Our Story

Every smile and every ice cream has a story. We will take you back to the beginning of our existence.

1903

The beginning

Our story begins in Genk with Jacques, the milkman, who not only delivered milk but also made delicious ice cream. His artisanal creations made him extremely popular, so he and his family started their own business. The story could have ended there... but fortunately, the adventure continued!

employees

From milk to

ice cream parlour

1986

A new chapter

Then the driven businessman Mr. Mermans entered the picture. Inspired by Mr. Jacques' story, he took the step towards a larger ice cream factory. On a much larger scale, but still with the same passion for quality and family values. Jacques IJs grew into a successful and independent family business. Over the years, various expansions followed one another.

employees

2012

Innovation & renewal

Customers increasingly wanted innovative, new and trendy ice creams. To meet this demand, the innovation centre with a pilot plant was built in 2012. New products are developed there on a small scale and recipes and processes are refined. This allows us to create original and innovative samples, giving customers a clear idea of what their new product will look and taste like.

employees

100

Start Pilot Plant

2023

Growth & sustainability

After many years, the factory reached the limits of its site in Westerlo/Olen. Storage had to be divided between several cold stores, which meant that a dozen lorries were commuting every day. With a view to efficiency, ecology and sustainability, Jacques IJs decided to bring everything back under one roof. In 2021, the brand-new logistics centre was built: a significant step forward in the future of Jacques IJs.

employees

250

Construction

Logistics centre

OUR MISSION

Wij toveren, op authentieke wijze, passie en creativiteit om tot ijsjes die smaken naar meer.

Our core values are the secret ingredient in everything we do.

Teamwork

We believe in the power of committed employees who give their best every day. By supporting and appreciating them, we create products together that we are proud of.

Succes

Our employees listen to each other, share ideas and celebrate successes together. By combining everyone's talents, we create more than just ice cream: we build quality, efficiency and innovation.

Respect

We listen to each other, appreciate differences and treat each other with kindness. This warm atmosphere ensures that everyone feels good — and you will notice this in our collaboration and in our products.

OUR VISION

We want to put a smile on everyone's face!

A smile represents more than just satisfaction: it symbolises strong relationships, mutual trust and cooperation. We value every link in our network, from suppliers to end customers, but especially our employees.

That is why we organise an activity every quarter. These range from informative annual meetings where we share our results and plans, to more relaxed occasions such as a summer drinks party.