LOS ANGELES, May 8, 2009 – Marlin Equity Partners is pleased to announce that it has acquired three software operating units from Requisite Technology, Inc. (formerly doing business as Click Commerce, Inc.), a subsidiary of Illinois Tool Works, Inc. (NYSE:ITW). The transaction included the Service Network Solutions (“SNS”) business, the Research and Healthcare Solutions (“RHS”) business, the Contract Service and Management (“CSM”) business and the rights to the Click Commerce, Inc. name. The SNS and RHS businesses will each become standalone platforms and the CSM business will be integrated with Emptoris, an existing Marlin portfolio company.
SNS provides software solutions to help service professionals effectively manage the complexity of aftermarket service and logistics networks. Customers include Fortune 1000 companies in manufacturing, high technology and aerospace & defense industries. RHS provides automated research administration and compliance software to leading academic medical centers and research institutions in North America. CSM provides the market’s most widely-used contingent and professional services procurement solution.
Management of the business units includes seasoned executives with expertise in key vertical markets as well as software, business process management and automation technologies. Dave Barboro, formerly General Manager of SNS, will continue as President of SNS. Nick Stier, formerly Senior Vice President of RHS, was named President of RHS.
“SNS will continue to enhance value for our customers with world class supply chain and aftermarket service software and consulting services” said Mr. Barboro. “With the backing of Marlin Equity Partners, our team is excited to penetrate new markets across a broader field of applications.”
Mr. Stier added, “as our research customers continue to benefit from solutions that accelerate and strengthen research funding processes and compliance oversight, we’ll be able to draw on additional support from Marlin to move our business forward into new strategic areas.”
Bill Atkinson, Technology Operating Partner at Marlin Equity Partners, stated, “SNS and RHS now have the dedicated resources and strategic focus to pursue industries in which its software and consulting services can help companies better compete. Customers can rely on SNS for solutions that optimize inventory levels across their networks, streamline operational processes, and grant greater visibility throughout the supply chain, while RHS customers can further leverage automated research administration and compliance systems to expand their research efforts.”
The CSM business was acquired by Emptoris, a global leader in supply and contract management solutions. “The acquisition will expand Emptoris’ solution footprint, give the company access to an expanded roster of Global 2000 customers and solidify the Company’s position as the market leader in the most valuable and complex aspects of Supply & Contract Management,” said Avner Schneur, President and Chief Executive Officer of Emptoris. Emptoris issued a separate press release providing further detail of its acquisition of the CSM division of the new Click Commerce.
About Marlin Equity Partners
Marlin Equity Partners is a Los Angeles, California-based private investment firm focused on providing corporate parents, shareholders and other stakeholders with tailored solutions that meet their business and liquidity needs in special situations. Marlin Equity Partners invests in businesses across multiple industries that are in the process of undergoing varying degrees of operational, financial or market-driven change where our capital base, industry relationships and extensive network of operational resources will significantly strengthen a company’s outlook and enhance value. Since 2005, Marlin Equity Partners, through its group of funds and related companies, has successfully completed over 25 acquisitions across a variety of industries. For more information, please visit www.marlinequity.com.
About Emptoris
Emptoris is a leading global provider of enterprise supply and contract management software. Headquartered in Burlington, Massachusetts, Emptoris’ software and service solutions are used by Global 2000 companies in more than 75 countries and across a wide variety of industries. Customers include American Express, Boeing, ConocoPhillips, GlaxoSmithKline, Kraft, Motorola, Owens Corning, Syngenta and Vodafone. Emptoris is consistently recognized by independent research firms as providing the market’s most robust and proven supply and contract management software solutions.
For additional information, please contact Peter Spasov at (310) 364-0100 or via e-mail at pspasov@marlinequity.com.