No Laughing Matter

Cheesemaker Bob Gilbert has that old problem every business owner thinks he would love to have: he can't make enough of his Laughing Cow cheese to meet demand. It's all thanks to a mention of the cheese in The South Beach Diet book. Bel/Kaukauna expects to sell about 10 million lbs of Laughing Cow cheese this year, in part by importing more from France and by expanding U.S. production Gilbert says. Demand is double that, he says.

Dreyer's Net Losses

Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream Holdings blamed high butter prices, and merger expenses for second-quarter net loss of $88.4 million. Margins shrunk to 11% from 18% last year. Without merger-related expenses, Dreyer's would have posted a $29 million loss.

Juice Spared

Tropicana says that both its Bradenton and Ft. Pierce manufacturing and distribution facilities in Florida were not damaged by Hurricane Charley and are fully operational, despite significant storm impact south and east of the Bradenton facility. In response to the hurricane, Tropicana is working closely with relief agencies to provide donated product and other assistance.

China's Growth

American Dairy Inc., one of the leading producers and distributors of milk powder and soybean products in China reported 800% income growth for the second quarter of 2004. Income rose to $1.5 million compared to about $161,000 for the same period in 2003. The company projects sales of $48 million and net income before taxes of $6 million by year end 2004.