CHAPTER XVII

THE ICE CREAM FACTORY; ITS LOCATION AND EQUIPMENT

A good location for the factory is one of the first problems that confronts the person who contemplates entering the ice cream business in any locality. It is a problem which must be solved for each case separately, because no general rules will apply in all cases. The location of the factory will depend upon various local conditions such as the size of the town, class of trade to be served, location of the customers, prospects of future growth, transportation facilities, and the cost of property. A careful consideration of these and various other local problems will aid greatly in selecting an advantageous location. The next problem is the erection of a suitable building, or what is more difficult and perplexing, the remodeling of an old one to meet the needs of the proposed business.

The interior arrangement of the factory should be carefully planned. In a building which is specially constructed for factory purposes, the matter of interior arrangement is much simpler. It is often necessary, however, for those who are just starting in the ice cream business to make use of a building which was not constructed for factory purposes. Under such circumstances the adaptability of the building to ice cream factory purposes as well as its advantageous location must be taken into consideration.

One can find buildings of every sort and description used

Fig. 61. First-floor Plan of a well-arranged factory.

for ice cream factories, some of which are well adapted to the purpose for which they are used, while others are decidedly inconvenient and must result in a lowering of factory efficiency. To avoid such inefficiency wherever possible, the general dimensions of the building, amount of light, facilities for ventilation, and the character of the walls, floors, and the ceilings should be taken into consideration. The dimensions of the building should be sufficiently

out.

large to accommodate all the necessary machinery with some allowance for the future growth and development of the business. As a rule it seems that a more economical use of floor space is obtained where there is not too great difference between the length and breadth of the building.

Sanitation, however, is one of the primary considerations in the arrangement of the factory. This necessary sanitation may be secured without making the factory a "show

plant." The sanitary measures to be observed are such as are required anywhere to facilitate the task of keeping the factory in a cleanly condition, to prevent contamination of the ice cream, and to protect the health of the employees. Light and ventilation are of greater importance than some factorymen suppose. Light, and particularly sunlight, is detrimental to germ life, while darkness and dampness are favorable to the growth of bacteria and molds. A proper system of ventilation and plenty of light will do much towards keeping the factory dry and free from musty odors. Aside from the greater danger of contaminating the ice cream in a dark, damp factory, these conditions are detrimental to the health of the employees. A dry factory is a more healthful and agreeable place in which to work. In addition to light and ventilation, the construction of the floor is quite important.

Floors of cement are the easiest to keep clean and will not absorb odors. The floor should have a uniform slope toward a gutter or sewer trap so that water will drain off readily. Some prefer having the floors slope uniformly towards a sewer trap in the center of the room, others prefer to have the floors slope towards a gutter running lengthwise of the room. Another plan which is sometimes followed is to have the floor highest in the center with a uniform slope to all sides. The advantage claimed for such a plan is that the center of the floor where much of the work is done is kept dry. Other material than concrete may be used for floors, but the aim should be to have the floors smoothly finished and as free from cracks as possible.

The walls and ceilings should also be smooth and of some water-proof material so that they may be washed down