Firm Acquires Majority Stake in Emptoris; Commits Additional Capital to Fund Organic Growth and Expansion; and Allocates Funds for Future Strategic Acquisitions
LOS ANGELES, January 20, 2009 – Marlin Equity Partners is pleased to announce that it has made a significant capital investment in Emptoris, Inc., 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. Emptoris is consistently recognized by independent research firms as providing the market’s most robust and proven supply and contract management software solutions.
According to Avner Schneur, Chief Executive Officer of Emptoris, “Marlin and Emptoris have a shared vision for investment in the development of world-class solutions, and believe that this commitment will help drive further market penetration and growth for the company. I am particularly excited and proud that a late-stage investor such as Marlin, with specific experience in fast-growing midmarket technology companies, has invested so significantly in the company. Emptoris’ position as a leader in enterprise supply and contract management software will be greatly enhanced by this partnership and investment.”
“Emptoris has a track record of success in a fast-growing market, a healthy roster of blue-chip customers, award-winning and marketproven solutions, and world-class management and software development teams. Given our investment focus, expertise in enterprise software and financial capacity, we are confident we will bring the experience and resources that Emptoris needs to achieve its longterm growth objectives,” stated Nick Kaiser, Partner of Marlin Equity Partners.
According to one recently published independent research brief, “While other vendors are seeing sales halt or slow significantly, Emptoris has continued to increase its new client list and has a customer retention rate greater than 90%. In fact, Emptoris grew revenue an impressive 20% in 2008.”
Marlin Equity Partners, through its group of funds, acquired a majority equity position in Emptoris, Inc., and becomes the largest investor in the company, in partnership with Emptoris’ management and employees. Marlin’s investment in the company was structured to include a buy-out of the existing venture capital investors, extinguish certain liabilities, and fund an additional $20 million in working capital to ensure the company’s continued growth, all without increasing the company’s level of debt. Additionally, Marlin has allocated a significant amount of capital to fund future strategic acquisitions.
“With significant financial backing from Marlin Equity Partners, we plan to aggressively expand our base of Global 2000 customers and continue our innovation and investment in our award-winning supply and contract management solutions,” said Avner Schneur, Chief Executive Officer of Emptoris. “Marlin’s investment strengthens Emptoris financially, and provides the funds to grow, both organically and, where it makes strategic sense, via acquisition.”
“Marlin intends to ensure Emptoris’ continued solution and market leadership with the provision of capital for both organic growth and allocating funds for future strategic acquisitions,” added Kaiser.
For more information, please visit www.emptoris.com.
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. Marlin Equity Partners invests in businesses across multiple industries that are in the process of undergoing varying degrees of operational, financial or marketdriven 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 20 acquisitions across a variety of industries. For more information, please visit www.marlinequity.com.
For additional information, please contact Peter Spasov at (310) 364-0100 or via e-mail at pspasov@marlinequity.com.