Panelist in Modern Materials Handling Magazine's Webinar, "Industry Outlook 2008"

Boston, MA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 02/08/2008 -- Michael Howell, Managing Director and head of Downer & Company's Materials Handling Practice Team, explores M&A activity during the recent Industry Outlook 2008 webinar, presented by Modern Materials Handling magazine. The webinar was moderated by Tom Andel, Editor-in-Chief of Modern Materials Handling.

You can view and listen to the presentation by visiting the following URL: http://event.on24.com/eventRegistration/EventLobbyServlet?target=lobby.jsp&eventid=100018&sessionid=1&key=5347267F12FCA4692D1B67A2C213A8CF&eventuserid=14415072

Michael Howell is responsible for leading Downer & Company's Materials Handling & Logistics practice group and has completed twelve Materials Handling transactions in the past five years, the most recent of which was the acquisition of Constructor Finland by Altor Equity Partners. He also has extensive experience in the areas of manufacturing, B2B services, consumer products, and defense related services.

About Downer & Company
Downer & Co. is an independent, global investment bank offering its clients a high level of personal attention coupled with more than 30 years of international execution experience. With offices in five (5) countries and on three (3) continents, we have the unique ability to consistently identify the most appropriate buyers worldwide and to uncover "hidden" acquisition targets. Downer & Co. combines the global reach of a bulge-bracket investment bank with the personal touch of a boutique. For further information, visit http://www.downer.com.

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Acquisition underscores company’s growth strategy involving organic and sustainable agricultural products for professional plant care

Boston, MA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 01/21/2008 -- Downer & Company, an international investment banking firm specializing in middle-market corporate acquisitions and divestitures, is pleased to announce that Novozymes A/S has acquired Philom Bios, Inc., of Canada, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Novozymes Biologicals Holding A/S. Philom Bios, based in Saskatoon, is a world leading inoculants company focused on the development, manufacture and marketing of natural microbial products for commercial agriculture which decrease the amount of chemical fertilizer typically required. Philom Bios is a Canadian public company. The transaction closed on December 10, 2007 for a total consideration of CAD 25.6m.

This marks the sixth acquisition Downer & Company has completed for Novozymes in the past six years. Previously, Downer & Company advised Novozymes Biologicals on five acquisitions between July 2001 and June 2003 for its developing industrial microorganism business: Sybron Biochemicals in July 2001, George A. Jeffreys in June 2002, InterBio in July 2002, Semco Biosciences, Inc., in January 2003 and the June 2003 purchase of Roots, Inc.

"We are proud to continue to assist Novozymes with the research and execution of strategic acquisitions more than seven years after our partnership first began," said Joseph Downing, Managing Director with Downer & Co. "We continue to scour the globe, seeking the perfect acquisition—or series of acquisitions—which will enable our clients to grow and prosper."

"We are committed to establishing Novozymes as a leader in the sustainable agriculture industry, providing earth-friendly alternatives to traditional pesticides and fertilizers," Novozymes Biologicals' President Ted Melnik said in a company statement. "This merger reinforces that commitment." Philom Bios will become the cornerstone of Novozymes' new BioAgriculture business and will continue to operate out of Saskatoon, Canada. Novozymes Biologicals is headquartered in Salem, Virgina.

About Novozymes
Novozymes is the world leader in bio-innovation. Together with customers across a broad array of industries, Novozymes creates tomorrow's industrial bio-solutions, improving its customers' business and the use of our planet's resources. With over 700 products used in 130 countries, Novozymes' bio-innovations improve industrial performance and safeguard the world's resources by offering superior and sustainable solutions for tomorrow's ever-changing marketplace. For further company information, visit http://www.novozymes.com

About Philom Bios, Inc.
Philom Bios is a world leading inoculant company with over 70 employees across North America in research, manufacturing, marketing and management and in its joint-venture operations in Australia. Headquartered in Saskatoon, SK, Philom Bios is a Canadian public company serving the needs of farmers with high-value inoculants. For over 25 years, Philom Bios has been committed to farmers through a dynamic partnership with distributors and leading retailers. Read more at http://www.philombios.ca

About Downer & Company
Downer & Co. is an independent, global investment bank offering its clients a high level of personal attention coupled with more than 30 years of international execution experience. With offices in five (5) countries and on three (3) continents, we have the unique ability to consistently identify the most appropriate buyers worldwide and to uncover "hidden" acquisition targets. Downer & Co. combines the global reach of a bulge-bracket investment bank with the personal touch of a boutique. For further information, visit hhtp://www.downer.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Boston, MA and Frankfurt, Germany -- (ReleaseWire) -- 01/21/2008 -- Downer & Company, an international investment banking firm specializing in mid-market cross-border acquisition and divestiture advisory services, is pleased to announce that the company has advised PlasmaSelect AG on the divestiture of the generic injectibles business of DeltaSelect GmbH to an affiliate of Actavis Group of Iceland. The announced purchase price for this transaction is well above €70m, which represents an almost 3x sales multiple based on expected sales for 2007. Downer & Company served as the sole financial advisor to PlasmaSelect AG on this transaction.

DeltaSelect GmbH, a 100% subsidiary of PlasmaSelect AG, is a leading provider of infusion solutions and injectable pharmaceuticals for the hospital care market. DeltaSelect has sold its national and international generic injectable pharmaceuticals business to a special purpose vehicle which is intended to become part of the Actavis Group. Actavis Group, which went private in August 2007, is one of the world's leading players in the development, manufacture, and sale of generic pharmaceuticals.

This divestiture marks the third transaction Downer & Company has completed for PlasmaSelect. In 2003 and 2004, Downer & Company advised PlasmaSelect on two acquisitions which formed this now divested injectable generic business division. This transaction is the fifth completed Pharma deal in Germany deal since the inception of Downer & Company's Frankfurt office in 2003.

The transaction team was led by Frank Merkel (Director, Frankfurt) and was supported by Raymond Morin (Associate, Frankfurt) and Marion Goesweiner (Analyst, Frankfurt).

About PlasmaSelect
Visit PlasmaSelect on the web at http://www.plasmaselect.de.

About Downer & Company
Since its inception in 1975, Downer & Company, LLC, has gained distinction as a leading middle-market M&A firm focused on the execution of acquisition and divestiture mandates for international and domestic corporations and private equity firms. Downer & Company is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, and has offices in Paris, Dublin, Frankfurt and Sydney. Downer & Company's corporate headquarters are located at 60 State Street, Boston, MA 02109. For further information, visit www.downer.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Boston, MA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 09/14/2007 -- Downer & Company, an international investment banking firm specializing in mid-market cross-border acquisition and divestiture advisory services, is pleased to announce that Aker ASA has signed an agreement to sell Aker Material Handling to Altor Fund II, which is managed by Altor Equity Partners AB, a leading Scandinavian private equity firm. The transaction is subject to approval by relevant competition authorities and is expected to close in early October 2007. The transaction value was not disclosed.

Aker ASA ("Aker") is one of the largest publicly traded companies on the Oslo Stock Exchange. Aker's business mission is to create and develop commercially viable businesses, improve existing business enterprises, and sell businesses when Aker concludes that new owners can better realize the potential of those businesses. Aker's other business activities include oil & gas services and exploration, shipping, and fishing. Aker Material Handling is the third largest provider of industrial storage solutions and largest provider of commercial storage solutions in Europe. Aker Material Handling was formed through a 1999 merger of the Constructor Group and Dexion.

"Significant consolidation is taking place in the industrial and commercial storage segments of the Material Handling industry," said Michael Howell, Vice President and Material Handling practice leader with Downer & Company. "Consolidation of the North American and European storage markets, which to a large extent is being driven by private equity, will enable industry players to achieve economies of scale, broaden their geographic reach, and provide more comprehensive solutions to their customers," he continued. "This transaction further exemplifies Downer & Company's extensive expertise in the Material Handling industry and we look forward to providing first rate M&A services to this dynamic market as the consolidation continues," he concluded.

