OVERLAND PARK, Kan., Dec 09, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Following the successful introduction of Sifto(TM) branded
specialty salts for Canadian consumers, Compass Minerals (NYSE: CMP),
through its U.S. subsidiary North American Salt Company, is introducing
its line of value-added specialty food salts to U.S. retailers.
The new expanded private label line, which adds gourmet sea salts,
low-sodium salt and a salt substitute to the company's existing table
and Kosher salt products, will be available to U.S.retailers
nationwide in January 2010. The expanded line will allow retailers to
take advantage of the growing specialty salt category, which increased
in North America by approximately 9 percent during 2009*.
More shoppers are also turning to private label, with data* indicating
that private label sales of consumer goods increased 17 percent from
2007 to 2009. "This new expanded specialty salt line provides U.S.
retailers the opportunity to strengthen their premium-tier private label
program and increase category sales and margins," said Jerry Bucan, vice
president and general manager of consumer and industrial business. "And,
consumer interest in specialty salts is increasing in association with
trends in at-home meal preparation, dietary preferences and gourmet
cooking."
About Compass Minerals
Based in the Kansas City metropolitan area, Compass Minerals is a
leading producer of minerals, including salt, sulfate of potash
specialty fertilizer and magnesium chloride. The company provides
highway deicing salt to customers in North America and the United
Kingdom and specialty fertilizer to growers worldwide. Compass Minerals
also produces consumer deicing and water conditioning products,
ingredients used in consumer and commercial foods, and other
mineral-based products for consumer, agricultural and industrial
applications. Compass Minerals also provides records management services
to businesses throughout the U.K.
About North American Salt Company
North American Salt Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Compass
Minerals, sells salt and other minerals to customers throughout the
United States. The company's products include mined rock salt for
highway and consumer deicing, and high-grade branded and private label
mineral products for consumer and industrial uses.
About Sifto Canada Corp.
Sifto Canada Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of Compass Minerals, sells
salt and other minerals to customers throughout Canada. As one of
Canada's favorite brands, Sifto is well-known for its high-quality food
salt, water conditioning minerals, pool salt, mined rock salt for
highway and consumer deicing, agricultural minerals, and high-grade
branded and private label mineral products for consumer and industrial
uses. It operates the world's largest rock salt mine and is
headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario.
This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These
statements are based on the Company's current expectations and involve
risks and uncertainties that could cause the Company's actual results to
differ materially. The differences could be caused by a number of
factors including those factors identified in Compass Minerals
International's annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on February 20, 2009. The Company undertakes no
obligation to update any forward-looking statements made in this press
release to reflect future events or developments.
*Based on data provided by The Nielsen Company. Used with permission.
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SOURCE: Compass Minerals
Compass Minerals
Peggy Landon, 913-344-9315
Director of Investor Relations and Corporate Communications