Lincoln International's Business Services Group Represents H.I.G. Capital, LLC in the Sale of HALO Branded Solutions, Inc. to Compass Diversified Trust
CHICAGO, Mar. 13, 2007 Lincoln International, a leading mid-market investment bank, today announced the sale of HALO Branded Solutions, Inc (HALO), a portfolio company of Miami based private equity firm H.I.G. Capital, LLC, (H.I.G.), to Compass Diversified Trust (NASDAQ: CODI), a publicly traded holding company. Lincoln International acted as the exclusive financial advisor to HALO and H.I.G. in the $62.5 million transaction.
Founded in 1952, and based in Sterling, Ill., HALO is a leading value-added distributor of customized promotional products. HALO's account executives work with a diverse group of companies around the world to develop innovative products and concepts to communicate a logo, brand or marketing message to a targeted audience. HALO provides its more than 30,000 customers with a one-stop-shop resource for design, sourcing, management and fulfillment across all categories of its customers' promotional products needs.
Lincoln International has long-standing relationships with both H.I.G. and HALO, having represented HALO in its sale to H.I.G. in 2003. HALO's management team, led by CEO Marc Simon, has done a terrific job developing and executing a strategic growth plan to establish the company as the premier promotional products company in North America, said Robert Brown, Managing Director at Lincoln International.
Lincoln International's business services industry group worked closely with HALO's senior management team to provide strategic counsel and to facilitate the deal throughout all phases of this transaction, said Marc Simon, Chief Executive Officer at HALO. Without Lincoln's smart thinking, hard work and great care, this deal would not have come to fruition. No one could have done a better job.
About Lincoln International
Lincoln International specializes in merger and acquisition advisory services and private capital raising for leading organizations involved in mid-market transactions. With offices in Chicago, Frankfurt, Los Angeles, New York, and Paris, and strategic partnerships with China Everbright and other partner firms in Asia, Lincoln International has strong local knowledge and contacts in the key global economies. The organization provides clients with senior-level attention, in-depth industry expertise, and integrated resources. By being focused and independent, Lincoln International serves its clients without conflicts of interest. More information about Lincoln International can be obtained at www.lincolninternational.com.
About Compass Diversified Trust
CODI was formed to acquire and manage a group of profitable middle market businesses that are headquartered in North America. CODI provides public investors with an opportunity to participate in the ownership and growth of companies which have historically been owned by private equity firms, wealthy individuals or families. CODI's disciplined approach to its target market provides opportunities to methodically purchase attractive businesses at values that are accretive to its shareholders. For sellers of businesses, CODI's unique structure allows CODI to acquire businesses efficiently with no financing contingencies and, following acquisition, to provide its companies with substantial access to growth capital.
Upon acquisition, CODI works with the executive teams of its subsidiary companies to identify and capitalize on opportunities to grow those companies' earnings and cash flows. These cash flows support distributions to CODI shareholders, which are intended to be steady and growing over the long term.
About H.I.G. Capital, LLC
H.I.G. Capital, LLC is a leading private equity and venture capital investment firm with more than $3 billion of equity capital under management. Based in Miami, and with offices in Atlanta, Boston, and San Francisco, H.I.G. specializes in providing capital to small and medium-sized companies with attractive growth potential. H.I.G. invests in management-led buyouts and recapitalizations of profitable and well managed manufacturing or service businesses. H.I.G. also has extensive experience with financial restructurings and operational turnarounds. Since its founding, H.I.G. has completed more than 75 transactions. The firm currently manages a portfolio of more than 40 companies with combined revenues in excess of $5 billion. For more information, please refer to the H.I.G. website at www.higcapital.com