Downer & Company has firmly established itself as one of the preferred advisors to global Material Handling and Logistics companies. This transaction is the third industrial storage transaction Downer & Company has completed in the last eighteen months. Earlier this year, Downer & Company assisted American Capital on the sale of its portfolio company, Kingway Inca-Clymer, to Unarco Material Handling, Inc. Downer & Company also sold Interlake Material Handling, then owned by Brambles North America, to United Fixtures Company, Inc., a portfolio company of Wynnchurch Capital in April 2006.

Downer & Company's international team for the Aker transaction was led by Michael Howell (Vice President, Boston), and Frank Merkel (Director, Frankfurt), and was supported by Chris Donegan (Associate, Boston), Raymond Morin (Associate, Frankfurt), Michaela Wieser (Analyst, Frankfurt) and Maximilian Kreher (Analyst, Frankfurt).

About Downer & Company
Since its inception in 1975, Downer & Company, LLC, has gained distinction as a leading middle-market M&A firm focused on the execution of acquisition and divestiture mandates for international and domestic corporations and private equity firms. Downer & Company is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, and has offices in Paris, Dublin, Frankfurt and Sydney. Downer & Company's corporate headquarters are located at 60 State Street, Boston, MA 02109. For further information, visit www.downer.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Boston, MA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 08/08/2007 -- Downer & Company, an international investment banking firm specializing in mid-market cross-border acquisition and divestiture advisory services, is pleased to announce that ParexLahabra, Inc., the leading Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems (EIFS) and architectural coatings manufacturer in the United States, has acquired some assets of Q.E.P. Stone Holdings, Inc. Downer & Company acted as financial advisor to Parex Group on this transaction which closed on July 17, 2007.

Parex Group, the French parent company of ParexLahabra, is an international manufacturer of premixed mortars for the construction industry. Q.E.P. Stone Holdings manufactures, markets and distributes specialty tools and flooring-related products for the global home improvement market. The assets acquired by ParexLahabra include manufacturing plants based in Fort Pierce, FL, and Dalton, GA.

"We are pleased to have uncovered this acquisition opportunity for ParexLahabra," remarked Karine Curtis Osorovitz, Managing Director with Downer & Company. "The Q.E.P. plants will complement Lahabra's existing waterproofing and thin set mortar product offerings. Furthermore, this transaction demonstrates the ability of Downer & Company to realize strategic, international acquisitions for a French company," she concluded.

Ms. Curtis Osorovitz (Managing Director, Paris) assisted Parex Group with the acquisition.

About Downer & Company
Since its inception in 1975, Downer & Company, LLC, has gained distinction as a leading middle-market M&A firm focused on the execution of acquisition and divestiture mandates for international and domestic corporations and private equity firms. Downer & Company is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, and has offices in Paris, Dublin, Frankfurt and Sydney. Downer & Company received an award for transacting the "International Cross-Border Deal of 2004" and was recognized as the top Investment Banking Firm of 2003 by The Mergers & Acquisitions Advisor. Downer & Company's corporate headquarters are located at 60 State Street, Boston, MA 02109. For further information, visit www.downer.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Boston, MA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 07/31/2007 -- Downer & Company, an international investment banking firm specializing in mid-market cross-border acquisition and divestiture advisory services, is pleased to announce that Wellman, Inc., has sold Wellman International Limited ("WIL")–its European fibers and recycling businesses–to Aurelius AG of Germany for $38 million. Downer & Company acted as sole financial advisor to Wellman on this transaction which closed on July 26, 2007.

WIL is Europe's largest recycler of post-consumer PET bottles and the leading European producer of polyester staple fibers ("PSF"). With headquarters and a PSF production facility in Mullagh, Ireland, and recycling plants in the Netherlands and France, WIL has the capacity to produce approximately 185 million pounds of fiber primarily using post-consumer recycled materials. The fibers are used in a wide range of applications including personal hygiene, upholstered furniture, loose-filled bed products, car interior trim and industrial uses.

Thomas M. Duff, Wellman's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said in a company statement, "The sale of this business reflects our strategy to focus on our U.S. chemical-based business."

Dick Budden, Managing Director of WIL, stated, "We are pleased with the result of Wellman's investigation of strategic alternatives for our business. With the support of AURELIUS we shall continue providing first class products and service to all our customers, and have the resources to expand our business, both in fibers and in recycled materials for other applications."

Jeff Robards, Vice President with Downer & Company, added, "Downer's international capabilities helped Wellman to manage not only the complexities of divesting a foreign operation, but also to effectively coordinate the interaction with multiple potential buyers located across the globe, including European, Asian, and North American firms. Our proven cross-border divestiture process ensured a positive outcome for Wellman with minimum disruption to WIL and its employees."

Downer & Company's senior international transaction team for the Wellman divestiture included Jeff Robards (Vice President, Boston), Emmanuel Wydooghe (Director, Paris), Philip Smith (Director, Dublin) and Wade Aust (Managing Director, Boston). Additional team members included Loren Heinold (Associate, Boston), Michael Schenck (Analyst, Paris), Nicolas Vienot (Analyst, Paris) and Charles Chevallier (Associate, Paris).

About Aurelius AG
AURELIUS AG, Munich (www.aureliusinvest.com) acquires mid-sized companies and corporate spin-offs which are no longer part of the core business of the previous owner. AURELIUS acquires companies even when they are in difficult and complex situations and actively grows and develops them.

About Wellman, Inc.
Wellman, Inc. manufactures and markets high-quality polyester products, including PermaClear® brand PET (polyethylene terephthalate) packaging resin and Fortrel® brand polyester fiber. For more information, visit www.wellmaninc.com.

About Downer & Company
Since its inception in 1975, Downer & Company, LLC, has gained distinction as a leading middle-market M&A firm focused on the execution of acquisition and divestiture mandates for international and domestic corporations and private equity firms. Downer & Company is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, and has offices in Paris, Dublin, Frankfurt and Sydney. Downer & Company received an award for transacting the "International Cross-Border Deal of 2004" and was recognized as the top Investment Banking Firm of 2003 by The Mergers & Acquisitions Advisor. Downer & Company's corporate headquarters are located at 60 State Street, Boston, MA 02109. For further information, visit www.downer.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Boston, MA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 04/11/2007 -- Downer & Company, an international investment banking firm specializing in mid-market cross-border acquisition and divestiture advisory services, is pleased to announce that American Capital Strategies Ltd. (Nasdaq:ACAS) has completed the sale of its portfolio company, Kingway Inca-Clymer Holdings, Inc. ("Kingway"), to Unarco Material Handling, Inc. Downer & Company acted as sole financial advisor to Kingway Inca-Clymer on this transaction which closed on March 30, 2007.

Kingway was formed by American Capital Strategies through a roll-up of three leading regional rack companies: Kingway Material Handling in Atlanta, GA, Inca Metal Products in Dallas, TX, and Clymer Material Handling, near Toledo, OH. Unarco Material Handling, which is based in Springfield, TN, is owned by The Renco Group Inc.—a New York-based holding company. The combined company, to be operated under the Unarco name, is now firmly established as the second largest pallet rack manufacturer in the United States with the capability to produce an entire range of warehouse storage solutions.

