Brea-based Ventura Foods LLC said Friday that it wrapped up its $198 million buy of two businesses from Dallas-based Dean Foods Co.
The deal includes Dean Foods’ Marie’s dressings and Dean’s dips businesses and a plant in Thornton, Ill. Ventura Foods also has the right to use the Dean’s trademark on dips as part of the pact.
The buy, which was announced last month, boosts Ventura’s line of branded foods for the retail market, said Chief Executive Rick Mazer, who took over the company earlier this year.
Ventura Foods has sales of $1.6 billion a year. Ventura makes shortenings, cooking oils, mayonnaise, dressings, sauces and other foods. Hidden Valley salad dressing is one of its top sellers.
Earlier this year Mazer said he plans to grow Ventura via developing products through research and development and by acquiring businesses.
The company is eyeing large business units of companies with national brands, he said.
The company has 2,500 workers, including 200 in Brea. Customers include Burger King Corp., Wendy’s International Inc., Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Sysco Corp.
Ventura is a venture of Tokyo’s Mitsui & Co. and CHS Inc., of Inver Grove Heights, Minn.
