Dean Foods Co. plans to sell its Marie's dressings and Dean's dips businesses to Ventura Foods L.L.C., Ventura said last week the transaction includes a long-term license agreement under which Ventura Foods will have the right to use the Dean's trademark on dips

Food & Drink Weekly, August 1, 2005

Dean Foods Co. plans to sell its Marie's dressings and Dean's dips businesses to Ventura Foods L.L.C., Ventura said last week the transaction includes a long-term license agreement under which Ventura Foods will have the right to use the Dean's trademark on dips. Ventura said that the company will pay just under $200 million for the venture.

The deal is expected to close in early September, he said. Deans Foods' Dairy Group division is the largest processor and distributor of milk and other dairy products in the country, with products sold under more than 50 brands. The company recently spun off its TreeHouse Foods Inc., its specialty foods business, whose products include the Mocha Mix nondairy creamer line, Second Nature egg substitutes and the food service salad dressing business. Ventura Foods is a privately held manufacturer and marketer of edible oil products, including shortenings and cooking oils, mayonnaise and dressings to the food service, retail and industrial sectors.