Morgan Stanley did not report what its proceeds would be for itsstake in the firm. The two shares equal 100%, giving Yucaipa fullownership. The transaction is expected to close imminently.

Vornado did report a $110 million gain on the sale of thecompany, which had been valued at $1.52 billion, before debt andother obligations. Citi and Morgan Stanley advised Vornado andMorgan Stanely Real Estate on the deal. Morgan Stanley declined tocomment to GlobeSt.com about the transaction. AmeriCold referredGlobeSt.com to Vornado for comment, which did not return calls intime for deadline.

An Atlanta provider of temperature-controlled food distributionservices, AmeriCold is the largest third party company in thisspace. Transactionsincluded a 2006 agreement to acquire four refrigerated warehousesfrom ConAgra Foods Inc., and to lease a fifth facility for $190million: $152 million in cash to ConAgra, and $38 million for thelease of the fifth facility.

Yucaipa Cos. has had its hand in AmeriCold for several years,maintaining a 20% interest in the company. Outside of itsinvestment in AmeriCold, the firm, founded by billionaire RonBurkle, has made related investments in the distribution/logistics,manufacturing and food industries. These have included Food4Less,Smitty's Supermarkets, Dominick's, Ralph's Grocery Co., Smith Foodand Drug, Fred Meyer and Golden State Food and AllianceEntertainment.