LOS ANGELES, June 1, 2007 – Marlin Equity Partners today announced the acquisition of Ultra*Pro, the leading manufacturer and marketer of storage products for sports and gaming collectibles, photographs and multimedia products. Ultra*Pro also manufactures and distributes a leading line of scrapbooking tools and supplies, marketed under the 7gypsies brand name.
George Kase, a Principal with Marlin Equity Partners, said, “We are very excited about Ultra*Pro’s innovative products, market-leading position and strong distributor and mass market relationships. This is the first of what we expect will be several acquisitions as we execute to our vision of building out Ultra*Pro into a global, diversified consumer products company.”
Adam Lerner joins the existing senior management team and will lead Ultra*Pro as its new Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Lerner has over 12 years of experience in the consumer products industry, mostly notably as Executive Vice President of MPC.
David McGovern, Managing Partner of Marlin Equity Partners, states, “We are confident that the addition of Adam Lerner to the management team at Ultra*Pro will have an immediate positive impact on the company. Adam brings to Ultra*Pro extensive sales, marketing and supply chain management expertise having spent the last decade selling direct to consumer, business and “big box” retail, as well as deftly navigating the challenges and opportunities posed by Asian-based and outsourced supply chains.”
Mr. Lerner added, “Ultra*Pro has all of the ingredients we look for in a platform acquisition – they are a niche market leader with a world class management team and a scalable global supply chain infrastructure. With the support and backing of Marlin Equity Partners, we expect to accelerate the market share gains Ultra*Pro is experiencing in each of its target markets, notably the sports and gaming collectibles market, scrapbooking, and photofinishing.”
About Marlin Equity Partners, LLC
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 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. Marlin Equity Partners has successfully completed the acquisitions of Intuitive Manufacturing Systems, Relevant Business Systems, SupplyWorks, XKO Software, CMS Software, Aldon Computer Group and Ultra*Pro. For more information, please visit www.marlinequity.com.
About Ultra*Pro
Ultra*Pro is a leading manufacturer and marketer of storage products for sports and gaming collectibles, photographs and multi-media products. Ultra*Pro also manufactures and distributes a leading line of scrapbooking tools and supplies, marketed under the 7gypsies brand name. Founded in 1952, Ultra*Pro is based in Commerce, California. For more information, please visit www.ultrapro.com.
For additional information, please contact Peter Spasov at (310) 364-0100 or via e-mail at pspasov@marlinequity.com.