Introduction
At Dupon Foodtech, we’ve been at the heart of the ice cream industry for decades, designing and manufacturing high-quality equipment that empowers businesses worldwide. Driven by a passion for continuous innovation and consistent performance, we offer a full range of solutions tailored to the needs of small, medium, and large-scale producers. Our machines can fill anything from cones and tubs to pints and squeeze-tubes, making us a trusted partner for companies that demand precision, efficiency, and reliability.
Our commitment to quality extends beyond our products—we’re here to support our clients with exceptional customer service, advanced training, and technical expertise. Whether it’s our versatile ice cream fillers, state-of-the-art plate hardening tunnels, or sustainable packaging options, each Dupon Foodtech innovation is crafted with one goal: to enable our customers to create world-class ice cream novelties at an industrial scale.
With our team’s expertise and dedication to sustainable practices, we’re not just suppliers; we’re partners in our clients’ success. Let Dupon Foodtech bring your ice cream vision to life.
Mission Statement
To disrupt the ice cream production industry by designing, manufacturing, and providing innovative, high-quality equipment, machinery, and ice cream novelty ingredients and packaging that enable our customers to create the finest ice cream and novelties at an industrial scale. We are committed to delivering exceptional value through state-of-the-art technology, unparalleled customer service, and sustainable practices.
Vision Statement
To be the global leader in ice cream production solutions, empowering businesses to delight consumers with the highest quality ice cream novelties. We envision a future where our innovative machinery, quality products, and packaging set the standard for efficiency, reliability, and sustainability, driving the success of our customers and the growth of the ice cream industry worldwide.
WORLD-LEADING FAMILY BUSINESS
Biscuits Dupon has its roots in Italy at the beginning of the 19th century. Our family-owned business passed down its drive, passion and expertise from generation to generation. Today, we are proud to be a major world leader with flourishing branches all over the world.
End of 19th century – 1950
At the end of the 19th century, the Italian Di Meo family started manually baking and rolling ice cream cones. A few years later, the family moved to Brussels, Belgium, with their children, where they established an artisanal ice cream cone company. One of the company’s employees, Prosper Dupon, focused on developing the business in Ghent. He married the family’s daughter, Louise Di Meo, and they settled down in Ichtegem, where they began producing artisanal ice cream biscuits after World War II (1945). Thus, Biscuits Dupon was born. After purchasing a semi-automatic oven, the company expanded and quickly became one of the three main players in the Benelux.
1950 – 1996
In the sixties, their daughter Jeannine Dupon and her husband Georges D’Hoore took over the company. They transitioned from artisanal to industrial production. This required a significant investment that involved some risks, but it proved to be a very successful one. This marked the beginning of an era of rapid international growth. In 1995, the sister company Kadipack was founded, which produces aluminium sleeves.
1997 – Today
Since 1997, Dick D’Hoore (Georges and Jeannine’s son) has been in charge of the family business. He initiated the successful acquisition of “La Bastille,” the ice cream cone brand of the French multinational France Cones, and the Brussels-based Liobel. The three companies merged and settled in Ichtegem. In 2007, Kadipack was sold, and its machinery was transferred to Saudi Arabia. The following year, Biscuits Dupon acquired France Cones and its offices in France, Germany, and Russia. In 2014, the company took over the Big Drum Group, a global leader in ice cream cones, packaging, and ice cream filling equipment. Today, Biscuits Dupon has flourishing branches in Belgium, France, Germany. Spain, Italy, Columbia, Morocco, Brazil and the United States of America All the acquired companies have been united under the D’Hoore Group holding, which is now the world leader in the industrial production of ice cream cones.
BIG DRUM has a long and significant history in the ice cream industry …
HISTORY
1928
The Drumstick Company was created by Mr. Parker in Forth Worth, Texas
1947
Merged with Cream Cone Baking Co. and relocated to Columbus, OH
1955
To defend Drumstick, developed automated filling systems for cones, lead to cups & push-up tubes, Expanded worldwide w/baking & machinery in E.U. – Big Drum
1965
The first European BIG DRUM facility was built in Germany (Gudensberg). Wafer baking and distribution of US ice cream equipment
Until 1980
BIG DRUM is a family owned company
1980
Alco Standard Corp. acquires the firm, new management team.
1985
Create divisions to support Brand Licensing (Drumstick) & Industrial Supply (Frosty Paws, Flintstones Push Up, Simply Sundae)
1984
BIG DRUM starts building ice cream machines in Germany to serve the global market.
1985
Incorporation of all European Big Drum companies into BIG DRUM EUROPE
1989
Founding of BIG DRUM Pacific as part of BIG DRUM EUROPE
1991
Acquired by Nestle – Nestle licensed novelties & Carnation Dairies combined to create Nestle Dairy Systems
1994
MBO financed by the private equity company Code Hennessy & Simmons
1995
Nestle divested of industrial supply division which formed as Norse Dairy Systems, leading supplier of novelty systems: Cones, Cups, Tubes & Equipment
2000
MBO of European BIG DRUM companies financed by Rabobank and Spanish investor
2000
Interbake Foods Acquisition of: Ace Baking (February), Norse Dairy Systems (May), combining two legacies of novelty Sandwich Wafers with Cones and Packaging
2003
First use of 3D CAD drawing
2011
BIG DRUM Engineering GmbH was made an independent division through change of ownership (JPB Investment)
2013
Turkey´s Kalenobel acquires assets (cone sleeve production) of Big Drum Gudensberg
2014
Dupon Biscuits takes over the Big Drum Group
Today 2024
To strengthen its presence in the United States, D´Hoore Group has acquired assets of Hearthside Food Solutions (former Weston Foods, former Norse Dairy Systems).
Today, Dupon USA LLC, is a food production group with 3 production plants in the US (Columbus/OH, Green Bay/WI and Somerset/PA) offering food products, packaging and engineering solutions for the ice cream industry, operating under the umbrella of the D’Hoore Group. The headquarters are located at Ringaertstraat 3, 8820 Torhout, Belgium.