Press Release:
CLIFFSTAR CORPORATION SIGNS DEFINITIVE AGREEMENT TO ACQUIRE NORTHLAND’S PRIVATE LABEL JUICE BUSINESS
Nation’s largest private label juice company signs agreement to acquire Northland Cranberries private label division
1/5/00 - DUNKIRK, NY — The Cliffstar Corporation today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the private label division of publicly traded Northland Cranberries, Inc.
"This acquisition will continue our growth as one of the nation’s leading private label juice manufacturers and offer us the opportunity for improved services, efficiencies and flexibility in our bottling operations," Sean McGirr, president, Cliffstar Corporation, said. "We are a leader in this industry because of the new opportunities we create for our private label customers, our associates, family of growers and our suppliers."
Cliffstar will acquire Northland’s private label product line that includes a wide array of cranberry, apple, grapefruit and grape juice products. According to IRI, dollar sales of juices are up 7.2% versus 1998, with private label having the largest category market share of 12.5% and sales up 12.2%.
"This acquisition, in combination with consumer trends and our recent acquisition of Carolina Products, provides expanded opportunities for growers and customers of Cliffstar," Robert Gioia, Cliffstar’s chairman, said.
Cliffstar manufactures more than 145 quality Corporate Brand Label fruit juices and drinks for the leading grocery customers throughout North America. The company operates manufacturing facilities in Dunkirk, NY, Joplin, MO, Fontana, CA and Greer, SC and processing plants in Warrens, WI, East Freetown, MA and Fredonia, NY. Corporate headquarters are based in Dunkirk, 45 miles southwest of Buffalo, New York.
Northland is a vertically integrated grower, processor and marketer of cranberries. The company processes and sells Northland brand 100% juice cranberry blends, Seneca brand juice products and other fruit juices, Northland brand fresh cranberries and other cranberry products.