001121 ConAgra Foods Acquires Marburger Foods

Omaha, NE - ConAgra Foods, Inc. has acquired Marburger Foods, a producer of pre-cooked bacon products. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Marburger Foods supplies foodservice operators and distributors with bacon products such as slices, bits and chips from its facility in Peru, Ind. The business will be part of ConAgra Foods' ASE Foodservice Company, headquartered in Downers Grove, Ill.

“This acquisition strengthens our position as a leading producer of quality pre-cooked bacon products,” said John Stephens, president, ASE Foodservice Company. “Marburger Foods brings a customer portfolio that complements our existing customer base and adds production capacity so we can continue to serve our customers' growing demand.”

ASE Foodservice Co. serves a significant number of the top 100 foodservice chains as well as leading national, regional and independent foodservice distributors. In addition to a national salesforce serving foodservice customers, full-time product development specialists bring innovative processes to developing custom pre-cooked bacon products for specific customer applications.

John Marburger, president and chief executive officer of Marburger, noted, “We view this transaction as a great opportunity to allow Marburger and ConAgra Foods to continue a tradition of excellence in pre-cooked bacon and to allow our customers, employees and the Indiana community to grow with a leader in the foodservice marketplace.” ConAgra Foods will continue to operate Marburger's Peru, Ind., plant with its existing employees.

ASE Foodservice, headquartered in Downers Grove, Ill., is a leading value- added protein supplier to the foodservice industry, offering an unparalleled selection in every prepared meats category under top brands including Armour, Butterball, Eckrich, Healthy Choice and Margherita. ASE Foodservice is part of ConAgra Foods, Inc., a $27-billion food company that sets America's tables at home with a powerhouse of consumer brands, and away from home with its foodservice products served by restaurants and institutions.

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