History

AS Balbiino was founded by OÜ NG Investeeringud.

Dec 1995

Balbiino is a 100% Estonian-owned company.

Construction of the factory began in early 1996

Mar 1996

Production lines were ready for ice cream production

Jun 1996

Started production, and the first batch of ice cream was sold on July 9, 1996.

Jul 1996

Year 1996

Dec 1996

	Ice cream sales totaled 2.5 million kroons.
	Began production of 0.5 L and 1 L family ice creams in cardboard packaging.
	The company had 52 employees.

Year 1997

May 1997

	Approximately 814 tons of ice cream were produced.
	In the wholesale frozen foods market, Balbiino achieved about 30% market share.

New ice cream products

Jul 1997

Began production of stick ice creams and ice pops, with sales significantly increasing during summer months.
Launched cone-shaped waffle ice creams Vurr, which became immediately popular among consumers.

Sales Development

Sep 1998

Major progress was achieved in Tallinn, where Balbiino’s turnover doubled (100% increase).
In addition to two salesmen, three driver-agents started working in Tallinn, directly serving smaller clients from their vehicles.
Three regional sales managers (East, South, West) began working with larger clients in their respective areas.
Balbiino was well-represented at summer events and outdoor sales through OÜ Illimari, which participated in 80 events and operated 10 outdoor sales points in Tallinn.

In total, 15 new ice cream varieties were launched in 1998

Dec 1998

Grosso stick ice cream was recognized in the Best Estonian Food Product 1998 competition.

Nipi-Tiri stick ice cream series — new child-friendly design and new glaze.

Duett — the first family ice cream in Estonia, with two different ice cream flavors packed into one container.

0.5 L Toffee ice cream quickly rose to the top of sales rankings.

Year 1998

Dec 1998

	Turnover was 84.8 million kroons.
	Ice cream production reached 1,365 tons.
	Sales of other frozen foods totaled 19.7 million kroons.
	There were 1,327 Balbiino freezers in stores, and the average annual turnover per freezer was 63,900 kroons.
	The company had 90 employees.

Year 1999

Dec 1999

	Turnover was 106.2 million kroons.
	Ice cream production reached 2,410 tons.
	Sales of other frozen food products grew by 55%, totaling 30.7 million kroons.
	Ice cream exports to Latvia amounted to 5 million kroons.
	The company had 113 employees.
	Balbiino’s market share of ice cream sales in Estonia was 35–40%.

Sales of Härmavili products were on a growth trajectory.

Jun 2000

Growth in frozen food sales was supported by an expanding assortment of vegetables, fish products, and the introduction of meat products to the market.

Year 2000

Dec 2000

	Turnover was 137.4 million kroons.
	Ice cream production reached 3,101 tons.
	Sales of other frozen foods grew 60% to 49.3 million kroons.
	Export grew to 17.8 million kroons — a 3.5-fold increase.
	Main export partner was Latvia.
	The company had 154 employees.
	Balbiino’s market share of ice cream sales in Estonia was 35–40%.

More than 20 new ice creams launched.

Dec 2000

New brands Love, Jess, Kolm Sõpra, Dream, Silver, Gold, Bronze, Exotic, and waffle cups Krossu were well received on the Estonian market.

New products Raks, Lumemarja ja Dixi

Dec 2001

Year 2001

Dec 2001

	Turnover was 177 million kroons.
	Ice cream production reached 3,216 tons.
	Sales of other frozen foods grew 61% to 79.4 million kroons.
	Export grew to 21.8 million kroons.
	The main export country in 2001 was Latvia.
	The company had 170 employees.
	Balbiino’s market share of ice cream sales in Estonia was 35–40%.

Adopted the slogan „Ice cream that warms the heart.”

Apr 2002

New delicious ice creams

Sep 2002

Introduced new delicious ice creams: chocolate ice cream cream Mousse (125 ml), family ice creams in transparent plastic buckets, redesigned ice cream cake, and Vurr ice cream.

Year 2002

Dec 2002

	Turnover was 200 million kroons, including 106 million from ice cream sales.
	Ice cream production reached 3,802 tons.
	Sales of other frozen foods totaled 93 million kroons.
	Exported to Latvia.
	The company had 190 employees.

New products

Jul 2003

Launched new products in development: Vanilla Ninja, Grand Prix Vurri, Maxi cups, and several classic products in new packaging.

Completed expansion of the ice cream factory and a new cold storage facility.

Sep 2003

Recognized by the Veterinary and Food Board as compliant with the Food Act.

Year 2003

Dec 2003

	Turnover was 240 million kroons, of which ice cream sales were 117 million kroons.
	Ice cream production reached 3,773 tons
	Sales of other frozen foods totaled 122 million kroons.
	The company had 200 employees.
		Exports were made to Latvia and Lithuania. Exports grew by 20%.

