Creekstone Farms Praises Reported Progress in Re-opening of Japanese Market to US Beef, Warns that Japanese Consumers Want BSE Tested Beef
5/25/2006 11:30:00 AM
To: International Desk
Contact: Ed Rothschild of PodestaMattoon, 202-393-1010 or Christine Tanner of Creekstone Farms, 620-741-3357
ARKANSAS CITY, Kan., May 25 /U.S. Newswire/ -– Although expressing some concerns, Creekstone Farms Premium Beef today welcomed recent reports that the Japanese Government and the U.S. Government are moving closer to reaching an agreement on the conditions to reopen the Japanese market to U.S. beef.
"While we are confident and pleased that Japan will reopen its market to US beef, we are concerned that it will be a lengthy and expensive process before US beef processors regain their market share lost when Japan halted imports in 2003," said John Stewart, CEO and founder of Creekstone Farms.
"While we continue to believe that U.S. beef is safe, current opinion polls in Japan tell us that the Japanese consumer prefers the additional layer of confidence offered by testing every animal processed for that market," Stewart continued.
"It is our hope that the US Department of Agriculture will recognize the overwhelming public support and importance of allowing companies like Creekstone Farms to voluntarily test all of our production because of these customer demands," added Stewart. "This testing will be done at our own expense and passed on to the consumer," Stewart said.
Stewart also noted Australian beef producers now have an 85 percent market share (compared to 20 percent before Japan closed to the U.S.) and are not going to give it up without a fight. They are setting up feedlots to provide grain-fed beef. They will spend tens of millions of dollars to preserve their market share. Providing Japanese consumers with 100 percent BSE tested beef is an important component of regaining consumer confidence in Japan and improving America's trade with Japan.
Creekstone Farms(r) Premium Beef, LLC was founded more than a decade ago with the goal of providing superior quality food products to satisfy the most discerning consumers. Today, the Creekstone Farms Premium Black Angus Beef program is one of a few branded programs certified by the USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). Creekstone supplies many of the nation's top grocers and restaurants with quality Black Angus Beef products, ranging from high quality Prime grade beef to premium value added consumer Heat & Serve entrees. Additionally, the company markets the country's leading brand of Natural Beef with no added hormones or antibiotics. The company exports its premium quality products to Europe, Latin America and Asia. Creekstone is co-owned by Sun Capital Partners, one of America's largest private investment companies and John Stewart, CEO and Founder of the company.
Sun Capital Partners, Inc. is a leading private investment firm focused on leveraged buyouts, equity, debt, and other investments in market-leading companies that can benefit from its in-house operating professionals and experience. Sun Capital affiliates have invested in and managed more than 110 companies worldwide with combined sales in excess of $27.0 billion since Sun Capital's inception in 1995. Sun Capital has offices in Boca Raton, Los Angeles, New York, London, and Shenzhen.
http://www.usnewswire.com/
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5/25/2006 11:30:00 AM
To: International Desk
Contact: Ed Rothschild of PodestaMattoon, 202-393-1010 or Christine Tanner of Creekstone Farms, 620-741-3357
ARKANSAS CITY, Kan., May 25 /U.S. Newswire/ -– Although expressing some concerns, Creekstone Farms Premium Beef today welcomed recent reports that the Japanese Government and the U.S. Government are moving closer to reaching an agreement on the conditions to reopen the Japanese market to U.S. beef.
"While we are confident and pleased that Japan will reopen its market to US beef, we are concerned that it will be a lengthy and expensive process before US beef processors regain their market share lost when Japan halted imports in 2003," said John Stewart, CEO and founder of Creekstone Farms.
"While we continue to believe that U.S. beef is safe, current opinion polls in Japan tell us that the Japanese consumer prefers the additional layer of confidence offered by testing every animal processed for that market," Stewart continued.
"It is our hope that the US Department of Agriculture will recognize the overwhelming public support and importance of allowing companies like Creekstone Farms to voluntarily test all of our production because of these customer demands," added Stewart. "This testing will be done at our own expense and passed on to the consumer," Stewart said.
Stewart also noted Australian beef producers now have an 85 percent market share (compared to 20 percent before Japan closed to the U.S.) and are not going to give it up without a fight. They are setting up feedlots to provide grain-fed beef. They will spend tens of millions of dollars to preserve their market share. Providing Japanese consumers with 100 percent BSE tested beef is an important component of regaining consumer confidence in Japan and improving America's trade with Japan.
Creekstone Farms(r) Premium Beef, LLC was founded more than a decade ago with the goal of providing superior quality food products to satisfy the most discerning consumers. Today, the Creekstone Farms Premium Black Angus Beef program is one of a few branded programs certified by the USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). Creekstone supplies many of the nation's top grocers and restaurants with quality Black Angus Beef products, ranging from high quality Prime grade beef to premium value added consumer Heat & Serve entrees. Additionally, the company markets the country's leading brand of Natural Beef with no added hormones or antibiotics. The company exports its premium quality products to Europe, Latin America and Asia. Creekstone is co-owned by Sun Capital Partners, one of America's largest private investment companies and John Stewart, CEO and Founder of the company.
Sun Capital Partners, Inc. is a leading private investment firm focused on leveraged buyouts, equity, debt, and other investments in market-leading companies that can benefit from its in-house operating professionals and experience. Sun Capital affiliates have invested in and managed more than 110 companies worldwide with combined sales in excess of $27.0 billion since Sun Capital's inception in 1995. Sun Capital has offices in Boca Raton, Los Angeles, New York, London, and Shenzhen.
http://www.usnewswire.com/
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