Brouse McDowell Represents Summer Garden Food Manufacturing in Connection with Pending Sale Transaction with Lassonde Industries, Inc.

Brouse McDowell, LPA is pleased to announce that it has represented Summer Garden Foods in connection with a pending sale transaction with Canadian based Lassonde Industries.

Lassonde Industries Inc. (TSX: LAS.A) ("Lassonde") has entered into a definitive agreement, through one of its U.S. subsidiaries, with Mr. Thomas Zidian and members of his family to acquire The Zidian Group, which operates Summer Garden Food Manufacturing ("Summer Garden"), a U.S.-based manufacturer and distributor of specialty food, for a consideration of US $235.0 million, payable at closing. By way of additional consideration, a further amount of up to US $45.0 million may be payable over the next three years, should certain financial targets be achieved and other conditions met. The closing of the pending transaction will take place at a later date and is subject to certain regulatory approvals.

Located in Boardman, Ohio, and employing approximately 200 people, Summer Garden develops, manufactures, and markets a wide range of premium sauces and condiments, including tomato and cream-based pasta sauces, BBQ sauces, dipping sauces and dressings. Its portfolio consists of approximately 250 products sold through more than 20,000 locations under the Gia Russa and Little Italy in the Bronx brands and under the G Hughes brand, a leader in the U.S. sugar-free BBQ sauce segment. Summer Garden also acts as a co-packer for well-known brands.

Timothy Reardon of Brouse’s Youngstown office has served as lead on the seller side transaction team, and other firm specialists and offices working on the pending transaction include:

Corporate/Mergers and Acquisitions - Patricia Gajda (Cleveland); Ronald McCall (Sharon); Timothy Reardon (Youngstown); Edward Smith (Youngstown); Marissa Atterholt (Sharon); Joan Reardon-Stebelton (Youngstown)

Real Estate - Thomas Gattozzi (Cleveland); Brendan Carney (Cleveland)

Labor and Employment - Stephen Bond (Cleveland); Thomas Wiencek (Akron)

Insurance Coverage - Brian Coulter (Youngstown); Matthew Vansuch (Youngstown)

Employee Benefits/ERISA Matters - Patrick Egan (Cleveland)

Intellectual Property - Suzanne Bretz Blum (Cleveland)