Central Smith
Central Smith is a family-owned Canadian ice cream manufacturer, founded 1896 and operated by the Scates family since 1978, producing 61+ flavours of premium ice cream, bars, sundae cups, and frozen desserts from Selwyn, Ontario, distributed coast-to-coast across Canada via national wholesalers, direct truck delivery, an on-site parlour, and Shopify e-commerce, with additional co-packing and commercial freezer services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1896
- HeadquartersPeterborough, Canada
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Central Smith does
Central Smith is a family-owned Canadian ice cream manufacturer founded in 1896 in Selwyn, Ontario, originally established as a dairy farmers' co-op producing cheese and butter. The company shifted exclusively to ice cream production in 1952 and has been owned and operated by the Scates family since 1978, with Ian Scates serving as President. Operating from a single facility at 739 Lindsay Road, the company manufactures premium ice cream, bars, sundae cups, sherbets, sorbets, frozen yogurts, and coconut-oil-based frozen desserts marketed at 40% less fat than regular ice cream, plus no-sugar-added and oat-based non-dairy alternatives. All products are Kosher and Halal certified.
The company's revenue model spans four streams: wholesale B2B distribution through a national Canadian distributor network and direct truck delivery to businesses (sizes 11.4L, 4L, 1.89L, and 500ml); direct-to-consumer sales through an on-site dairy bar open daily and a Shopify-based Parlour Pickup online store; co-packing services ("Custom Dreams") for ice cream brands from artisanal producers to large-scale enterprises, with daily minimums of 25,000-60,000 units per production line; and a commercial freezer equipment program bundling freezers (4-12 tub sizes) with product supply economics at $3.50 per 4oz scoop. The company also serves healthcare facilities with dietary-specific products and offers DIY event packages with freezer rentals.
Central Smith markets 61+ ice cream flavours coast-to-coast across Canada, supported by social media marketing (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn, X), an email newsletter, a Shopify-hosted blog, and recurring community events such as Meet the Makers. Recent product launches in 2026 include Strawberry Matcha and Milk Chocolate Caramel Rollover. Customer segments are diversified horizontally across restaurants and foodservice (primary), healthcare, co-packing clients, event planners, and retail consumers, with no disclosed individual customer concentration.
Central Smith firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Central Smith
- Legal name
- Central Smith
- Website
- https://centralsmith.ca
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1896
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Central Smith is a family-owned Canadian ice cream manufacturer, founded 1896 and operated by the Scates family since 1978, producing 61+ flavours of premium ice cream, bars, sundae cups, and frozen desserts from Selwyn, Ontario, distributed coast-to-coast across Canada via national wholesalers, direct truck delivery, an on-site parlour, and Shopify e-commerce, with additional co-packing and commercial freezer services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Central Smith industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Ice Cream and Frozen Dessert Manufacturing
- NAICS
- Ice Cream and Frozen Dessert Manufacturing (31152), Ice Cream and Frozen Dessert Manufacturing (311520), Dairy Product (except Frozen) Manufacturing (31151)
- SIC
- Ice Cream & Frozen Desserts (2024), Dairy Products (2020)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Ice Cream, Frozen Desserts & Novelties Manufacturing (AFAKAKAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Ice Cream & Gelato Shops (THAFAGAA), Ice Cream & Frozen Dairy Wholesale (AFAIAEAF), Dairy-Based Frozen Dessert Mixes & Bases Manufacturing (Industrial/Private Label) (AFAHAEAI), Frozen Yogurt Manufacturing (AFAHAEAC)
Keywords
Where Central Smith is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Peterborough
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Central Smith business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Wholesale Ice Cream Distribution: B2B sales of ice cream, frozen desserts, bars, and sundae cups through a national network of distributors and direct delivery to businesses via specialized trucks. Products sold in bulk sizes: 11.4L, 4L, 1.89L, and 500ml containers.
- Direct Parlour Sales: Consumer sales through company-owned ice cream parlour and online Parlour Pickup system. Parlour open daily 11am-8:30pm serving cones, sundaes, milkshakes, frozen yogurt and take-home containers.
- Co-Packing Services: Custom manufacturing services for ice cream companies of all sizes including product development, formulation, sampling, trial production, and packaging. Minimums range from 25,000 to 60,000 units per day per production line.
- Freezer Equipment Program: Commercial freezer sales or leasing to businesses with included product to stock freezers. Free product provided at $3.50 per 4oz scoop with 55 scoops per tub to pay for the freezer package.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Commercial Freezer Program with bundled product |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels8 records
Central Smith product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Central Smith manufactures and distributes premium ice cream (61+ flavours in 11.4L, 4L, 1.89L, and 500ml containers), ice cream and yogurt bars, sundae cups, and reduced-fat coconut-oil frozen desserts across Canada through a national distributor network, direct business delivery, and a factory parlour. The company also provides custom co-packing services for other ice cream brands, a commercial freezer program bundled with product supply, restaurant wholesale supply, healthcare-specific dietary lines, and DIY ice cream event packages with freezer rentals.
