Enjoy Life Natural Brands - Consumer Need for Gluten-Free, Allergen-Free, Celiac-Friendly Foods Fuels Strong Company Growth
It is estimated that 12 million Americans have at least one food allergy and three million people (1 in 100) have celiac disease, an autoimmune disease that requires lifelong avoidance of gluten.
22/01/07 Enjoy Life Natural Brands, LLC (ELNB), a leading gluten-and allergen-free food manufacturer, enjoyed a successful 2006 and is looking forward to an even brighter 2007. The company nearly doubled sales of its Enjoy Life and Perky's brands in 2006, expanded distribution in the western U.S. and throughout Canada and introduced six delicious new products.
In 2006, ELNB was the first company to receive independent gluten-free certification from the Gluten Free Certification Organization (GFCO), giving consumers confidence that all Enjoy Life products are safe for gluten-free diets. The company's state-of-the-art facility in Schiller Park, IL opened in early 2006 and is a fully dedicated allergen-free manufacturing facility, ensuring the highest level of food safety and quality.
Positioning itself for continued success in 2007, ELNB has expanded its senior management team, hiring two food industry veterans. Patricia Marko, Director of Sales, and Nancy Curby, Director of Marketing, bring considerable experience in building strong consumer brands in the natural food and grocery channels including Mrs. Leeper's and Boca Burger, respectively.
In addition, Bert Cohen, CFO and Co-founder, will transition out of his current role but will remain on the company's board of directors. "As a co-founder of Enjoy Life, I am excited about the opportunity that exists in the gluten-free, allergen-free market and believe that Enjoy Life is well positioned to become the market leader," said Cohen. "As I transition out of a daily operational role, I look forward to continuing my support of Enjoy Life through my strategic role as a board member." Cohen will remain in his operational role until March 1, 2007.
The company predicts continued strong demand for gluten-free and allergen- free foods. It is estimated that 12 million Americans have at least one food allergy and three million people (1 in 100) have celiac disease, an autoimmune disease that requires lifelong avoidance of gluten.
According to Scott Mandell, CEO, President and Co-founder, "the outlook for the gluten-free and allergen-free category is extremely positive as more manufacturers and retailers look to expand their offerings. Enjoy Life is uniquely qualified to meet the needs of dietary restricted consumers. We are fully committed to our mission of bringing great-tasting gluten- and allergen- free foods to market." Mandell continues, "We expect 2007 to be our best year ever as we launch additional products and expand our distribution into new markets."
Enjoy Life offers 19 products including soft-baked cookies, snack bars, granola, bagels, semisweet chocolate chips and trail mix that are specially made to be gluten-free and free of the eight most common allergens. They are also all natural, trans-fat free and made in a dedicated nut- and gluten-free bakery. ELNB's Perky's brand offers five gluten- and nut-free cereals including Perky O's, Nutty Rice and Nutty Flax.
