Latest news with #Lifeway
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Lifeway Foods Acknowledges ISS Recommendation to Reject Dissident Campaign
MORTON GROVE, Ill., July 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Lifeway Foods, Inc. (NASDAQ: LWAY), a leading U.S. supplier of kefir and fermented probiotic products, today announced that Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. (ISS), a leading independent proxy advisory firm, has recommended that shareholders "DO NOT VOTE" in connection with the ongoing dissident-led consent solicitation. In its report, ISS concluded that "the dissident has not presented a compelling case for change" and advised shareholders to "DO NOT VOTE" on all proposals put forth by Ludmila and Edward Smolyansky and their aligned group. "We appreciate ISS's thorough review and are pleased that their recommendation supports our belief that this consent solicitation is unwarranted, disruptive and not in the best interest of Lifeway shareholders," said Julie Smolyansky, CEO and Chair of Lifeway Foods. The ISS analysis noted that: Lifeway's "financial performance has been directionally positive" and its "share price [has] rallied over the preceding year on multiple positive earnings announcements," with total shareholder return significantly outperforming peers in the Russell 3000 Food Producers Index. The dissident group's critiques "are generally presented without adequate context," and the dissident group "does not clearly establish how various developments have actually impacted shareholder returns." The dissident group "has not presented a plan should it successfully secure a majority of board seats" for governance or operational improvement. The dissident nominees include individuals who previously contributed to governance concerns during their past tenures at the Company. "The Lifeway Board and management team remain focused on maximizing shareholder value and will continue to pursue all opportunities to drive additional value," added Smolyansky. "We encourage shareholders to follow ISS's guidance and take no action on the consent solicitation." About Lifeway Foods, Inc. Lifeway Foods, Inc., which has been recognized as one of Forbes' Best Small Companies, is America's leading supplier of the probiotic, fermented beverage known as Kefir. In addition to its line of drinkable Kefir, the company also produces a variety of cheeses and a ProBugs line for kids. Lifeway's tart and tangy fermented dairy products are now sold across the United States, Mexico, Ireland, South Africa, United Arab Emirates and France. Learn how Lifeway is good for more than just you at Important Additional Information The Company intends to file a proxy statement on Schedule 14A, an accompanying BLUE proxy card and other relevant documents with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") in connection with the solicitation of proxies from the Company's shareholders for the Company's 2025 annual meeting of shareholders. THE COMPANY'S SHAREHOLDERS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO READ THE COMPANY'S DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT (INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO), THE ACCOMPANYING BLUE PROXY CARD AND ALL OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Investors and shareholders may obtain a copy of the definitive proxy statement, an accompanying BLUE proxy card, any amendments or supplements to the definitive proxy statement and other documents filed by the Company with the SEC at no charge at the SEC's website at Copies will also be available at no charge by visiting the "Investor Relations" tab of the Company's website at The Company may file a consent revocation statement, in which case all references to a proxy statement, proxies, proxy cards and solicitation of proxies referenced in this "Important Additional Information" section and the "Participants in the Solicitation" section below shall be deemed to refer to such consent revocation statement, consent revocations, revocation cards and solicitation of consent revocations. Participants in the Solicitation The Company, each of its independent directors (Juan Carlos Dalto, Jody Levy, Dorri McWhorter, Perfecto Sanchez, Jason Scher and Pol Sikar) and certain of its executive officers (Julie Smolyansky, Chief Executive Officer, President and Secretary, and Eric Hanson, Chief Financial and Accounting Officer and Treasurer) are deemed to be "participants" (as defined in Schedule 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) in the solicitation of proxies from the Company's shareholders in connection with matters to be considered at the Company's 2025 annual meeting of shareholders. Information about the names of the Company's directors and officers, their respective interests in the Company by security holdings or otherwise and their respective compensation is set forth in the "Information About Our Directors and Executive Officers" section in Part III, Item 10 – Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance of Amendment No. 1 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, filed with the SEC on April 29, 2025 (the "Form 10-K Amendment"), in Part III, Item 11 – Executive Compensation of the Form 10-K Amendment and in the "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management" section in Part III, Item 12 – Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters of the Form 10-K Amendment. Supplemental information regarding the participants' holdings of the Company's securities can be found in SEC filings on Statements of Change in Ownership on Form 4 filed with the SEC on June 18, 2025 for Julie Smolyansky (available here) and Eric Hanson (available here) and on July 1, 2025 for each of Pol Sikar (available here), Juan Carlos Dalto (available here), Jason Scott Scher (available here), Dorri McWhorter (available here), Perfecto Sanchez (available here), and Jody Levy (available here). Contact: Perceptual AdvisorsDan TarmanEmail: dtarman@ Derek Miller Vice President of Communications, Lifeway FoodsEmail: derekm@ General inquiries:Lifeway Foods, 847-967-1010Email: info@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Lifeway Foods, Inc. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Malaysian Reserve
