In the quiet lanes of Gudavalli near Vijayawada, a significant shift is taking place in the hum of an Ice Cream factory where women from nearby villages are running the show. Inside the Ice Cream manufacturing facility of Dumont Creamery, nearly 70% of the workforce comprises women, most of whom are recruited from surrounding villages. In an industry historically dominated by men, this marks a meaningful turn toward gender inclusion in South India’s food manufacturing sector.

Dumont, a homegrown brand, has become a case study in integrating social responsibility into factory operations. “We’re a local family, and it only made sense to support our own community,” says Vivek Inampudi, one of the founders. “Hiring locally, especially women was never a strategic HR move. It was part of our upbringing and our values.”

That philosophy has translated into real-world change for the community. Most of the women employed at the plant come from rural households in and around Gudavalli and Gunadala in Vijayawada. For many, this is their first formal job. With stable incomes, women have become primary earners in some households, enabling families to afford better education and healthcare. “Before this, I used to do agricultural labour. The income was seasonal. Now, I work on the packaging line and my children are in school full-time,” says Ramulamma, 34, who walks 15 minutes to the plant each morning.

National statistics underscore how rare such setups still are. According to the Ministry of Labour and Employment, women make up less than 20% of India’s overall manufacturing workforce. In food processing, that number is only slightly higher, but concentrated mostly in informal or seasonal work. Dumont’s model, offering full-time employment with training and safety measures, is being cited by some development economists as a potential model that others can learn from, for inclusive rural industrialisation.

Moreover, the benefits are not one-sided. Studies by McKinsey and NITI Aayog suggest that companies with gender-diverse workforces experience improved productivity, better team dynamics, and lower attrition rates. At Dumont, management attributes high output consistency in part to this gender mix and the sense of ownership among workers.

As market research by MarkNtel shows, India’s Ice Cream industry will continue to grow and is projected to reach ₹40,000 crore by 2028, workforce models like Dumont’s could redefine what sustainable, inclusive growth looks like in manufacturing. From providing steady employment to empowering rural families, the women in Gudavalli are not just shaping Ice Cream they’re reshaping the future of Indian industry.