JANES FORMS VENTURE TO GRAB SHARE OF U.S. MEAT MARKET

BRIAN DUNN

MONTREAL (FNS) Janes Family Foods, Ontario, a major player in frozen coated chicken and fish, has teamed with four other private Canadian food companies to launch an assault on the U.S. frozen prepared-meats market.

The move is being spearheaded by Michael Burrows, president of Janes of Concord, Ontario, which has three main businesses: Janes branded retail products, which accounts for 50% of all sales; private label, 35%; and food services, 10%. Sales in the United States account for the remaining 5% of Janes' sales.

The company is trying to increase its presence in the United States through a joint venture with four other Canadian companies: Morrison Lamothe and Marsan Foods, both of Toronto, and Premier's Choice and Cardinal Meats, both of Mississauga, Ontario.

Under the name The Frozen Network, the five companies produce a line called "Coming Home" a controlled label that features premium quality frozen boxed meats in family quantities of two pounds or more.

The line -- which features 30 frozen products ranging from lasagna and appetizers to beef burgers, ribs and hors d'oeuvres -- is currently being sold through Shaw's, East Bridgewater, Mass., and Publix Super Markets, Lakeland, Fla., both of which sell it under their store brand.

The company recently hired Dale Etter as its vice president of sales for its American market unit based in Chicago.