical markets.

“We have completed ten acquisitions since 2007 and will also consider obtaining additional licensing agreements to sell well-established brand name products to improve our market share.

“We will continue to work with our retailer customers to develop new private label products, and intend to use our Nestlé, Mondel?z and Cadbury licences to market new and innovative products.

“We intend to increase our range under these licences and expand the geographical distribution of these across Europe.”

The company revealed its plans in a financial statement for the year to December 31, which showed revenues lifted to £591m, up from the £480m recorded in 2013.

Gross profit after exceptional items also increased, from £88m to £157m, with earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization up to £98m.

According to the report, R&R’s Leeming Bar factory, which is also its corporate headquarters, made 147 million litres of ice cream in 2014, the most of any of its production bases, which include sites in France, Germany, Poland and Italy.

Its previous acquisitions include deals in 2013 to buy Fredericks, to add Cadbury to its range, and to increase its stake in frozen yoghurt company Yoomoo.

The firm also previously took on Italy’s leading private label ice cream maker, Eskigel, and bought Germany’s Durigon Gelato to lift production in the country.

R&R was formed in 2006, when UK ice cream maker Richmond Foods merged with German counterpart Roncadin.