2 days ago
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Lifeway Foods Acknowledges ISS Recommendation to Reject Dissident Campaign
MORTON GROVE, Ill., July 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Lifeway Foods, Inc. (NASDAQ: LWAY), a leading U.S. supplier of kefir and fermented probiotic products, today announced that Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. (ISS), a leading independent proxy advisory firm, has recommended that shareholders 'DO NOT VOTE' in connection with the ongoing dissident-led consent solicitation. In its report, ISS concluded that 'the dissident has not presented a compelling case for change' and advised shareholders to 'DO NOT VOTE' on all proposals put forth by Ludmila and Edward Smolyansky and their aligned group. 'We appreciate ISS's thorough review and are pleased that their recommendation supports our belief that this consent solicitation is unwarranted, disruptive and not in the best interest of Lifeway shareholders,' said Julie Smolyansky, CEO and Chair of Lifeway Foods. The ISS analysis noted that: Lifeway's 'financial performance has been directionally positive' and its 'share price [has] rallied over the preceding year on multiple positive earnings announcements,' with total shareholder return significantly outperforming peers in the Russell 3000 Food Producers Index. The dissident group's critiques 'are generally presented without adequate context,' and the dissident group 'does not clearly establish how various developments have actually impacted shareholder returns.' The dissident group 'has not presented a plan should it successfully secure a majority of board seats' for governance or operational improvement. The dissident nominees include individuals who previously contributed to governance concerns during their past tenures at the Company. 'The Lifeway Board and management team remain focused on maximizing shareholder value and will continue to pursue all opportunities to drive additional value,' added Smolyansky. 'We encourage shareholders to follow ISS's guidance and take no action on the consent solicitation.' About Lifeway Foods, Inc. Lifeway Foods, Inc., which has been recognized as one of Forbes' Best Small Companies, is America's leading supplier of the probiotic, fermented beverage known as Kefir. In addition to its line of drinkable Kefir, the company also produces a variety of cheeses and a ProBugs line for kids. Lifeway's tart and tangy fermented dairy products are now sold across the United States, Mexico, Ireland, South Africa, United Arab Emirates and France. Learn how Lifeway is good for more than just you at Important Additional Information The Company intends to file a proxy statement on Schedule 14A, an accompanying BLUE proxy card and other relevant documents with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the 'SEC') in connection with the solicitation of proxies from the Company's shareholders for the Company's 2025 annual meeting of shareholders. THE COMPANY'S SHAREHOLDERS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO READ THE COMPANY'S DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT (INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO), THE ACCOMPANYING BLUE PROXY CARD AND ALL OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Investors and shareholders may obtain a copy of the definitive proxy statement, an accompanying BLUE proxy card, any amendments or supplements to the definitive proxy statement and other documents filed by the Company with the SEC at no charge at the SEC's website at Copies will also be available at no charge by visiting the 'Investor Relations' tab of the Company's website at The Company may file a consent revocation statement, in which case all references to a proxy statement, proxies, proxy cards and solicitation of proxies referenced in this 'Important Additional Information' section and the 'Participants in the Solicitation' section below shall be deemed to refer to such consent revocation statement, consent revocations, revocation cards and solicitation of consent revocations. Participants in the Solicitation The Company, each of its independent directors (Juan Carlos Dalto, Jody Levy, Dorri McWhorter, Perfecto Sanchez, Jason Scher and Pol Sikar) and certain of its executive officers (Julie Smolyansky, Chief Executive Officer, President and Secretary, and Eric Hanson, Chief Financial and Accounting Officer and Treasurer) are deemed to be 'participants' (as defined in Schedule 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) in the solicitation of proxies from the Company's shareholders in connection with matters to be considered at the Company's 2025 annual meeting of shareholders. Information about the names of the Company's directors and officers, their respective interests in the Company by security holdings or otherwise and their respective compensation is set forth in the 'Information About Our Directors and Executive Officers' section in Part III, Item 10 – Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance of Amendment No. 1 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, filed