Lakeside Foods has announced its intent to purchase the business assets of Oregon-based Smith Frozen Foods. The deal is expected to be finalized by early next week.
Lakeside Foods will purchase the Smith Frozen Foods assets including its Weston, Oregon, production facility and Garrett Packing/Brittany Farms operations in Milton-Freewater, Oregon. Lakeside Foods will continue to produce frozen vegetables at these former Smith facilities.
“Smith Frozen Foods is well-regarded in the industry for its strong legacy of growing and processing vegetables and its unwavering commitment to product quality and customer service,” said Joe Yanda, president and CEO. “We’re excited to further grow our frozen vegetable business and strengthen service to our nationwide base of retail, foodservice and industrial customers, especially those with a large footprint on the West Coast.”
The acquisition grows Lakeside Foods’ frozen vegetable market share and positions the company to expand its product base. Smith’s operations include significant frozen storage capacity and some production capabilities new to Lakeside Foods.
“We’re pleased to have found a great buyer,” said Gordon Smith, owner and chairman of the board. “Lakeside Foods is a family-owned company like ours, with a rich heritage and stable history as a vegetable producer. I look forward to watching them further grow and invest in the business my grandfather founded 105 years ago.”
Smith Frozen Foods president and CFO, Gary Crowder, will stay on with Lakeside Foods through the transition. The company has already begun preparing for business integration. Customers are being notified of the transition and benefits for their business. The company is working on employee and benefits changeover, with plans to retain a substantial number of Smith employees.
Lakeside Foods has also made the difficult decision to end operations at its Manitowoc, Wisconsin, production facility on Jay Street.
“This decision, which we did not make lightly, best supports our long-term strategic growth plan,” Yanda said. “Our managers have worked to support affected employees by finding them opportunities at other Lakeside Foods locations. We remain committed to Manitowoc as our home and corporate headquarters, with four remaining production, warehouse and office locations.”
About Lakeside Foods, Inc.
Lakeside Foods is a premier supplier of high-quality frozen and canned foods to the retail, food service and industrial sectors. Since its beginning in 1887 as a small pea-canning plant, Lakeside Foods has expanded to 14 production facilities, producing canned and frozen vegetables, canned meat, smoked sausage and hot dogs, canned dry beans, frozen desserts, appetizers and canned pet food that are distributed in 14 countries. Lakeside Foods manages its vegetable growing and harvesting operations through a network of regional farmers, ensuring food quality and freshness from farm to table. The company is family owned and based in Manitowoc, Wisconsin.
