M&A - Lifeway Foods, Inc.

Form Type: PREC14A

Filing Date: 2025-04-16

Corporate Action: Acquisition

Type: New

Accession Number: 000168316825002629

Filing Summary: Lifeway Foods, Inc. filed a preliminary proxy statement on April 15, 2025, in connection with its 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, where shareholders were urged to vote for a slate of alternative director nominees led by Edward Smolyansky. This solicitation is driven by Mr. Smolyansky’s concern that the current board has not adequately explored potential strategic alternatives, including a possible sale of the Company, a matter highlighted by a previous acquisition proposal from Danone North America to purchase shares at increasing prices ($25.00 and later $27.00). The current board rejected these acquisition attempts. Mr. Smolyansky is advocating for the removal and replacement of the incumbent board to create better shareholder value. The meeting will take place virtually, and shareholders are encouraged to use a GREEN universal proxy card to vote for the nominated slate opposed to the current board.

Form Type: 8-K

Filing Date: 2025-02-11

Corporate Action: Acquisition

Type: New

Accession Number: 000168316825000930

Filing Summary: On February 11, 2025, Lifeway Foods, Inc. issued a press release congratulating Simple Mills and its CEO, Kaitlin Smith, on the recently announced sale of Simple Mills to Flowers Foods. Lifeway Foods was an early investor in Simple Mills since 2015 and expects to receive approximately $5,000,000 upon the sale's completion. The Company's Board of Directors expressed support for CEO Julie Smolyansky, who facilitated the initial investment in Simple Mills.