[thistleclub]

Toronto Star, Feb 1, 2007
Labatt swallows Lakeport

The future of Lakeport's plant in Hamilton, and the management team, including Cascioli, under the new owners was not immediately clear.

On a conference call with analysts this morning, Cascioli said she couldn't answer any questions relating to Lakeport's future.

"As I always say, there's uncertainty in everything," she said. "Certainly, it's very early stages. I can't offer any comment with respect to myself, personally."

As for the plant that brews Lakeport beer, Cascioli said "the new acquirer will undertake whatever it needs to do to run its business."

Spec, May 8, 2007
Labatt keeping Lakeport open

"Lakeport has done great job of controlling its costs," [Neil Sweeney, Labatt's vice-president of corporate affairs] said. "We are looking for ways to cut costs on a daily basis."

Labatt Canada president Miguel Patricio reinforced that in a news release announcing an end to the integration effort.

"We are proud to integrate the Lakeport team into Labatt," he said. "Lakeport's brands are a great strategic fit within the overall Labatt beer portfolio. We want to continue the tradition of great beer at fair prices, and capitalize on the loyalty that Lakeport has built with beer drinkers."

Teamsters Canada, Feb 24, 2008
Labatt Breweries and Teamsters Local Union 938 of Lakeport Brewery Reach Collective Agreement

"We are delighted to have reached an agreement with the Teamsters that is fair, progressive and consistent with recent agreements made at other Labatt facilities," said Charlie Angelakos, Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Labatt Breweries of Canada. "The Lakeport brewery and its value brands play an important role within the Labatt family portfolio. Labatt remains committed to Lakeport's tradition of delivering great beer at fair prices and ensuring our loyal Lakeport and Labatt consumers and beer drinkers in Hamilton and across Ontario have a wide range of choice across all beer segments."

Spec, Mar 30, 2010
Labatt will strip Lakeport equipment

Jeff Ryan, Labatt’s director of corporate affairs, said the brewery will close and “the decision is final.”

Ryan said the decision is “the result of the need to improve operating efficiency in a demanding market and the unexpected excess capacity in (our) brewing network.”

Charlie Angelakos, Labatt’s vice-president of corporate affairs, said in a statement that closing Lakeport is the “only rational business decision available to us.”

He said Hamilton is among the brewer’s highest-cost plants. London, Ont., is its most efficient.