This transaction is the second industrial racking transaction Downer & Company has completed in the last twelve months. In April 2006, Downer & Company sold Interlake Material Handling, owned by Brambles North America, Inc., to United Fixtures Company, Inc., a portfolio company of Wynnchurch Capital Ltd. Downer & Company has established itself as one of the leading advisors to Material Handling and Logistics Industry. "Significant M&A activity is taking place in the Material Handling Industry which has seen nearly a doubling of the number of transactions in each of the last two years," said Michael Howell, Vice President and Material Handling practice leader with Downer & Company. "We have been active participants in the consolidation of the racking segment of the market which will strengthen rack manufacturers, eliminate excess capacity and improve long-term market conditions."

This is also the second divestiture Downer & Company has completed for American Capital in the past six months, having assisted on the sale of Precitech, Inc., to Ametek, Inc., in November 2006. Precitech, based in Keene, NH, is a leading designer and manufacturer of specialty ultra-precision diamond machining systems for the nanotechnology, military, defense, and ophthalmic markets.

The Downer & Company transaction team for the Kingway engagement was led by Mike Howell (Vice President) and included Ed Raffoni (Associate), Loren Heinold (Associate), Catherine Ossikine (Analyst) and Joseph Downing (Managing Director).

About Downer & Company
Since its inception in 1975, Downer & Company, LLC, has gained distinction as a leading middle-market M&A firm focused on the execution of acquisition and divestiture mandates for international and domestic corporations and private equity firms. Downer & Company is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, and has offices in Paris, Dublin, Frankfurt and Sydney. Downer & Company received an award for transacting the "International Cross-Border Deal of 2004" and was recognized as the top Investment Banking Firm of 2003 by The Mergers & Acquisitions Advisor. Downer & Company's corporate headquarters are located at 60 State Street, Boston, MA 02109. For further information, visit www.downer.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Boston, MA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 04/02/2007 -- Downer & Company, LLC, an international investment banking firm specializing in middle-market cross-border acquisitions and divestitures, is pleased to announce five recent additions to the firm's M&A advisory team. The company welcomes Wenchao Su (Analyst, Boston), Michaela Wieser (Analyst, Frankfurt), Nicolas Vienot (Analyst, Paris), Julien Puaux (Analyst, Paris) and Alexander Munnell (Analyst, Boston). The new employees hail from all corners of the world, complementing and demonstrating Downer & Company's multinational corporate culture.

"We wish to extend a warm welcome to the newest members of our execution team," said Arthur Gottlieb, Managing Director at Downer & Company. "The firm recently recorded our third straight year of record revenues and profits and we fully expect these qualified professionals to play an important role in supporting our goal to remain the advisor of choice for private equity and corporate clients conducting international transactions," concluded Mr. Gottlieb.

Before joining Downer & Company, Wenchao Su worked at Energy Security Analysis, Inc., conducting fundamental analyses on the global oil markets. Previously, he was a consultant at the Capital Markets Group of FINCA International, where he was involved in financing strategies for FINCA affiliates. Mr. Su holds an M.A. in International Studies from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies with concentrations in American Foreign Policy and International Finance, an M.A. in Finance from Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, and a B.A. in International Finance from Nanjing University. He is also a graduate of the Hopkins-Nanjing Center for Chinese and American Studies. Mr. Su is fluent in English as well as his native Chinese.

Michaela Wieser rejoined the Frankfurt office as an Analyst in January 2007. Ms. Wieser, an Austrian native, accepted an internship position with the firm in August 2006. Prior to that she had completed several internships including one with the European Union in Brussels and various international industrial companies such as Mahle and Infineon Technologies. Ms. Wieser graduated with a degree in Business Administration from Karl-Franzens-University in Graz, Austria. In addition to her native German, Ms. Wieser is fluent in English, Spanish, Italian and has a basic knowledge of Russian.

Nicolas Vienot joined Downer & Company in January 2007. Previously, Mr. Vienot was an analyst at Bionest Partners, where he was involved in IPOs and buy-side and sell-side mandates in the Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology industries. Prior to that, he completed a six-month internship in the ECM department of Societe Generale. Mr. Vienot is a graduate of the Institut National des Telecommunications (INT) and received a master's degree in Finance from ESCP-EAP. In addition to his native French, Mr. Vienot speaks fluent English.

Julien Puaux was an Equity Research intern at Credit Agricole Asset Management in London prior to accepting a position with Downer & Company in March 2007, Previously he completed a long-term internship with HSBC in Paris, where he gained experience in their M&A department. Mr. Puaux received his Master's Degree in Management from EM LYON and also holds a Master's Degree in Business Law. In addition to his native French, Mr. Puaux speaks English and German.

Alexander Munnell joined Downer & Company as a full-time Analyst in February 2007. Mr. Munnell spent two previous summers interning in the firm's Boston and Paris offices while completing his bachelor's degree at Vanderbilt University. He has a BS in Engineering Science and is fluent in English and French.

About Downer & Company
For thirty years, Downer & Company, LLC, has gained distinction as a leading middle-market M&A firm focused on the execution of acquisition and divestiture mandates for international and domestic corporations and private equity firms. Downer & Company is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, and has offices in Paris, Dublin, Frankfurt and Sydney. Downer & Company received an award for transacting the "International Cross-Border Deal of 2004" and was recognized as the top Investment Banking Firm of 2003 by The Mergers & Acquisitions Advisor. Downer & Company's corporate headquarters are located at 60 State Street, Boston, MA 02109. For further information, visit www.downer.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Boston, MA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 03/30/2007 -- Downer & Company, LLC, an international investment banking firm specializing in middle-market cross border acquisitions and divestitures, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Emmanuel K. Wydooghe to Director in the firm's Paris office, effective immediately. In his new role, Mr. Wydooghe will continue to advise clients worldwide on strategic merger & acquisition programs in a large range of sectors including food ingredients, childcare services, healthcare services, and electronics.

"We are delighted to promote Emmanuel to the position of Director," said Ashley Rountree, Downer & Company Managing Director, Europe. "Emmanuel has risen through the ranks of our firm, moving from Analyst to Director in just nine years. He has made and continues to make outstanding contributions to the firm, including his recent work advising ABC Learning on the acquisition of Busy Bees from Gresham Private Equity," concluded Mr. Rountree. Mr. Wydooghe also led the transaction team responsible for Barco NV's recent divestiture of its Electronic Manufacturing Services and Prints activities.

Mr. Wydooghe worked in various industrial environments prior to embarking on his international advisory career with Downer & Company in 1998. He began his career as a commercial manager for UCB Transpac, an international company specialized in the manufacture of flexible packaging films for food and technical applications. He also worked in Hong Kong for IPEM, a Belgian investment company specialized in large-scale infrastructure projects, where he researched and negotiated port development projects in China and South-East-Asia. In addition, he led the start-up of an international technical textiles business.

Mr. Wydooghe holds a bachelor's degree in Commercial Engineering International Business from the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium and received a Master's degree in International Marketing of Advanced Technologies from the Ecole Superieure de Commerce de Grenoble, France. He is also a laureate of the Prince Albert Fund of Belgium. He is fluent in Dutch, French, English and German and has a good working knowledge of Spanish. Mr. Wydooghe resides in Paris, France.

About Downer & Company
Since its inception in 1975, Downer & Company, LLC, has gained distinction as a leading middle-market M&A firm focused on the execution of acquisition and divestiture mandates for international and domestic corporations and private equity firms. Downer & Company is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, and has offices in Paris, Dublin, Frankfurt and Sydney. Downer & Company received an award for transacting the "International Cross-Border Deal of 2004" and was recognized as the top Investment Banking Firm of 2003 by The Mergers & Acquisitions Advisor. Downer & Company's corporate headquarters are located at 60 State Street, Boston, MA 02109. The firm's European headquarters are located at 32 bis boulevard Haussmann, 75009 Paris. For further information, visit www.downer.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Boston, MA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 03/22/2007 -- Downer & Company, an international investment banking firm specializing in mid-market cross-border acquisition and divestiture advisory services, has advised Creative Solutions Group Holdings, Inc., and Heritage Partners, Inc., on the sale of DIAM Europe's First Lien debt to Bayside Capital, an affiliate of private equity firm H.I.G. Capital. The transaction closed on January 30, 2007 and the value was not disclosed.

