PARMALAT INCREASES ITS YOGURT MARKET
By Adnews Staff
Toronto-based Parmalat Canada has bought Astro Dairy Products of Toronto. The deal is expected to close next week. Parmalat markets its Beatrice brand of yogurt, sour creams and cottage cheese. Astro makes yogurt and cultured dairy products as well. "The acquisition of Astro is an important part of Parmalat's growth strategy," Parmalat refrigerated products president Randy Benson says in a release. "Astro adds another high quality brand to our cultured product mix and provides Parmalat with additional specialized capabilities in product development in the yogurt segment." Astro president and CEO Jim Biltekoff will become vice-president and general manager of Parmalat's new Astro/Beatrice yogurt and cultured business. Advertising for Parmalat is handled by Palmer Jarvis DDB of Vancouver. Astro has a manufacturing facility in Toronto and distribution facilities in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa and Vancouver. Parmalat markets its Beatrice line of products through its national sales force with manufacturing plants in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont., and Lethbridge, AB.