with the SEC on April 29, 2025 (the 'Form 10-K Amendment'), in Part III, Item 11 – Executive Compensation of the Form 10-K Amendment and in the 'Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management' section in Part III, Item 12 – Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters of the Form 10-K Amendment. Supplemental information regarding the participants' holdings of the Company's securities can be found in SEC filings on Statements of Change in Ownership on Form 4 filed with the SEC on June 18, 2025 for Julie Smolyansky (available here) and Eric Hanson (available here) and on July 1, 2025 for each of Pol Sikar (available here), Juan Carlos Dalto (available here), Jason Scott Scher (available here), Dorri McWhorter (available here), Perfecto Sanchez (available here), and Jody Levy (available here). Contact: Perceptual AdvisorsDan TarmanEmail: dtarman@ Derek Miller Vice President of Communications, Lifeway FoodsEmail: derekm@ General inquiries:Lifeway Foods, 847-967-1010Email: info@
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Lifeway Foods® Announces Record Week Surpassing $5.5 Million in Gross Sales Propelled by Strong Demand for Lifeway Kefir and Lifeway Farmer Cheese
Company Plans to Report Second Quarter 2025 Results on August 12, 2025 MORTON GROVE, Ill., July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Lifeway Foods, Inc. (Nasdaq: LWAY) ("Lifeway" or "the Company"), a leading U.S. supplier of kefir and fermented probiotic products to support the microbiome, today announced a milestone achievement of surpassing $5.5 million in gross sales for the week ending July 13th, 2025, representing a 66% increase from the prior year. The Company expects to report financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2025 on August 12, 2025 before market hours. A pre-recorded conference call and webcast with Julie Smolyanksy, Lifeway's President and Chief Executive Officer, discussing these results with additional comments and details will be made available through the "Investor Relations" section of the Company's website at upon dissemination of the first quarter results on August 12, 2025 before market hours. About Lifeway Foods, Foods, Inc., which has been recognized as one of Forbes' Best Small Companies, is America's leading supplier of the probiotic, fermented beverage known as kefir. In addition to its line of drinkable kefir, the company also produces a variety of cheeses and a ProBugs line for kids. Lifeway's tart and tangy fermented dairy products are now sold across the United States, Mexico, Ireland, South Africa, United Arab Emirates and France. Learn how Lifeway is good for more than just you at Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding, among other things, the expected growth of Lifeway's business. These statements use words, and variations of words, such as "will," "continue," "future," "increase," "believe," "outlook," "expect," and "predict." You are cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release, are based on current expectations of future events and thus are inherently subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which involve factors or circumstances beyond Lifeway's control. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from Lifeway's expectations and projections. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include: price competition; the decisions of customers or consumers; the actions of competitors; changes in the pricing of commodities; the effects of government regulation; possible delays in the introduction of new products; the distraction and other adverse effects of a proxy contest on the business; customer acceptance of products and services; and uncertainty regarding proposals or other actions taken by shareholders related to the unsolicited proposal made by Danone North America PBC ("Danone") to acquire all of the shares of Lifeway's stock that Danone does not already own. A further list and description of these risks, uncertainties and other factors can be found in Lifeway's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 and the Company's Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2025, each of which is available online at or or on request from Lifeway. Lifeway expressly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements (including, without limitation, to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or new information), except as required by law. Media: Derek Miller Vice President of Communications, Lifeway FoodsEmail: derekm@ Perceptual AdvisorsDan TarmanEmail: dtarman@ General inquiries:Lifeway Foods, 847-967-1010Email: info@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Lifeway Foods, Inc. Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Senior pastor finalist selected for Bellevue Baptist Church
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The pastor search committee at Bellevue Baptist Church has unanimously selected Ben Mandrell as their next senior pastor. Mandrell is currently the president and CEO of Lifeway Christian Resources, based in Brentwood, Tenn. According to a video posted on Bellevue's YouTube channel, Mandrell will speak to the congregation during a special service on Sunday, July 13th at 10 a.m. After the service, the entire congregation will vote on whether to accept the committee's recommendation of Mandrell as the new senior pastor at Bellevue. If selected, Mandrell will replace Dr. Steve Gaines, who is retiring after serving 20 years as Bellevue's senior pastor. Dr. Gaines announced his retirement back in September 2024, several months after being diagnosed with cancer. At the time, Gaines said his retirement was not connected to the diagnosis. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Malaysian Reserve