Headquartered outside of Paris, France, Diam Europe constructs high quality point-of-purchase display systems for premium cosmetic retailers worldwide. Diam Europe offers a complete range of design, production, assembly and repair services. The company's product line features systems such as floor stands, testers, kiosks, counter & window displays and molded wall units.

Bayside Capital is a private investment firm which actively invests in the debt and equity of middle market companies. Bayside is an affiliate of H.I.G. Capital, a leading middle market private investment firm with over $3 Billion of equity capital under management.

The Downer & Company deal team consisted of Ashley Rountree (Managing Director, Europe), Wade Aust (Managing Director), Jeffrey Robards (Vice President), Charles Chevallier (Associate), Jean-Nicolas Bras and Olivier Simon (Analysts).

About Downer & Company
For thirty years, Downer & Company, LLC, has gained distinction as a leading middle-market M&A firm focused on the execution of acquisition and divestiture mandates for international and domestic corporations and private equity firms. Downer & Company is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, and has offices in Paris, Dublin, Frankfurt and Sydney. Downer & Company received an award for transacting the "International Cross-Border Deal of 2004" and was recognized as the top Investment Banking Firm of 2003 by The Mergers & Acquisitions Advisor. Downer & Company's corporate headquarters are located at 60 State Street, Boston, MA 02109. For further information, visit www.downer.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Boston, MA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 03/15/2007 -- Downer & Company, an international investment banking firm specializing in mid-market cross-border acquisition and divestiture advisory services, is pleased to announce that VT Group plc has completed the acquisition of MILCOM Systems Corporation. The transaction closed on February 12, 2007 for a total consideration of $42.5 million dollars.

MILCOM Systems Corporation is a leader in the design, planning, and installation of electronic and communication systems for US Navy ships and submarines. MILCOM employs over 800 people and will join VT Group's VT Services division—a premier U.S. support services provider for the military and government sectors.

This is the second acquisition Downer & Company has completed for VT Services in the past two years. Downer & Company also assisted on the March 2005 acquisition of The Cube Corporation, a specialist in government Facilities Management, Logistics Support Services, Engineering and Construction Services, and Education & Training.

"VT's acquisition of MILCOM Systems highlights Downer & Company's ability to guide large multinational corporations through the successful execution of strategic acquisition programs," remarked Mike Howell, Vice President with Downer & Company. "We were able to overcome MILCOM's unique shareholding situation and successfully bring the transaction to a close," he concluded.

The Downer & Company transaction team for this engagement consisted of R. Wade Aust (Managing Director), Mr. Howell (Vice President), and Nick Lenicheck (Analyst) from the firm's Boston office.

About VT Group plc
VT Group plc is a major support services and shipbuilding company supplying services and products to governments, government agencies and businesses worldwide. The group employs over 10,000 people and has a turnover of approximately 650 million. VT Group's Support Services business consists of four divisions: Defence, US Defense, Communications and Education & Skills. Activities include through-life support and training for all three Armed Services in the UK, US and around the world, critical communication and broadcast services, and services to the education sector in the UK, careers guidance and vocational training. For more information, visit http://www.vtplc.com.

About Downer & Company
Since its inception in 1975, Downer & Company, LLC, has gained distinction as a leading middle-market M&A firm focused on the execution of acquisition and divestiture mandates for international and domestic corporations and private equity firms. Downer & Company is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, and has offices in Paris, Dublin, Frankfurt and Sydney. Downer & Company received an award for transacting the "International Cross-Border Deal of 2004" and was recognized as the top Investment Banking Firm of 2003 by The Mergers & Acquisitions Advisor. Downer & Company's corporate headquarters are located at 60 State Street, Boston, MA 02109. For further information, visit www.downer.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Company divests two activities from within Barco’s Manufacturing Services Division

Boston, MA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 02/07/2007 -- Downer & Company, LLC, an international investment banking firm specializing in middle-market cross border acquisitions and divestitures, is pleased to announce that it has advised Barco, a global technology company headquartered in Kortrijk, Belgium, on the sale of its Electronic Manufacturing Services activity to IPTE and its Prints activity to Elprinta. The activities were part of Barco's Manufacturing Services division. Both transactions closed on January 9 and the values were not disclosed.

IPTE is a market leader in the supply of production equipment for the electronics industry and Electronic Manufacturing is the surface mounting activity of Barco Manufacturing Services. Approximately 75% of €60 million in sales generated by the Electronic Manufacturing activity represented internal sales to Barco's other divisions. The sales agreement stipulates that IPTE will be Barco's leading supplier for surface mounting projects for a period of five years through its manufacturing sites in Belgium (Poperinge) and the Czech Republic (Kladno).

Emmanuel Wydooghe, Vice President with Downer & Company, commented on the transaction, "The acquisition of Barco's Electronic Manufacturing Services activity by IPTE has created a win-win situation for both companies. The transaction will increase Barco's flexibility and subsequently allow Barco to focus on its core business of designing, developing and marketing advanced visualization technologies and products for a large variety of growing markets. With this acquisition, IPTE has increased the footprint of its organization through plants in Belgium, Germany, the Czech Republic and Romania and has raised its technical expertise in the market of PCB assembly services."

The Prints activity of Barco Manufacturing Services produces high-end single-sided, double-sided and multilayer printed circuit boards for various industrial markets. Elprinta has more than 25 years of experience manufacturing comparable printed circuit boards for the consumer, automotive, industrial, and consumer sectors. The Barco Prints facility in Poperinge, Belgium will be renamed "Multiboard" and 59 of the 80 Barco employees are expected to transfer to this new company.

"This transaction has created an important specialty manufacturer of small and medium-sized series printed circuit boards," stated Mr. Wydooghe. "Barco has added an excellent group of PCB manufacturing experts to Elprinta's existing team and both companies will greatly benefit from synergies in engineering capabilities."

Downer & Company's engagement team for the two Barco transactions included Emmanuel Wydooghe (Vice President), Gilles Glorieux (Associate), Wassim Heneine (Associate), and Michael Schenck (Analyst) in the firm's Paris office.

About Downer & Company
For thirty years, Downer & Company, LLC, has gained distinction as a leading middle-market M&A firm focused on the execution of acquisition and divestiture mandates for international and domestic corporations and private equity firms. Downer & Company is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, and has offices in Paris, Dublin, Frankfurt and Sydney. Downer & Company received an award for transacting the "International Cross-Border Deal of 2004" and was recognized as the top Investment Banking Firm of 2003 by The Mergers & Acquisitions Advisor. Downer & Company's corporate headquarters are located at 60 State Street, Boston, MA 02109. For further information, visit www.downer.com.

Contact:
Emmanuel Wydooghe, Vice President
ewydooghe@downer.com

Patti Allan, Marketing Director
pallan@downer.com
Downer & Company, LLC
617.482.6200

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Company Executive States Acquisition is “Starting Point” for Entry into UK & European Markets

Boston, MA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 01/15/2007 -- Downer & Company, LLC, an international investment banking firm specializing in middle-market cross border acquisitions and divestitures, is pleased to announce that it has advised ABC Learning Centres Ltd. on the acquisition of Busy Bees Group Ltd. from Gresham Private Equity, a leading UK middle-market private equity firm. The transaction closed on December 18, 2006 for a total value of GBP 71m (approx. US $140m).

Busy Bees Group is currently the fifth largest childcare provider in the United Kingdom, operating a network of 33 owned and 15 managed centers. Busy Bees operates wholly owned nurseries, facilities managed on behalf of public and private sector clients, and babysitting facilities at retail, leisure and sporting complexes.

