Carolina Ice Company, Inc. evolved from a service of Neuse Sport Shop, Inc. located on Highway 70 east of Kinston, N.C. Block ice was purchased and ground for customers frequenting their business. As demand grew, a decision was reached to purchase icemakers. Since the equipment purchased generated far more product than the sport shop could use, there was a further decision to package ice supplying it to retail accounts. A new division was formed - Kinston Ice Company.

Through the years, the business continued to grow demanding greater attention from the owners. Additionally, the sport shop continued to grow and the owners became involved with other businesses.

Kinston Ice Company was sold on January 7, 1983. The name was changed to Carolina Ice Company, Inc. in order to expand from a local distribution
system to a regional system. Carolina Ice Company, Inc. purchased Tar River
Ice Company in Rocky Mount on July 7, 1986, Wilson Ice Company was purchased during March of 1989, Gurley Ice Company in Goldsboro on January 12, 1993, Eastern Packaged Ice Corporation of Clinton was purchased in October 1999, Whitley Ice Company of Smithfield was purchased February 28, 2002, Atlantic Ice & Coal, Inc. of New Bern was purchased April 5, 2005, and Smith Ice, Inc. of Salemburg was purchased May 2, 2006.

The original ice production plant was located adjacent to Neuse Sport Shop. On February 4, 1987, property was purchased and a new ice plant was built at the present site located on Highway 258 north of Kinston, NC. The new plant now has a capacity of 220 tons of ice per day. During 1998 it undertook an expansion project increasing facilities to accommodate back up inventory during peak demand periods of the year and palletized delivery.

Through the years, our personnel have established a great reputation for service. To further enhance our service level we have installed a 400 KW generator to continue operation should electrical service be interrupted for any reason. A supply network with ice manufacturers out of our region has been established if a direct natural disaster impacted our plant. Carolina Ice Company, Inc. is positioned to provide ice requirements in the event of disaster when you may need it most.