Lakeside Foods has signed an agreement with OnTech, LLC, to process its revolutionary
self-heating containers for use with coffee, tea, cocoa, soup, baby formula, and other
foods and beverages for anytime, anywhere consumption. Self-heating containers allow their
contents to be heated to 145 degrees Fahrenheit within minutes at the press of a button.
OnTech Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Weisz commented on the agreement,
saying, "We are extremely pleased to have such a strong partner as Lakeside on board
as we commercialize this exciting new technology. Interest has been extremely high among
companies that want to capitalize on the "on-the-go" eating habits of today's
consumers. It was critical that we have a partner that complemented us from both a
manufacturing and quality perspective.
"Not only does Lakeside provide the expertise in producing a diverse
line of quality food products, it has an industry-wide reputation for successful,
long-term business partnerships with a variety of food marketers."
Under the terms of the agreement, OnTech, developer of the self-heating
containers, will be responsible for sales and marketing. OnTech currently has three
contracts with national consumer products companies for more than 20 million units during
2004 and 2005. The first product is expected to launch in the fourth quarter of 2004, with
the second product following soon thereafter.
Lakeside will process all products at its Belgium, Wisconsin facility.
Current projections indicate approximately 25 new jobs will be created to process this
product initially. Further jobs may be added in the future to meet OnTech's capacity
requirements. In addition to "on-the-go" products, the Belgium Plant also
produces canned vegetables, jellies, and preserves.
"Our partnership with OnTech is a natural fit for both
companies," said Douglas Quick, Lakeside Foods' President and CEO. "We believe
our expertise in food manufacturing and thermal processing will enable us to process the
wide variety of food products envisioned by OnTech. We look forward to working with OnTech
to satisfy the growing demand for convenient, ready to eat foods and beverages."
OnTech's self-heating container delivers the ultimate in convenience to
consumers wanting a hot meal or beverage, but who have little or no time for preparation.
The disposable container is shelf stable and does not require refrigeration prior to
opening. The product is portable, fits into a cup holder, and is specially designed to
keep beverages hot for up to 30 minutes. There is no preparation, mixing, or clean up.
Consumers merely press a button, wait a few minutes for the product to heat, open the
container, and enjoy.
"This technology will satisfy so many consumer needs -- the parents
who want their children to have a hot meal at school, the commuters who don't have time to
make coffee or visit a drive-through window, the truckers who don't have time to stop. We
can't wait to satisfy those needs," added Weisz.
About OnTech, LLC
Headquartered in San Diego, OnTech is a California Limited
Liability Company, which has 102 approved utility patent claims on its disposable,
self-heating beverage container in the United States, covering all aspects of the
technology. OnTech also owns patents in 37 countries, including the United Kingdom, China,
and Japan. To learn more about the company, visit www.ontech.com
About Lakeside Foods, Inc.
Lakeside Foods is a privately held, leading international
food processor. It has headquarters in Manitowoc, WI, fifteen plants and eight
distribution centers in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Ohio, and employs an average of 1700
people. Lakeside produces a diverse line of nutritional food products including canned and
frozen vegetables, canned dry beans (kidney, black, pork & beans, etc.), jellies and
preserves, frozen and shelf stable meals, canned meats and stew, organic products, health
beverage supplements, non-dairy frozen dessert toppings, salsa, and other sauces. More
information about Lakeside is available on its web site at www.lakesidefoods.com
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For additional information, contact:
Tom Reilly
Vice President-Human Resources
Lakeside Foods, Inc.
P.O. Box 1327
Manitowoc, WI 54221-1327
(920) 684-3356 |