Busy Bees designed and implemented an innovative Corporate Childcare Voucher system accepted by all forms of approved childcare providers in the UK market. ABC Learning's Chief Executive, Eddy Groves, said, "This innovative voucher system—where the company supplies tax-efficient childcare vouchers to employers, who offer them to their employees as a benefit in an agreed salary sacrifice program—provides ABC Learning with a new business segment which we believe can be applied across the global childcare market."

ABC Learning Centers is a highly acquisitive company, having completed the acquisition of eight childcare chains spread over Australia, New Zealand, the US and the UK within the past year, including the recently announced purchase of US-based La Petite Academy for $330 million. Mr. Groves referred to the Busy Bees acquisition as a "starting point" for consolidation of the fragmented UK and European childcare industry. ABC Learning entered the US market just 11 months ago with the acquisition of Learning Care Group Inc, and is now the second largest provider of childcare services in the US.

"The takeover of the Busy Bees Group is an excellent milestone transaction for ABC Learning Centres," said Emmanuel Wydooghe, Vice President with Downer & Company. "This acquisition does not only allow ABC Learning to expand into Europe but also to enter the promising and fast growing business segment of childcare voucher services."

The acquisition of Busy Bees marks the fifteenth completed transaction for Downer & Company in 2006. Downer & Company's engagement team for the ABC Learning transaction included Emmanuel Wydooghe (Vice President), Wassim Heneine (Associate), and Michael Schenck (Analyst) in the firm's Paris office, and Philip Smith (Director – Dublin).

About ABC Learning Centres
For over 18 years, ABC Learning Centres has created and provided educational programs for children aged 6 weeks to 5 years. ABC Learning Centres provides high quality, affordable and accessible early childhood education to all families. ABC Learning Centres is one of the world's largest quoted childcare companies. For more information, please visit www.childcare.com.au.

About Gresham Private Equity
Gresham is a leading independent UK mid-market private equity specialist. Focusing on management buy-outs up to £100m, Gresham invests across a broad range of businesses throughout the UK. Gresham's highly experienced team has a strong track record of adding value and delivering successful investments. Gresham has offices in London, Birmingham and Manchester. For more information, visit www.greshampe.com.

About Downer & Company
For thirty years, Downer & Company, LLC, has gained distinction as a leading middle-market M&A firm focused on the execution of acquisition and divestiture mandates for international and domestic corporations and private equity firms. Downer & Company is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, and has offices in Paris, Dublin, Frankfurt and Sydney. Downer & Company received an award for transacting the "International Cross-Border Deal of 2004" and was recognized as the top Investment Banking Firm of 2003 by The Mergers & Acquisitions Advisor. Downer & Company's corporate headquarters are located at 60 State Street, Boston, MA 02109. For further information, visit www.downer.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Boston, MA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 01/04/2007 -- Downer & Company, LLC, an international investment banking firm specializing in middle-market corporate acquisitions and divestitures, is pleased to announce the promotion of Loren Heinold to Associate. His promotion was effective January 1, 2007.

Mr. Heinold interned with Downer & Company in the summer of 2005 and joined the firm as a full-time Analyst in early 2006. As Associate, Mr. Heinold will be responsible for managing and supporting deal activities, including facilitating client communications, completing industry research, and generating financial analyses for international transactions executed out of the Boston office.

"Loren has proven to be a valued and unique member of the Downer & Company team and we are pleased to promote him to associate," said Arthur Gottlieb, Managing Director. "Loren has been instrumental in establishing strong relationships with our Chinese clients & partners and will continue to play an important role in delivering our M&A advisory services to Asia." In addition to his native English, Mr. Heinold is fluent in Mandarin Chinese and French.

Mr. Heinold graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Harvard University where he received a bachelor's degree in East Asian Studies and was managing editor of the Harvard Asia Pacific Review. He also holds a master's degree in International Finance from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies. During his academic career Mr. Heinold lived in China for two years, studying international relations at Peking University in Beijing and international economics at the Hopkins-Nanjing Center in Nanjing.

About Downer & Company
For thirty years, Downer & Company, LLC, has gained distinction as a leading middle-market M&A firm focused on the execution of acquisition and divestiture mandates for international and domestic corporations and private equity firms. Downer & Company is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, and has offices in Paris, Dublin, Frankfurt and Sydney. Downer & Company received an award for transacting the "International Cross-Border Deal of 2004" and was recognized as the top Investment Banking Firm of 2003 by The Mergers & Acquisitions Advisor. Downer & Company's corporate headquarters are located at 60 State Street, Boston, MA 02109. For further information, visit www.downer.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Practice Team Leader to Attend ProMat 2007 in Chicago, IL, USA

Boston, MA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 01/03/2007 -- Downer & Company LLC, an investment bank specializing in mergers and acquisitions, has announced the formation of its Material Handling & Logistics Industry Practice Team. The formalization of this practice team builds upon the significant transaction experience Downer & Company has developed over the last several years with companies in the Material Handling and Logistics Industry.

The Material Handling & Logistics Industry is major contributor to the global economy. In the United States alone, Material Handling & Logistics companies generate over one trillion dollars in revenues. Companies within this industry manufacture products and provide solutions designed to efficiently and effectively move, protect, store and control material and products through the manufacturing, distribution, consumption and disposal process.

In the last three years, Material Handling & Logistics companies have accounted for in excess of 300 M&A transactions totalling more than $30 billion. As a preface to the formation of our Material Handling & Logistics practice, Downer & Company team members have cultivated significant market knowledge and have developed strong relationships with the strategic buyers, sellers and financial sponsors on both sides of the Atlantic that focus on these companies. The firm has successfully completed a number of transactions within this sector including the recent sale of Interlake Material Handling (a Brambles subsidiary) to United Fixtures (a portfolio company of WynnChurch Capital Ltd.).

Downer & Company's Material Handling & Logistics Industry Practice Team will provide transaction services to companies involved in related activities including equipment, systems and software manufacturers, consultants, systems integrators and simulators, and third party logistics providers. The team will be led from Boston by Mike Howell and includes Chris Donegan (Boston), Karine Curtis Osorovitz (Paris), Frank Merkel (Frankfurt) and Ulrich Mueller (Frankfurt).

Contacts:
Mike Howell, Vice President (mhowell@downer.com)
Chris Donegan, Associate (cdonegan@downer.com)
Karine Curtis Osorovitz, Managing Director (kcurtis@downer.com)
Frank Merkel, Director (fmerkel@downer.com)
Ulrich Mueller, Director (umueller@downer.com)

About Downer & Company
For thirty years, Downer & Company, LLC, has gained distinction as a leading middle-market M&A firm focused on the execution of acquisition and divestiture mandates for international and domestic corporations and private equity firms. Downer & Company is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, and has offices in Paris, Dublin, Frankfurt and Sydney. Downer & Company received an award for transacting the "International Cross-Border Deal of 2004" and was recognized as the top Investment Banking Firm of 2003 by The Mergers & Acquisitions Advisor. Downer & Company's corporate headquarters are located at 60 State Street, Boston, MA 02109. For further information, visit www.downer.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Sale marks the fourteenth completed transaction for the international M&A firm in 2006

Boston, MA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 12/21/2006 -- Downer & Company, LLC, an international investment banking firm specializing in middle-market cross border acquisitions and divestitures, is pleased to announce that it has advised American Capital Strategies Ltd. (Nasdaq: ACAS) on the sale of Precitech, Inc., to Ametek, Inc.

