To: mark cox who wrote (258 ) 9/29/1998 10:34:00 AM From: mark cox Respond to of 352
The latest press release from LWAY is like none I've ever read from them before. Mr. Smolyansky is the most upbeat I've ever seen. Usually he is quite conservative but in this one he seems very excited. These new distributors are big news, they also received orders from hundreds of stores for the kefir starter. As to their regular kefir products, "The demand was much stronger than we expected and moves Lifeway's products into national markets with unlimited potential." PRESS RELEASE:Lifeway Foods, Inc. Draws Strong Response at National Expo; New Distributors Gained Making Lifeway's Kefir the First To Be Available Nationwide September 29, 1998 SKOKIE, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 29, 1998--Lifeway Foods, Inc. (NASDAQ Small Cap:LWAY) announced today that its participation in the Natural Product Expo East show in Baltimore, Maryland on September 9-13 was the most significant in the Company's history. Lifeway's presence at the show proved to be a milestone in promoting its products and gained it several distributors for its original fermented dairy beverage known as kefir, secured three additional distributors for Basics Plus , its revolutionary new dietary drink, and landed new distributors for its latest product, instant Kefir Starter. Lifeway announced the Introduction of Kefir Starter in a news release on September 14, 1998. Kefir Starter, which has a two year shelf life and provides consumers with the ability to make their own Kefir at home, was enthusiastically accepted at the Show. The Company received orders from several hundred stores across the country and gained a number of distributors for its newest product. The initial shipment of Kefir Starter is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 1998. "This has been the most profitable show for Lifeway products in the Company's history," commented Michael Smolyansky, President and CEO. "There was an outstanding number of visitors to our booth and their response to Lifeway products was dynamic. Advocates of nutritional foods thanked us for our innovative products and recognized the quality of our products with significant orders. We gained several new distributors for our original product, kefir, which makes it the first kefir to be available nationwide . The demand was much stronger than we expected and moves Lifeway's products into national markets with unlimited potential. We believe that our success at the Baltimore show will increase our revenues and profits which will be reflected in our 1999 results. It has been enjoyable for me to watch the development of this company over the past couple of years. Its been slow but steady. LWAY goes to several of these food expos every year and it would be great if they can continue these results. This has been one of the best press releases that LWAY has released. As he stated about the potential impact on the 1999 revenues and earnings, it will take some time for these developments to have an impact. I can wait. Mark