THE world’s largest private label ice cream maker is in talks to create a joint venture with Nestlé.

R&R Ice Cream, in Leeming Bar, near Bedale, North Yorkshire, says it is in advanced discussions over a European and African-based ice cream endeavour.

Bosses say the proposal, expected to be firmed up next year, will combine R&R’s manufacturing skills with Nestlé’s strong brands and distribution network.

The two companies have worked together the last 14 years, with an initial UK and Ireland partnership now extended to Australia and South Africa, where R&R licences Nestlé brands.

Ibrahim Najafi, R&R chief executive, said: “We are pleased to be in talks with Nestlé and the ambition is to sell more ice cream through meeting and exceeding customer and consumer needs.”

Mr Najafi added R&R will join the new proposed joint venture in its entirety, with Nestlé contributing its ice cream businesses in Europe, Egypt, the Philippines, Brazil and Argentina.

It will also transfer its European frozen food businesses, excluding pizza.

The venture will operate in more than 20 countries, employing more than 10,000 staff.

Mr Najafi will become chief executive, with Luis Cantarell, Nestlé’s executive vice president for Europe, the Middle East and North Africa leading the venture.

R&R holds licences with Nestlé to make ice treats across brands such as Smarties, Aero and Kitkat for the UK, has a similar deal with Cadbury for its Dairy Milk, Crunchie and Cadbury Caramel products, and works with Mondel?z on Toblerone, Daim and Oreo treats for wider European markets.

Its Leeming Bar factory, which is also its corporate headquarters, made 147 million litres of ice cream in 2014, the most of any of its production bases, which include sites in France, Germany, Poland and Italy.

It previously took on Nestlé South Africa to gain entry to the country’s £113m frozen treats market and bought Australia’s Peters Food Group in a £250m deal.