LOS ANGELES, January 14, 2008 – Marlin Equity Partners, LLC is pleased to announce the acquisition of Chatterbox International, a leading manufacturer of scrapbooking supplies. Chatterbox will be integrated with Ultra*Pro, a current Marlin portfolio company and owner of the 7gypsies scrapbooking brand. The combination of the Chatterbox and 7gypsies scrapbooking businesses now places Ultra*Pro among the leaders within the multi-billion dollar scrapbooking category across both independent and mass market channels.
Adam Lerner, CEO of Ultra*Pro, comments, “We are very excited to add another premier scrapbooking brand to our portfolio. We are looking forward to being able to offer an incredible array of new products for both brands at Craft and Hobby Association (CHA) Winter 2008.”
“We are very pleased to expand our footprint in the attractive scrapbooking market with such a strong brand,” stated George Kase, a Principal with Marlin Equity Partners.
Chatterbox International has been a leading brand in scrapbooking for 10 years and is known for exciting product designs and kits that address the needs of scrapbookers of all interests and abilities. Both the Chatterbox and 7gypsies brands will be headquartered in Commerce, CA. Its products can be found in leading independent and mass market scrapbooking retailers across the U.S., Europe, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand and have been profiled in leading publications including Martha Stewart LIVING, Better Homes & Gardens, Creating Keepsakes and Making Memories.
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. Since October 2005, Marlin Equity Partners has successfully completed the acquisitions of Intuitive Manufacturing Systems, Relevant Business Systems, SupplyWorks, XKO Software, CMS Software, Aldon Computer Group, Ultra*Pro, Ronco, Hanover Accessories, Stravina and Chatterbox. For more information, please visit www.marlinequity.com.
About Ultra*Pro
Ultra*Pro is a leading manufacturer and marketer of consumer packaged goods including investment protection products for sports and gaming collectibles, photo albums and scrapbooking supplies marketed under the 7gypsies and Chatterbox names. Additionally, Ultra*Pro, through its Hanover Accessories subsidiary, manufactures and distributes a broad line of jewelry, hair care, fashion pet accessories and name personalized gifts and novelties. 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.