Lakeside Foods purchasing Oregon company, closing Wisconsin facility
Wisconsin-headquartered Lakeside Foods is purchasing Oregon-based Smith Frozen Foods. The deal includes production facilities in Oregon, while a Wisconsin plant will close.
Lakeside Foods will continue to produce frozen vegetables at Smith Frozen Foods’ production facility in Weston, Oregon as well as its Garrett Packing/Brittany Farms operations in Milton-Freewater, Oregon.
“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,” Joe Yanda, Lakeside Foods president and CEO, said in a news release. “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.”
Smith’s operations include frozen storage and production capabilities new to Lakeside Foods, according to the release.
“We’re pleased to have found a great buyer,” Gordon Smith, Smith Frozen Foods owner and board chair, said. “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.”
Lakeside Foods will end operations at its production facility in Manitowoc, Wisconsin.
“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.”
Gary Crowder, Smith Frozen Foods president and chief financial officer, will stay with Lakeside Foods through the transition, according to the release. Lakeside plans to retain a substantial number of Smith employees.
