Lancaster Colony Commercial Products acquired by Lancaster Commercial Products, LLC; Expands offerings, accessibility in retail markets

Columbus, Ohio (June 5, 2013) – Effective May 10, 2013, Lancaster Colony Commercial Products, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Lancaster Colony Corporation (Nasdaq: LANC), sold substantially all of its assets to Lancaster Commercial Products LLC, a privately held organization owned by Frederick Haleluk, whose additional holdings include Mr. Ice BucketTM and Metallo Gasket of New Brunswick, New Jersey. The business now operates as Lancaster Commercial Products LLC under the direction of Ken Evans as President, who formerly served as President of Lancaster Colony Commercial Products, Inc.

This acquisition brings together two long-standing suppliers of housewares and giftware products. Mr. Ice Bucket has been in business since 1965, with a majority of sales occurring in retail segments. Lancaster Commercial Products has a history that goes back to 1978 in the provision of quality, service, and selection to the hospitality/hotel, and restaurant markets. Building on those successes, Lancaster Commercial Products introduced several product lines within the past decade, including the stylish, Italian made PFOA free, non-stick, ceramic-coated PENSOFAL® bakeware and cookware collection for the gourmet at home, as well as world class LUCARIS® titanium, lead-free crystal stemware by Ocean Glass of Thailand.

“This is an exciting opportunity,” said Haleluk. “The transaction brings together two successful companies with complementary product lines and reputable market brands. The creative, innovative and technical skills of Mr. Ice Bucket will harmonize well with the superior customer service, extensive production capacity and structural fortitude of Lancaster Commercial Products. With our outstanding employees, and a combined history of more than 50 years in the retail arena, our customers can take advantage of increased scale, from faster delivery through multiple locations to an expanded catalog of housewares and giftware. We will plan for accelerated growth by leveraging our enhanced strengths in geographical coverage and customer relationships.”

Mr. Ice Bucket and Lancaster Commercial Products LLC will both operate independently under the common ownership of Haleluk, who will serve as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board.

According to Ken Evans, President of Lancaster Commercial Products, LLC, business will continue to be conducted as usual. “We remain committed to the mission of providing products and exceptional service to customers among our core markets,” stated Evans. “We do not foresee significant changes in key personnel or in the business agreements we have in place with our customers, suppliers or partners at this time.”

About Lancaster Commercial Products, LLC

Since 1978, Lancaster Commercial Products LLC has served hospitality/lodging, and foodservice/restaurant markets. The company’s Wescon® brand of lodging supplies and guestroom offers the largest selection available in styles, colors, price points, and materials such as wood, metal, plastic, vinyl or resin. Leveraging its success, the organization has transferred its core competencies in the delivery of quality products to chefs and hotel locations around the world to retail purveyors for the gourmet at home. The company introduced the PENSOFAL® bakeware and cookware collection for the U.S.A. retail market at the 2013 International Housewares Association (IHA) trade show. These stylish and ergonomically-designed Italian made selections feature BIOCERAMIX®, a PFOA free, non-stick ceramic-based coating that forms a smooth, consistent cooking surface. PENSOFAL® cookware has a patented reinforced, multilayer honeycomb base with an anti-warp and anti-skid bottom that improves heat transmission. The PENSOFAL® line is distributed in the United States exclusively by Lancaster Commercial Products.  Selections include 4-piece boxed gift sets, 9-piece boxed gift sets, PastaSi pots with patented interlocking colander lids for convenient draining, jumbo fry pans, high fry pans, skillets, woks, sauce pans, pancake pans, steak grillers, roasters, steam cookers, egg pans, and more.

Lancaster Commercial Products is also the exclusive distributor of LUCARIS® titanium, lead-free crystal stemware for the United States retail market. A world class luxury brand, LUCARIS® selections boast the shape, thinness, clarity and smoothness found among the finest crystal glassmakers, with the added physical strength of titanium for the ultimate in durability. The LUCARIS® crystal stemware family encompasses five different lines and nearly 60 pieces: the Hong Kong Hip vibrant, luxurious collection of wine and cocktail glasses; the Shanghai Soul collection of ultra fine dining wine, beer, and specialty cocktail pieces; the Tokyo Temptation modern, metropolitan wine and champagne series; the Bangkok Bliss casual dining wine, champagne and water glasses; and the Pure and Simple everyday wine, champagne, and cocktail glasses.

All of the organization’s retail products are offered through a national network of representatives.

Quality, American made products have been produced at the company’s 122,000 square foot manufacturing location, in Jackson, Ohio, since 1962. The company’s dedicated professionals, members of United Steelworkers, Local 2324-04, continue to bring expertise and stylish, durable items to customers among a vast array of industrial segments. Capabilities include thermoplastic injection molding, structural foam injection molding, vacuum thermoforming, assembly services, finishing and decorating, and design services.

About Mr. Ice Bucket

Since its beginning in 1965 in New Brunswick, New Jersey, Mr. Ice Bucket has manufactured a range of American made ice buckets with production sizes from one to 100,000 units, including models made with green environmentally functional component parts. Throughout its history, the organization became known for its creative, innovative and technical capabilities, and expanded its product mix to include champagne buckets, wine coolers, décor-glassware, ice tongs, wine bottle openers, and stainless steel barware. Today, the company’s umbrella of brands includes Mr. Ice BucketTM, Shelton-WareTM, Buckets Plus, M.I.B. Designs, PaperworksTM, and Kover-Klad, which are supplied worldwide through the company’s distribution in South America, Hong Kong, Russia, and the U.S.A. The company’s products are carried by retail stores and hotels, as well as corporate award and incentive programs.  

For more information, contact Vivian Khan, Director of Marketing, Lancaster Commercial Products, LLC Call: 800-292-7260 or 614-263-2850. Fax: 614-263-2857. E-mail: info@lccpinc.com. Web: www.LCCPinc.com.

Agency Contact: Sally Stevens, Executive Vice President, Stevens Strategic Communications, Inc., E-mail sstevens@stevensstrategic.com, phone (440) 617-0100 ext. 202, fax (440) 614-0529

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