ROUGEMONT, QC, Nov. 2 /CNW Telbec/ - Lassonde Industries Inc. (LAS.A-TSX)
today announced that its subsidiary A. Lassonde Inc. has completed its
purchase of the business of manufacture and distribution of ready-to-drink
fruit juices and fruit drinks of McCain Foods (Canada), a division of McCain
Foods Limited. The purchased assets include McCain's juice plant in Calgary,
Alberta; production equipment currently located in Toronto, Ontario and in
Grand Falls, New Brunswick; and certain trademarks as well as a three-year
license to use the McCain and other trademarks on specified products.
On October 18, 2007, A. Lassonde announced it was entering into an asset
purchase agreement with McCain Foods (Canada) to buy its business of
manufacture and distribution of ready-to-drink fruit juices and fruit drinks.
The value of inventories and certain other adjustments excluded, the purchase
price of the business is $13.5 million.
"This purchase brings us to an important milestone in our business
development in western Canada, enabling us to strengthen Lassonde's national
positioning," stated Jean Gattuso, President and Chief Executive Officer of
A. Lassonde Inc.
McCain Foods (Canada), a division of McCain Foods Limited, is a privately
owned company with more than 25 years of experience in manufacturing and
marketing ready-to-drink fruit juices and drinks under trademarks that include
their best-known Junior Juice, Old South, and Zwak. McCain Foods (Canada) has
net sales related to ready-to-drink fruit juices and fruit drinks in the
vicinity of $33 million.
A. Lassonde Inc. is a Canadian leader in the development, manufacture,
and marketing of an innovative and distinctive range of fruit and vegetable
juices and drinks. The Company has numerous trademarks that have acquired an
enviable reputation, including Rougemont, Oasis, Fruité, Allen's, Everfresh,
and Fairlee.
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