Jeti and Limbo brand launches

Jun 2004

Launched the Jeti brand with new products, including three types of stick ice creams, a one-liter family pack ice cream, and six different curd snack varieties. Also introduced the Limbo sorbet ice cream and expanded the assortment of Tops and family ice creams.
Started production and marketing of chilled and deep-frozen curd snacks, with 80 tons produced.

Year 2004

Dec 2004

	Turnover was 274 million kroons, of which ice cream sales were 127 million kroons.
	Ice cream production reached 3,715 tons.
	Sales of other frozen foods totaled 142 million kroons.
	The company had 213 employees.
			Export countries were Latvia, Lithuania, and Germany.

Ice cream delivery service Jätsiabi cars started operating in Tallinn

Jun 2005

Vanilla Ninja became the most popular ice cream in Estonia.

Aug 2005

In August 2005, Balbiino became the market leader in Estonia’s single ice cream segment, according to research company AC Nielsen.

Year 2005

Dec 2005

	Turnover was 301 million kroons, including 127 million from ice cream and 23.8 million from curd snacks.
	Ice cream production reached 3,950 tons.
	Sales of other frozen foods totaled 149 million kroons.
	The company had 225 employees.
				Export countries included Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, and Germany.

Härmavili product selection was constantly expanded with new products.

Aug 2006

Balbiino received the BRC (Global Standard Food) quality and food safety management system certificate.

Oct 2006

Year 2006

Dec 2006

	Turnover was 310 million kroons, of which ice cream and curd snack sales were 164 million kroons.
	Ice cream production reached 3,517 tons.
	Sales of other frozen foods totaled 149 million kroons.
	The company had 230 employees.

	Export countries included Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Germany, and Sweden.

Adopted the slogan „Balbiino – Good Estonian ice cream. Let’s make life sweeter!”

Apr 2007

Launched waffle cone ice creams Trull and cream stick ice creams.

Jun 2007

Ice cream Mr. Big was extremely popular.

Jul 2007

Year 2007

Dec 2007

	Turnover was 316 million kroons, of which ice cream sales accounted for 151 million kroons.
	Ice cream production reached 4,232 tons.
	Sales of other frozen food products totaled 146 million kroons.
	The company had 230 employees.

	Export countries included Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Germany, and Sweden. Sales within the EU increased by 32% compared to the previous year, mainly due to growth in Latvia and Sweden.

New brand Musi

Jul 2008

Launched a new brand Musi ice creams, featuring redesigned plastic cups and a 900 ml family pack.

A new production line was introduced.

Nov 2008

New Polish cup line (2008-11-26).

Year 2008

Dec 2008

	Revenue totaled 328 million EEK, with ice cream sales of 161 million EEK.
	A total of 4,079 tons of ice cream were produced.
	Sales of other frozen foods amounted to 155 million EEK.
	The company had 215 employees.

	Export markets included Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, and Sweden. EU internal trade grew by 30% compared to the previous year, mainly due to increased sales to Latvia.

Mr. Big waffle ice cream with a new flavor was launched.

Jun 2009

The slogan „The right to the best ice cream – Balbiino!” was introduced.

Apr 2010

Jun 2010

The season’s most popular ice creams were Yeti and Classic cream ice creams in waffle cups, as well as Raks and Vanilla Ninja ice creams. Jätsiabi ice cream trucks operated in Tallinn, Tartu, and Pärnu, offering 54 different types of ice cream.

Year 2010

Dec 2010

	Revenue totaled 247 million EEK, with ice cream sales of 124 million EEK.
	Sales of other frozen foods amounted to 88 million EEK.
	The company had 215 employees.

	Export countries included Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, and Ireland.

Launch of Lumemarja and Fitness ice creams.

Jun 2011

Introduction of cream cone ice creams, one-liter family pack cream ice cream, and Lumemarja ice cream. In the health product line, two new Fitness yogurt ice creams were introduced.

Further development of the frozen food brands Härmavili and Marine.

Jul 2011

A new ice cream production line was introduced, improving product quality and production capacity.

Oct 2011

Year 2011

Dec 2011

	Revenue amounted to €19.3 million, with ice cream sales totaling €8.5 million.
	Sales of other frozen foods reached €6.3 million.

	Export markets in the EU included Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Ireland, and Germany.

Altogether, 34 products were launched for different markets.

Jun 2012

Based on a cooperation agreement with Warner Brothers, Batman-branded products were launched in four different packages and two flavors. Separate brands Krejuma and Sniega Oga were developed for the Latvian market.

Success of cream ice creams.

Jul 2012

Among the top 20 most profitable products, 9 were new products, including cream ice cream in waffle cones, new semi-biscuit Raks, Lumemarja waffle cones, and others.

Four new Onu Eskimo ice creams and the opening of the Onu Eskimo ice cream café in Tartu Kaubamaja.

Aug 2012