Ventura Foods LLC announced it has completed its purchase of the Marie's dressings and Dean's dips businesses from the Deans Foods Company.

The $198 million transaction includes the Marie's brand and manufacturing facility in Thornton, Ill., and a long-term license agreement whereby Ventura Foods will have the right to use the Dean's trademark on dips.

"This acquisition adds two great brands to our strong portfolio of consumer food products," says Ventura Foods president and CEO Richard Mazer. Both brands are first in their categories and have national distribution. "Our objective is to leverage the strong customer loyalty and quality present in both brands."

Mazer added that an aggressive marketing program is being developed to promote Marie's dressings and Dean's dips. Until that program is implemented, a transition plan has been put in place which provides continuity and preserves customer relationships and distribution patterns. Ventura Foods assures it will provide a seamless transition to its customers with no disruption in service or marketing programs.