A Sweet Solution for GCB Cocoa Factory

GCB Cocoa UK Limited is part of Guan Chong Berhad, one of the world's leading cocoa manufacturers, established in Asia in the 1980s. In 2020, GCB made a significant move into the UK market, acquiring the former Philips Avent factory in Glemsford, Suffolk for £8.25 million and pledging a £62.2 million investment to transform it into a world-class cocoa and chocolate production facility. Sitting on 17 acres with 300,000 square feet of building space, the site manufactures cocoa butter, cocoa powder, liquor, and chocolate — supplying major confectionery manufacturers across the UK and beyond.

The Challenge

In a food manufacturing environment of this scale, mobile phones are simply not permitted on the warehouse and logistics floor. It's a common and sensible policy in food production — hygiene, contamination risk, and operational focus all demand it. But with a team spread across a vast site and no phones allowed, staff needed a reliable, professional alternative to stay connected and keep operations moving.

The Solution

In November 2025, GCB Cocoa UK ordered twelve Motorola XT420 walkie-talkies from Radio Solutions — two six-packs — with next-day despatch.

The XT420 is the ideal solution for exactly this kind of environment. As a licence-free PMR446 radio, there's no Ofcom licence required and no programming needed, making it straightforward to deploy across a large team quickly. With an IP55 weather resistance rating, Military Standard 810 certification, and a robust build designed for years of daily use in demanding industrial environments, it's a radio that can keep up with a busy production and logistics operation.

The Result

The radios have proven themselves across the site, delivering reliable coverage throughout the warehouse and logistics operation. A spokesperson at GCB Cocoa UK, rated the radios 5 out of 5 and had this to say:

"We do not normally give feedback, but on this occasion as we received such good service I have made an exception. Great reception across the site, easy to use, easy to charge. Great customer service from start to finish — very professional."

Ready to Keep Your Team Connected?

If your site has areas where mobile phones aren't permitted or practical, two-way radios are the most reliable solution. Not sure if they'll work across your site? We offer a free demo and site survey so you can test before you commit. Call us on 01745 335811 or get in touch via our contact page.