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May 17, 2016

Litehouse reports double-digit growth in 2015

Strong sales attributed to product innovation and Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)

Sandpoint, Idaho  (May 17, 2016) – Litehouse, Inc., the nation’s premier salad dressing, sauce, dip, herb and cheese company, reported that company revenue grew by more than 10 percent in 2015, one year after becoming 100 percent employee-owned. Last year Litehouse achieved additional revenue milestones, including recording its highest sales week and highest sales month in the company’s 50-year history.

Litehouse’s 10 percent growth significantly outpaced the average growth of 2.5 percent attributed to post Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) formation, according to the National Center for Employee Ownership. It also significantly outpaced the salad dressing industry growth average of 1.1 percent according to Datamonitor.

“The hard work of our team and our product innovations have made us a leader in the Refrigerated Salad Dressing aisle,” said Jim Frank president and CEO of Litehouse. “Consumers love our wide variety of products and value that we are a family of employee-owners dedicated to feeding families across America our delicious foods.”

Last year Litehouse introduced numerous products including two new flavors and a new look to the Organic dressing line, the number one selling organic brand in the RSD category. The company also debuted Green Garden, a wholesome line of dressings that are carefully crafted with USDA Organic Certified extra-virgin olive oil. Both the Green Garden and Organic dressings feature the certifications consumers are seeking: USDA Certified Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified and Gluten-Free Certified.

Litehouse first formed its ESOP in 2006, selling 30 percent of the company to team members as a commitment to its employees and their communities. The move to 100 percent ESOP in December 2014 ensured continued local ownership with potential for significant retirement funds for employees. Studies have found that companies with ESOPs grow at a higher rate than comparable non-ESOP companies. There are more than 10 million participants in ESOP programs in the United States.

To help employee owners understand their ESOP, keep up-to-date on news and learn what they can do to positively impact performance, Litehouse holds annual shareholder meetings in its three facilities. The company also recently formed an ESOP Ambassador Committee, comprised of employees from all of its locations.

“Our ESOP Ambassador Committee is a vital resource to share information and gain insights from all our employee owners,” added Jim Frank. Together we have an amazing opportunity to ensure sustained growth and success for Litehouse now and in the future.”

 

About Litehouse Inc.
Litehouse, Inc. started in the Hope, Idaho restaurant of the Hawkins family over 50 years ago. Since that time, it has become the leader in refrigerated salad dressings, fruit and veggie dips, sauces, Instantly Fresh® Herbs, blue cheese, and apple cider, manufacturing these delicious products in three U.S. facilities based in Michigan, Utah and Idaho. Litehouse is proud to be 100% employee-owned and each one of the employee owners is proud to carry on the high standards of quality and innovation, living up to the slogan…Families Making Food for Families. For more information, visit www.LitehouseFoods.com.

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Host A Bigger Bolder Tailgate with LITEHOUSE IN THE HOUSE

Join America's No. 1 Refrigerated Dressing Brand for Football Season Featuring a Ranch Cave Sweepstakes, Instant Wins, and More Tailgating Fun

SANDPOINT, IDAHO, November 2, 2023 – As the football season excitement continues to build, ® is taking the tailgating experience to new heights with its “LITEHOUSE IN THE HOUSE” campaign featuring America’s No. 1 Ranch Fan. The “LITEHOUSE IN THE HOUSE” campaign has yielded exceptional results to-date, including record sales market share this year. America’s #1 Refrigerated Dressing Brand1 is “Ready to Ranch” with “The Ranch Guy” and must-have Litehouse Dressings and Dips with a Ranch Cave sweepstakes and instant wins. “Football viewership is increasing this season2, and fans are looking for ways to elevate their go-to tailgate foods for game day,” said Paul Hemingway, Vice President of Marketing & Communications at Litehouse Inc. “Our ‘LITEHOUSE IN THE HOUSE’ Tailgate campaign offers multiple ways of creating an unforgettable tailgating experience, from our delicious dressing and dips to exciting contests tied to the action on the field." The campaign gives Litehouse enthusiasts a slew of ranch dressing-forward prizes to win all season long, including: • A Ranch Cave Sweepstakes: One ranch-loving grand prize winner will win their very own Ranch Cave with fooball cave essentials.  One first-prize winner will receive a year's worth of Lithehouse ranch dressing and fifty second-prize winner will receive Litehouse Ranch -Shaped pillows, the perfect addition to any tailgate hang. Interested fans can enter to win here starting Nov. 3. • "Take it to the House" Instant Wins: Every Sunday, Litehouse will celebrate the first time a player takes it to the house. Starting in November, the first time there is an interception, kick-off, or punt return for a touchdown, Litehouse will give away free bottles of Litehouse ranch dressing! Follow @litehouse foods on Instagram for more information. Running now until the Big Game in February 2024, the national campaign also features a variety of social media, digital marketing, and shopper marketing tactics, including:
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About Litehouse:  

Litehouse, Inc. started in the Hope, Idaho restaurant of the Hawkins family over 60 years ago. Since then, it has become a leader in refrigerated salad dressings, dips, sauces, cheese, and other innovative consumer packaged goods, manufacturing these delicious products at its five U.S. facilities based in Idaho, Michigan, Utah, and Virginia. Litehouse offers its diverse portfolio of products through general retail, e-commerce, foodservice, deli, member stores, and value-added goods, where Litehouse products are featured in meal and salad kits. Litehouse is proud to be 100% employee-owned, and each one of the employee-owners delivers on high standards of quality and innovation.   

  

For more information, visit , , , and . 

1Circana US MULO Latest 52 Weeks Ending 10/8/23.  

 

2 2023 Week 2 Viewership Ending 9/18/23.

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