Atlantic Premium Brands Reports Record 1998 Sales and Profits

Atlantic Premium Brands, Ltd. (Northbrook, IL) announced record sales and profits from continuing operations for the fiscal year ending Dec. 31, 1998. For the year, fully diluted income per common share from continuing operations was a 293% increase over the previous year.

Atlantic Premium Brands recently completed the sale of its beverage division, in furtherance of its strategy to concentrate its efforts on the manufacture, marketing and distribution of packaged food products.

Alan Sussna, president and CEO, commented, "1998 was the best year in our company's history. Operationally, we posted record profits while also investing significantly in our brands. Strategically, we also made tremendous progress. Exiting the beverage distribution business will bring more single-minded focus to our food businesses. Launching Blue Ribbon Texas Traditions and Richard's Cajun Favorites leverages our assets, adds value to our brands, and will help us to alleviate the impact of fluctuating raw material prices through greater diversification in our product mix. The acquisition of J.C. Potter in the first quarter added a large, strong brand to our portfolio."

Atlantic Premium Brands, Ltd., through its operations in Texas, Louisiana, Kentucky and Oklahoma, manufactures, markets and distributes packaged meats and other food products for customers in a 12 state region. Through its operations, the company markets and distributes its own branded processed meat products under brand names including J.C. Potter, Blue Ribbon, Richard's, Grogan's Farm, Carlton, and Partin's Country Sausage.