Product overview
Central Smith is a family-owned Canadian ice cream manufacturer offering a diverse portfolio of frozen dessert products. The core product line includes ice cream (61 flavours in 11.4L, 4L, and 1.89L sizes), ice cream and yogurt bars (including French Vanilla Bar Case, Monster Cookie Bar, and CS Vanilla Yogurt Bar), sundae cups (Chocolate, Vanilla, Peach Yogurt), and frozen desserts made with coconut oil (40% less fat, available in 5 flavours). Supporting services include co-packing for businesses seeking custom ice cream products (Custom Dreams), a commercial freezer equipment program (5 sizes from 4 to 12 tub capacity), restaurant wholesale supply, healthcare dietary options, and DIY event packages with freezer rentals. Products are sold through a distribution network, direct factory pickup (Parlour Pickup), and business accounts.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Premium Ice Cream Premium ice cream available in 61 flavours with sizes including 11.4L, 4L, and 1.89L containers, including classic, seasonal, and specialty flavours such as Grand Slam, Captain Cyclone, Mint Chocolate Chip, and Algonquin Canoe. Made with 100% Canadian dairy for wholesale and retail customers.
- Ice Cream and Yogurt Bars
Quantifiable outcome
- Frozen desserts contain 40% less fat than regular ice cream
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Central Smith
Customer profileSegments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Central Smith technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Central Smith partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Central Smith competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Chapman's Ice Cream: Canada's largest Canadian-owned ice cream manufacturer, producing premium and reduced-fat ice cream, bars, and novelties for grocery and foodservice nationwide. Directly comparable on product portfolio, Canadian distribution model, and family/heritage ownership structure.
- Marble Slab Creamery: Premium ice cream franchise concept offering made-to-order ice cream with mix-ins across Canada and North America. Comparable on premium positioning, parlour-style retail experience, and broad flavor selection.
- Baskin-Robbins Canada: Canadian franchise network of ice cream parlours serving premium scooped ice cream, sundaes, and take-home tubs. Comparable on the parlour/dairy-bar retail channel and on flavor breadth versus Central Smith's 61-flavor portfolio.
- Kawartha Dairy Group: Ontario-based dairy processor with a comparable ice cream portfolio, retail parlour presence in Ontario, and co-packing/oem services. Closely matches Central Smith's regional heritage, dairy-bar storefront channel, and foodservice distribution strategy.
Broad incumbents
- Unilever Canada (Ice Cream): Markets Breyers, Ben & Jerry's, and Magnum in Canada with national distribution and dominant retail share. Comparable premium-and-mainstream ice cream product set but as part of a much larger multinational CPG portfolio.
- Dairy Queen Canada: Canadian franchise system producing and selling soft-serve and scooped ice cream through a national retail storefront network. Comparable on the parlour retail channel and on ice cream product portfolio, though franchise-owned retail differs from Central Smith's central-plant model.
- Lactalis Canada: Produces ice cream and dairy desserts under brands such as Mozzarella Fresca and various private-label partnerships in Canada, with national grocery and foodservice distribution. Comparable on co-packing and dairy-dessert manufacturing but with significantly broader dairy scale.
- Häagen-Dazs Shoppe: Premium ice cream brand operating both retail tubs in grocery and dedicated shoppes in Canada. Comparable on ultra-premium positioning and parlour distribution, though brand operates within Nestlé's broader global portfolio rather than as a standalone manufacturer.
- Danone Canada (YoPRO, Activia): Major dairy and dairy-dessert producer in Canada with a yogurt and probiotic-focused portfolio that intersects Central Smith's frozen yogurt and dietary-specific product lines. Comparable on dairy-dessert manufacturing and dietary positioning rather than direct ice cream competition.
- Nestlé Canada (Ice Cream): Operates major ice cream brands including Häagen-Dazs and Drumstick in the Canadian market with national grocery and foodservice distribution. Comparable on product format and Canadian reach but with materially broader portfolio and global scale advantages.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Central Smith social profiles
Digital presenceCentral Smith compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Central Smith financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Central Smith leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Central Smith funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Central Smith M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Central Smith
What does Central Smith do?
Central Smith manufactures and distributes premium ice cream (61+ flavours in 11.4L, 4L, 1.89L, and 500ml containers), ice cream and yogurt bars, sundae cups, and reduced-fat coconut-oil frozen desserts across Canada through a national distributor network, direct business delivery, and a factory parlour. The company also provides custom co-packing services for other ice cream brands, a commercial freezer program bundled with product supply, restaurant wholesale supply, healthcare-specific dietary lines, and DIY ice cream event packages with freezer rentals.
Is Central Smith a public or private company?
Central Smith is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Central Smith founded?
Central Smith was founded in 1896. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Central Smith based?
Central Smith is headquartered in Peterborough, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Central Smith make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Wholesale Ice Cream Distribution is the primary driver. The others are direct Parlour Sales, co-Packing Services and freezer Equipment Program.
Who are Central Smith's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Chapman's Ice Cream, Marble Slab Creamery, Baskin-Robbins Canada and Kawartha Dairy Group. Broad incumbents are Unilever Canada (Ice Cream), Dairy Queen Canada, Lactalis Canada, Häagen-Dazs Shoppe, Danone Canada (YoPRO, Activia) and Nestlé Canada (Ice Cream).
Does Central Smith have an API?
No public API is recorded for Central Smith.
What industry is Central Smith in?
Central Smith's product category is Ice Cream and Frozen Dessert Manufacturing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAKAKAE, Ice Cream, Frozen Desserts & Novelties Manufacturing, with a secondary code of THAFAGAA, Ice Cream & Gelato Shops. Its NAICS code is 31152 and its SIC code is 2024.