Precitech, based in Keene, NH, is a leading designer and manufacturer of specialty ultra-precision diamond machining systems for the nanotechnology, military, defense, and ophthalmic markets. Precitech was founded in 1962 and had been part of the American Capital portfolio since June 2002. The company will join Taylor Hobson, an ultra-precision measurement instrumentation company, and Solatron Metrology, a manufacturer of digital and analog precision measurement devices, as part of Ametek's Electronic Instruments Group (EIG).

"It was a pleasure working with American Capital on this transaction," said Paul Colone, Vice President with Downer & Company. "Their deal and legal teams were extremely professional and supportive throughout the entire process."

The sale of Precitech, Inc., marks the fourteenth completed transaction for Downer & Company in 2006. Downer & Company's engagement team for the American Capital transaction included Robert Reilly (Managing Director), Paul Colone (Vice President), Gilles Glorieux (Associate), Catherine Ossikine and Geoffrey Lewis, both Analysts in the firm's Boston office.

About American Capital
American Capital is a publicly traded buyout and mezzanine fund with $11.5 billion in capital resources under management. American Capital invests in and sponsors management and employee buyouts, invests in private equity buyouts, provides capital directly to early stage and mature private and small public companies and through its asset management business is a manager of debt and equity investments in private companies. Visit www.americancapital.com for more information.

About Downer & Company
For thirty years, Downer & Company, LLC, has gained distinction as a leading middle-market M&A firm focused on the execution of acquisition and divestiture mandates for international and domestic corporations and private equity firms. Downer & Company is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, and has offices in Paris, Dublin, Frankfurt and Sydney. Downer & Company received an award for transacting the "International Cross-Border Deal of 2004" and was recognized as the top Investment Banking Firm of 2003 by The Mergers & Acquisitions Advisor. Downer & Company's corporate headquarters are located at 60 State Street, Boston, MA 02109. For further information, visit www.downer.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Boston, MA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 11/14/2006 -- Downer & Company, LLC, an international investment banking firm specializing in middle-market cross border acquisitions and divestitures, is pleased to announce that Eiffage Group of France has acquired a majority stake in NAT Neuberger Anlagen-Technik AG (NAT) of Germany. The transaction value was not disclosed.

Eiffage Group —Europe's sixth largest construction group— is composed of 500 subsidiaries organized into five main areas of focus; construction, concessions, road construction & civil engineering, electrical contracting and metallic construction. Forclum, the electrical contracting activity, concentrates on design, manufacturing, operation, multi-technical maintenance and facilities management. It manufacturers and services electrical equipment for the air conditioning, mechanical engineering, electronics, automation ICT networks and HVAC industries in France and continental Europe.

NAT, based in Dachau, Germany, is a service company providing planning, design, installation and facilities management services across the entire electrical engineering sector. The purchase of NAT falls within Eiffage's announced strategy of augmenting its European footprint through acquisitions.

About Downer & Company
For thirty years, Downer & Company, LLC, has gained distinction as a leading middle-market M&A firm focused on the execution of acquisition and divestiture mandates for international and domestic corporations and private equity firms. Downer & Company is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, and has offices in Paris, Dublin, Frankfurt and Sydney. Downer & Company received an award for transacting the "International Cross-Border Deal of 2004" and was recognized as the top Investment Banking Firm of 2003 by The Mergers & Acquisitions Advisor. Downer & Company's corporate headquarters are located at 60 State Street, Boston, MA 02109. For further information, visit www.downer.com.

Contact:
Ulrich Mueller, Director – Frankfurt
umueller@downer.com

Patti Allan, Marketing Director
Downer & Company, LLC
617.482.6200
pallan@downer.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Boston, MA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 10/20/2006 -- Downer & Company, LLC, an international investment banking firm specializing in middle-market cross border acquisitions and divestitures, is pleased to announce that Americ Disc of Quebec, Canada, has completed the acquisition of Denon Digital LLC of Madison, GA. The transaction value was not disclosed.

Americ Disc is a leading provider of CD/DVD manufacturing services in the US and Canada and offers value-added services including fulfillment and distribution to its customers in the independent producers segment. The acquisition of Denon Digital is consistent with Americ Disc's strategy to be a consolidator in the Tier 2 segment of the North American replication market.

Founded in 1986, Americ Disc is one of the leading suppliers of CD/DVD services to the audio and video industry. It offers replication, packaging and distribution services from its centers in Quebec, Minnesota and North Carolina. It is owned and managed by its senior executives, Crown Capital Partners, Transcontinental and MPO of France.

This is the second deal Downer & Company has transacted for Americ Disc. In 2003, the firm structured a transaction between Americ Disc and Media Evolved LLC of Charlotte, NC. Arthur Gottlieb, Managing Director, and Paul Colone, Vice President, in Downer & Company's Boston office, managed both transactions.

About Downer & Company
For thirty years, Downer & Company, LLC, has gained distinction as a leading middle-market M&A firm focused on the execution of acquisition and divestiture mandates for international and domestic corporations and private equity firms. Downer & Company is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, and has offices in Paris, Dublin, Frankfurt and Sydney. Downer & Company received an award for transacting the "International Cross-Border Deal of 2004" and was recognized as the top Investment Banking Firm of 2003 by The Mergers & Acquisitions Advisor. Downer & Company's corporate headquarters are located at 60 State Street, Boston, MA 02109. For further information, visit www.downer.com.

Contact:
Paul A. Colone, Vice President
pcolone@downer.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Boston, MA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 10/04/2006 -- Downer & Company, LLC, an international investment banking firm specializing in middle-market cross border acquisitions and divestitures, is pleased to announce that Glanbia plc, of Ireland, has completed the acquisition of Seltzer Companies, Inc. The transaction, which was announced in September, closed on October 2, 2006.

Seltzer, headquartered in Carlsbad, California, is a leading U.S. nutritional solutions company focused on the development and distribution of specialty ingredients and fine nutrients such as amino acids, minerals and vitamins for the nutritional supplement, food, personal care and pharmaceutical industries. Total consideration for the deal is $105 million. $80 million is payable upon completion of the transaction and $25 million will be paid after specific performance milestones have been reached. Seltzer has 94 employees and will continue to be run by the existing management team.

Mr. John Moloney, Group Managing Director for Glanbia, said in a company statement, "Consumers world-wide are increasingly aware of the link between diet and health and as a result key sectors within the global nutritional market, such as functional foods and nutritional supplements, are growing very strongly. The acquisition of Seltzer Companies, Inc., combined with our existing Nutritionals business, extends Glanbia's platform to develop a global Nutritionals business and will be earnings enhancing in 2007. It also advances the international development of the Group into key global growth markets. We welcome Wayne Seltzer and his team to the Group."

This marks the third acquisition Downer & Company has completed for Glanbia plc since December 2004. The Downer & Company deal team for this transaction consisted of Joseph Downing, Managing Director, Ed Raffoni, Associate, Geoff Lewis, Analyst and Olivier Simon, Analyst.

About Glanbia plc
Glanbia is an international dairy, consumer foods and nutritional products company, with a growing reputation for innovation and advanced manufacturing processes. Quoted on the London and Dublin Stock Exchanges, the Group is one of the world's leading suppliers of dairy-based nutritional ingredients, as well as being a major European dairy processor. Glanbia Nutritionals is a leading provider of science-based nutritional solutions for products with enhanced health benefits. This business produces a wide range of specialty whey proteins, dairy derived nutritional ingredients, minerals and vitamins. Glanbia Nutritionals supplies ingredients for use in ready-to-drink/ powdered beverages, nutritional bars, dairy products, snacks and confectionary products across a range of sectors, including the sports nutrition, weight management and general wellness markets. Glanbia Nutritionals has operations in the US, Ireland, Germany and the UK as well as sales offices in South America and China. For more information, visit www.glanbia.ie.