03-07-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Lifeway Foods Comments on Edward and Ludmila Smolyansky's Consent Solicitation and Urges Shareholders to Disregard the Unlawful Consent Solicitation Statement
MORTON GROVE, Ill., July 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Lifeway Foods, Inc. (NASDAQ: LWAY) ('Lifeway' or the 'Company'), a leading U.S. supplier of Kefir and fermented probiotic products to support the microbiome, made the following statement regarding Edward and Ludmila Smolyansky's consent solicitation statement: Lifeway values investor feedback and remains focused on maximizing shareholder value. Lifeway's strategy has delivered strong shareholder returns (788% over 5 years through the date prior to Danone's initial unsolicited proposal) and financial results (~100% revenue growth from FY '19 through FY '24). We look forward to continuing this momentum for the benefit of all shareholders. The Smolyanskys' definitive consent solicitation statement filed on July 2nd violates Illinois law and the Company's organizational documents. Their statement purports to set a record date for their proposals, when they don't have a right to do so, and ignores the requirement that all shareholders entitled to vote receive proper notice of the proposed action prior to the taking of any action by written consent — and they have failed to do so. In short, their statement is legally deficient. Accordingly, shareholders are urged to disregard the Smolyanskys' recent filing and any communications from them that violate the law and our charter/bylaws. About Lifeway Lifeway Foods, Inc., which has been recognized as one of Forbes' Best Small Companies, is America's leading supplier of the probiotic, fermented beverage known as Kefir. In addition to its line of drinkable Kefir, the company also produces a variety of cheeses and a ProBugs line for kids. Lifeway's tart and tangy fermented dairy products are now sold across the United States, Mexico, Ireland, South Africa, United Arab Emirates and France. Learn how Lifeway is good for more than just you at Important Additional Information The Company intends to file a proxy statement on Schedule 14A, an accompanying BLUE proxy card and other relevant documents with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the 'SEC') in connection with the solicitation of proxies from the Company's shareholders for the Company's 2025 annual meeting of shareholders. THE COMPANY'S SHAREHOLDERS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO READ THE COMPANY'S DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT (INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO), THE ACCOMPANYING BLUE PROXY CARD AND ALL OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Investors and shareholders may obtain a copy of the definitive proxy statement, an accompanying BLUE proxy card, any amendments or supplements to the definitive proxy statement and other documents filed by the Company with the SEC at no charge at the SEC's website at Copies will also be available at no charge by visiting the 'Investor Relations' tab of the Company's website at The Company may file a consent revocation statement in connection with the consent solicitation described in this press release, in which case all references to a proxy statement, proxies, proxy cards and solicitation of proxies referenced in this 'Important Additional Information' section and the 'Participants in the Solicitation' section below shall be deemed to refer to such consent revocation statement, consent revocations, revocation cards and solicitation of consent revocations. Participants in the Solicitation The Company, each of its independent directors (Juan Carlos Dalto, Jody Levy, Dorri McWhorter, Perfecto Sanchez, Jason Scher and Pol Sikar) and certain of its executive officers (Julie Smolyansky, Chief Executive Officer, President and Secretary, and Eric Hanson, Chief Financial and Accounting Officer and Treasurer) are deemed to be 'participants' (as defined in Schedule 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) in the solicitation of proxies from the Company's shareholders in connection with matters to be considered at the Company's 2025 annual meeting of shareholders. Information about the names of the Company's directors and officers, their respective interests in the Company by security holdings or otherwise and their respective compensation is set forth in the 'Information About Our Directors and Executive Officers' section in Part III, Item 10 – Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance of Amendment No. 1 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, filed with the SEC on April 29, 2025 (the 'Form 10-K Amendment'), in Part III, Item 11 – Executive Compensation of the Form 10-K Amendment and in the 'Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management' section in Part III, Item 12 – Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters of the Form 10-K Amendment. Supplemental information regarding the participants' holdings of the Company's securities can be found in SEC filings on Statements of Change in Ownership on Form 4 filed with the SEC on June 18, 2025 for Julie Smolyansky (available here) and on July 1, 2025 for each of Pol Sikar (available here), Juan Carlos Dalto (available here), Jason Scott Scher (available here), Dorri McWhorter (available here), Perfecto Sanchez (available here), and Jody Levy (available here). Contacts: Perceptual Advisors Dan Tarman Email: dtarman@ Derek Miller Vice President of Communications, Lifeway Foods Email: derekm@
