Schneiders® "Wiener Beacon" Ready to Radiate New Life

Schneiders® 401 sign renovations complete: Share your message for a chance to win

TSX: MFI
www.mapleleaffoods.com

TORONTO, Aug. 8, 2013 /CNW/ - Maple Leaf Foods has completed renovations on the Schneiders® "Wiener Beacon" sign, located beside Highway 401 near Highway 6.

"The Schneiders 401 sign needed upgrading and we were faced with the decision of either taking it down completely or investing in an upgrade," said Andrew Pollock, Senior Vice President, Marketing and Innovation, Maple Leaf Consumer Foods. "The sign has an iconic history in the region and the Schneiders brand is stronger than ever before.  The upgrades will help the sign 'shine on' for many more years to come as we grow the Schneiders brand across Canada."

The iconic sign now features more reliable temperature and time indicators. The electronic message board and lights surrounding the "Dutch Girl" brand image have been replaced and are longer-lasting and more energy efficient, cutting down electricity consumption by nearly 50 per cent.

Throughout the years, many consumers have asked to share a message on the sign. To coincide with the unveiling and in celebration of the sign's 52 years, Schneiders® is launching a Facebook promotion until September 11, 2013, asking consumers to submit personal messages for a chance to appear on the sign. Fifty-two consumers will be selected; their personal message will be displayed on the sign and they will also receive a digital rendition of the sign with their message and a bonus surprise gift for their participation. Visit www.facebook.com/schneiders for more information and to enter the promotion.

Schneiders® Sign Fun Facts

• 6.2 million people view the sign every month.
• Time and temperature displays were not available when the sign was originally erected in 1961; they were added in 1971 along with the Dutch Girl image,
• When the sign was refurbished in 1980, local dignitaries were photographed snipping a string of wieners, in place of the usual 'ribbon cutting' ceremony.
• Locally, the sign is affectionately known as the "Wiener Beacon", representing the long-standing heritage of the Schneiders® history in the region and historically acting as a flight beacon for pilots flying into Toronto Pearson International airport.

Maple Leaf Foods Inc. is a leading food company headquartered in Toronto, Canada. The Company employs approximately 19,500 people at its operations across Canada and in the United States, the United Kingdom and Asia. The Company had sales of $4.9 billion in 2012.

Image with caption: "The Schneiders "Wiener Beacon's" new look. (CNW Group/Maple Leaf Foods Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130808_C4955_PHOTO_EN_29733.jpg

Image with caption: ""A look back at the Schneiders 401 sign's different looks". (CNW Group/Maple Leaf Foods Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130808_C4955_PHOTO_EN_29735.jpg

SOURCE: Maple Leaf Foods Inc.