About Downer & Company
For thirty years, Downer & Company, LLC, has gained distinction as a leading middle-market M&A firm focused on the execution of acquisition and divestiture mandates for international and domestic corporations and private equity firms. Downer & Company is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, and has offices in Paris, Dublin, Frankfurt and Sydney. Downer & Company received an award for transacting the "International Cross-Border Deal of 2004" and was recognized as the top Investment Banking Firm of 2003 by The Mergers & Acquisitions Advisor. Downer & Company's corporate headquarters are located at 60 State Street, Boston, MA 02109. For further information, visit www.downer.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Boston, MA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 08/15/2006 -- Downer & Company, LLC, an international investment banking firm specializing in middle-market corporate acquisitions and divestitures, is pleased to welcome Christopher M. Donegan as the newest member of the firm's associate team. Mr. Donegan rejoined Downer & Company following the completion of his M.B.A. program at the New York University Leonard N. Stern School of Business where he received the Stern Scholar designation. He will be based out of Downer & Company's Boston office.

Mr. Donegan spent four years with Downer & Company in an analyst role before attending business school. "We are delighted that Chris has returned to Downer & Company to continue his career," said Arthur Gottlieb, Managing Director. "We are confident that Chris will make an immediate and positive contribution to each of his client engagements and expect that he will be a valuable addition to our professional staff." As Associate, Mr. Donegan will be responsible for managing and supporting deal activities, including facilitating client communications, completing industry research, and generating financial analyses for international transactions executed out of the Boston office.

Prior to working for Downer & Company from 2000-2004, Mr. Donegan was as an equity analyst at Conning & Company. He is a cum laude graduate of Amherst College, where he was a member of the varsity football team. He lives in Charlestown, Massachusetts.

About Downer & Company
For thirty years, Downer & Company, LLC, has gained distinction as a leading middle-market M&A firm focused on the execution of acquisition and divestiture mandates for international and domestic corporations and private equity firms. Downer & Company is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, and has offices in Paris, Dublin, Frankfurt and Sydney. Downer & Company received an award for transacting the "International Cross-Border Deal of 2004" and was recognized as the top Investment Banking Firm of 2003 by The Mergers & Acquisitions Advisor. Downer & Company's corporate headquarters are located at 60 State Street, Boston, MA 02109. For further information, visit www.downer.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Boston, MA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 07/31/2006 -- Downer & Company, an international investment banking firm specializing in mid-market cross-border acquisition and divestiture advisory services, has advised Creative Solutions Group Holdings, Inc., and Heritage Partners, Inc., on the sale of POP Displays, Inc. (formerly known as Diam USA, Inc.) to an affiliate of Sun Capital Partners, Inc. The sale closed on July 7, 2006 and the transaction value was not disclosed.

Diam USA constructs point-of-purchase display systems for consumer retailers worldwide including Maybelline, Staples, CVS, and L'Oreal. The company's product line features display systems such as floor stands, testers, kiosks, counter & window displays and molded wall units. Diam USA offers complete design, production and assembly services, as well as warehousing and maintenance support for existing point-of-purchase systems.

Gary M. Talarico, Managing Director of Sun Capital Partners, said in a company statement, "We are pleased that our affiliate has completed the POP Displays acquisition, which we consider especially attractive since point-of-purchase spending is increasing as more traditional forms of advertising are de-emphasized. Given our experience in retail investments, we believe that our affiliate is uniquely positioned to assist management in rebuilding POP's position as a leading point-of-purchase supplier with quality displays and maintenance support."

"Savvy brand marketers are moving their advertising dollars away from the conventional avenues of television and print media into in-store activities," said Jeff Robards, Vice President with Downer & Company. "Because of this, the retail community is increasingly focused on the point-of-purchase transaction. We have seen strong interest from companies wishing to acquire suppliers of retail goods and services as well as a renewed appetite for transactions of a strategic nature," he continued. "The growth opportunity for this market is substantial."

The Downer & Company deal team consisted of Wade Aust (Managing Director), Mr. Robards, Greg Fanikos (Associate), Gilles Glorieux (Associate), and Geoff Lewis (Analyst).

About Downer & Company
For thirty years, Downer & Company, LLC, has gained distinction as a leading middle-market M&A firm focused on the execution of acquisition and divestiture mandates for international and domestic corporations and private equity firms. Downer & Company is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, and has offices in Paris, Dublin, Frankfurt and Sydney. Downer & Company received an award for transacting the "International Cross-Border Deal of 2004" and was recognized as the top Investment Banking Firm of 2003 by The Mergers & Acquisitions Advisor. Downer & Company's corporate headquarters are located at 60 State Street, Boston, MA 02109. For further information, visit www.downer.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Frankfurt, Germany -- (ReleaseWire) -- 07/11/2006 -- Downer & Company, an international investment banking firm specializing in mid-market cross-border acquisition and divestiture advisory services, is pleased to announce the sale of H. von Gimborn GmbH to the German private equity firm capiton AG. The transaction is valued at EUR 28 million and closed on 20 June 2006.

H. von Gimborn GmbH (Gimborn), based in Emmerich, Germany and founded in 1855 as a maker of nutritional supplements, is a provider of premium pet care and pet food products in Western Europe. Gimborn manufacturers and distributes over 400 different branded cat, dog and small animal products throughout Europe. Some of its best-known brands include "ShinyCat" and "Gimpet Super Premium" (cat food), "Shiny Dog" (dog food), "Biokat's" and "Eurokat's" (cat litter), "Kaese Rollis" (cat snacks) and "PetCenter" (retail outlets in Prague). capiton AG is a Berlin-based private equity group that invests in middle-market companies in Austria, Germany and Switzerland with an emphasis on the consumer goods, capital goods, services and health care sectors.

Sued-Chemie is a leading chemicals producers focused on catalysts, adsorbents and additives. The divestiture of Gimborn is a result of Sued-Chemie's announced decision to concentrate on core activities including catalysts, food and feed additives, foundry products and performance packaging, as well as energy and environmental technology. Downer & Company Director Frank Merkel remarked, "This transaction allows Sued-Chemie to conclude its program of divesting non-core businesses while giving Gimborn management greater latitude to develop itself as a focused producer & marketer of branded consumer products for pets."

This is the third transaction involving Downer & Company's Frankfurt office in 2006 and the second transaction the firm has orchestrated for Sued-Chemie in 18 months. Downer & Company previously assisted Sued-Chemie on the sale of its U.S. clay adsorbents facility in Georgia. The deal transaction team consisted of Ashley Rountree (Managing Director, Europe), Mr. Merkel, Raymond Morin (Associate), Gregory Fanikos (Associate), and Kim Chi Phung (Analyst).

About Downer & Company
For thirty years, Downer & Company, LLC, has gained distinction as a leading middle-market M&A firm focused on the execution of acquisition and divestiture mandates for international and domestic corporations and private equity firms. Downer & Company is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, and has offices in Paris, Dublin, Frankfurt and Sydney. Downer & Company received an award for transacting the "International Cross-Border Deal of 2004" and was recognized as the top Investment Banking Firm of 2003 by The Mergers & Acquisitions Advisor. Downer & Company's corporate headquarters are located at 60 State Street, Boston, MA 02109. For further information, visit www.downer.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Boston-based M&A Firm Completes Eighth Transaction of 2006

Boston, MA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 06/28/2006 -- Downer & Company, LLC, an international investment banking firm specializing in middle-market cross border acquisitions and divestitures, is pleased to announce the sale of Automatic Products International, Ltd., a leading manufacturer of glassfront automatic merchandising machines, to Crane Co., of Stamford, Connecticut. The transaction was valued at $31 million and closed on June 16, 2006.

