PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release Monday, February 27, 2006

Contact: Noel LaBine 763-477-3086

Wright County Partnership does BR&E visit to Annandale Foods.

   The Wright County Economic Development Partnership has been doing Business Retention & Expansion visits (BR&E) to area manufacturer's and food processor for several months now. The purpose of these visits is two fold. First, a group of people, who would regularly visit industry as part of their job such as representatives from government agencies, utilities, and local community leaders gathers into a team and visits a local business together. In this group manner the visit becomes more efficient for the business owner, as they get to meet several people, who can help them, at the same time. Secondly, during the visit information is gathered and shared to support growth of the industry. In early February Annandale Foods, LLC was visited by the Partnership's BR&E group. The following is a profile of this new Wright County food processing company.

   You can call the timing fortunate or lovely. But without a great deal of fanfare, Annandale Foods began operating in the Annandale Industrial Park on February 14 th , 2005 . Their main customer from the beginning has been Select Food Products, Inc. located in Plymouth , MN . Annandale Foods produces a retail Mini Cheeseburger package as well as a Mini Chicken sandwich and a Mini Hotdog. Select Food Products distributes and markets these products to Wal-Mart Super Centers all across the United States as well as several other customers.

  With an eye for the future and more markets, Annandale Foods is also starting to produce a full size cheeseburger as well as other full-size sandwiches, which includes a full-line of breakfast sandwiches. Although Wal-Mart is their biggest customer, they are currently working with other large companies such as Advance Brands, Aldi, Piggly Wiggly, Bi- Lo, and Cost-U-Less just to name a few.

  Annandale Foods is a small company and they are willing to work with anyone to grow their business while providing customer service and quality products to the consumer. They pride themselves on being able to respond to what the customers needs are, not what they think the customer needs. The President, Clell Deakins, has over 24 years of experience working in the food industry. His experience with Tyson Foods has been vital in the development of this food production company. Clell believes this company will increase in size as a result of their vision and dedication to the customers ever changing needs.

  There is a lot of growth potential for Annandale Foods. They have a relatively small building with two new state-of-the-art Delta over-wrap machines and Adco automated inner carton erector / gluers, with laser technology date coding systems which are used to process and package the sandwiches. Currently there is only one shift of team members and Clell anticipates adding a second shift by June or July. Clell hopes to double their output within the next year by increasing their customer base and product sales. They are willing to expand who they sell to, and also are looking for other vendors for their work in process components. Currently, they get one of their products from a local supplier; Sunny Fresh Foods. Because of the nature of their products it is not unusual to have to get a product from outside of Minnesota . Their hope is to find suppliers that are located closer to their facility, which would result in significant freight savings.

   The Partnership exists to enhance the business climate of Wright County and help create more jobs in Wright County . The strategies the Partnership uses to achieve its mission include being an information resource and finding technical assistance; aiding business development through Business Retention & Expansion visits, providing financing resources, and providing business information and training through seminars and workshops. Also, the Partnership markets Wright County to business site locators, and maintains an excellent website, which includes a listing of commercial and industrial property available in Wright County (see www.wrightpartnership.org ). The Partnership also assists with Workforce Development and has gathered economic statistical information, which is available on its website.