Based in St. Paul, Minnesota, Automatic Products International, (APi) is a family-owned business specializing in the manufacture of glassfront snack/candy, hot beverage, fresh/frozen food and snack/can combination merchandisers for the worldwide vending market. Crane Co. acquired APi through its Merchandising Systems segment which also manufactures and distributes electronic vending merchandisers of hot & cold beverages, refrigerated & frozen foods, snack foods and single cup brewed hot drinks.

Mr. Eric Fast, president and chief executive officer of Crane Co., spoke about the acquisition in a company statement. "APi is a company with a long heritage in the vending industry. The current softness in demand for vending equipment requires a strategy of consolidating manufacturing operations to realize cost savings, expanding our sales and marketing capabilities, and continually upgrading our vending machine features. APi's sales through distribution will complement Crane's direct sales approach and will provide stronger penetration of certain market channels, market segments and geographic areas," he concluded.

"Crane's acquisition of APi was a logical step in an industry experiencing over capacity and in need of consolidation," said Joseph Downing, Managing Director with Downer & Company. "Crane's dedication to the vending industry will insure the continued prosperity of the historical, well established APi brand," he continued.

The sale of Automatic Products marks the eighth completed transaction for Downer & Company in the first six months of 2006. Downer & Company's engagement team consisted of Mr. Downing, Jeffrey Robards (Vice President), Edward Raffoni (Associate), and Nick Lenicheck (Analyst), all based out of the firm's Boston office.

About Downer & Company
For thirty years, Downer & Company, LLC, has gained distinction as a leading middle-market M&A firm focused on the execution of acquisition and divestiture mandates for international and domestic corporations and private equity firms. Downer & Company is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, and has offices in Paris, Dublin, Frankfurt and Sydney. Downer & Company received an award for transacting the "International Cross-Border Deal of 2004" and was recognized as the top Investment Banking Firm of 2003 by The Mergers & Acquisitions Advisor. Downer & Company's corporate headquarters are located at 60 State Street, Boston, MA 02109. For further information, visit www.downer.com.

About Crane Co.
Crane Co. (NYSE:CR) is a diversified manufacturer of engineered industrial products. Founded in 1855, the Company has five business segments: Aerospace & Electronics, Fluid Handling, Engineered Materials, Merchandising Systems, and Controls. For more information, visit www.craneco.com.

About Automatic Products international, ltd.
Automatic Products international, ltd. is a leading manufacturer and marketer of high performance glassfront snack, hot beverage, and food merchandisers for the vending market. For more information, visit www.automaticproducts.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

New Organization Structure Reflects Five Years of Planning

Boston, MA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 06/14/2006 -- Downer & Company, LLC, an international investment banking firm specializing in middle-market cross-border divestitures and acquisitions, today announced several key leadership changes.

Effective June 1, 2006, an executive committee consisting of four Downer & Company partners, R. Wade Aust, Joseph Downing, Arthur Gottlieb, and Ashley Rountree, have assumed primary responsibility for managing the firm. This change is the next step in a process that was set in motion more than five years ago.

"The past two years have been our best ever in terms of both transaction volume and revenues," said Ashley Rountree, Managing Director, Downer & Company, Europe. "The strategy originally pioneered by our founders—cross-border M&A services for the middle market—is more relevant today than ever before."

Also effective June 1, 2006, Charles Downer has retired as Chief Executive and has become the Chairman of Downer & Company. In this new capacity, Mr. Downer will advise the firm's partners on a variety of strategic and business development issues. "We are delighted that Charlie will continue to play a role in the ongoing success of Downer & Company," said Joseph Downing, Managing Director.

In the year 2000, Charles Downer, Thomas Munnell and Robert Reilly, the founding partners of Downer & Company, made a deliberate decision to recruit and promote the talent needed to lead the firm in the 21st century. Since that time, responsibility for running Downer & Company has been transitioned to the next generation of partners. "I am deeply grateful that our founders had the foresight to take all of the steps necessary to ensure a successful management transition between generations," said Wade Aust, Managing Director.

Mr. Downer founded Downer & Company in 1975. "It is with great satisfaction and pride that I hand the reigns of Downer & Company to new leadership," said Mr. Downer. "When we began to implement our transition plans in 2000, I had great expectations of this next generation of partners, all of which have been exceeded. I have enjoyed a wonderful career at the firm, and am convinced that Downer & Company is poised for even greater accomplishments in the years ahead."

"Charlie's commitment and hard work have laid the foundation for our continued success," said Arthur Gottlieb, Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer. "All of us will value his friendship and counsel for many years to come."

About Downer & Company
Since its inception in 1975, Downer & Company, LLC, has earned distinction as a leading middle-market M&A firm focused on the execution of acquisition and divestiture mandates for international and domestic corporations and private equity firms. Downer & Company is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, and has offices in Paris, Dublin, Frankfurt and Sydney. Downer & Company received an award for transacting the "International/Cross-Border Deal of 2004" and was recognized as the top middle-market "Investment Banking Firm of 2003" by The Mergers & Acquisitions Advisor. Downer & Company's corporate headquarters are located at 60 State Street, Boston, MA 02109. For further information, visit www.downer.com.

Contact:
Ashley Rountree, Managing Director
Downer & Company, Europe
(33 1) 48 00 27 00
arountree@downer.com

Arthur Gottlieb, Managing Director
Downer & Company, LLC
617.482.6200
agottlieb@downer.com

Patti Allan, Marketing Director
Downer & Company, LLC
617.482.6200
pallan@downer.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Brambles North America Sells Interlake Material Handling to United Fixtures Company

Boston, MA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 05/23/2006 -- Downer & Company, LLC, an international investment banking firm specializing in middle-market cross-border acquisitions and divestitures, is pleased to announce the sale of Interlake Material Handling, Inc., to United Fixtures Company. The transaction closed on April 21, 2006 and is valued at $44.1 million plus the assumption of the company's pension liability. This transaction marks the fifth recent deal Downer & Company has completed in the material handling and logistics industry.

Interlake Material Handling, Inc. (Interlake), is the leading manufacturer of industrial racking for retail, distribution and warehouse applications in North America. The combination of Interlake and United Fixtures Company creates by far the largest player in the North American racking industry. United Fixtures is a portfolio company of Wynnchurch Capital, Ltd., an investment management firm specializing in middle market companies with strong growth potential.

During the sale process, Interlake brought to market an innovative racking system called InterlockTM, which uses bolts instead of welded connection points. Variations of this system are widely accepted in Europe and the rest of the world, but are not common in North America. Educating buyers as to the merits of the bolted racking system was a critical element in the successful completion of this transaction and Downer & Company's knowledge of the material handling industry in both the U.S. and in Europe was important to this endeavor.

"Interlake is the premier racking company in the United States and accordingly we saw strong interest from both strategic and financial acquirers during the auction process," said Michael Howell, Vice President with Downer & Company. "The combination of Interlake and United Fixtures is a significant strategic maneuver by Wynnchurch which will likely drive further consolidation of the North American racking market."

Downer & Company's senior engagement team consisted of Mr. Howell and Joseph Downing, Managing Director, assisted by Catherine Ossikine, Analyst (Boston). Companies interested in learning more about Downer & Company's capabilities in the material handling and logistics market can contact Mr. Howell directly at 617-482-6200.

About Downer & Company
For thirty years, Downer & Company, LLC, has gained distinction as a leading middle-market M&A firm focused on the execution of acquisition and divestiture mandates for international and domestic corporations and private equity firms. Downer & Company is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, and has offices in Paris, Dublin, Frankfurt and Sydney. Downer & Company's corporate headquarters are located at 60 State Street, Boston, MA 02109. For further information, visit www.downer.com.

Contact:
Michael Howell, Vice President
mhowell@downer.com

Patti Allan, Marketing Director
pallan@downer.com
Downer & Company, LLC

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