LOS ANGELES, January 29, 2008 – Marlin Equity Partners is pleased to announce the acquisition of VantagePoint Systems, Inc., a leading provider of enterprise resource planning (ERP) software solutions to the worldwide packaging industry. VantagePoint will operate as a subsidiary of Solarsoft Business Systems, a Marlin portfolio company and provider of ERP solutions to a wide array of vertical markets. VantagePoint employs 70 professionals and serves over 280 customers from offices in North America and Europe.
“We are excited to add another well-respected ERP franchise to the Solarsoft platform. As a group, Solarsoft now provides comprehensive business solutions to over 1,500 customers globally from offices in North America, Europe and Asia,” said Shawn McMorran, Chief Executive Officer of Solarsoft. “With Marlin’s financial backing and software expertise, we continue to actively seek acquisitions in adjacent vertical markets.”
Jim Hennings, CEO of VantagePoint, states, “We look forward to continued success as part of the Solarsoft family. We believe this transaction strengthens our presence as a top-tier ERP provider and allows VantagePoint to leverage the resources of a much larger organization to better serve our customers. Further, Marlin was able to provide the speed, certainty and creativity required to navigate through a complex take-private transaction and maximize value for our shareholders.”
“VantagePoint’s packaging expertise fits extremely well with Solarsoft’s strengths in manufacturing and distribution ERP. The VantagePoint team has done an exceptional job in creating a best of breed product for a specialized market. We look forward to building on their success and will actively seek additional avenues to growth both organically and through acquisitions in complementary vertical markets,” adds P.J. Nachman, a Vice President at Marlin.
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 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, VantagePoint Systems, Aldon Computer Group, Ultra*Pro, Ronco, Hanover Accessories, Stravina and Chatterbox. For more information, please visit www.marlinequity.com.
About Solarsoft Business Systems
In April 2007, CMS Software, Inc. of Toronto and UK-based XKO Software Ltd. merged to form Solarsoft Business Systems. Today, Solarsoft provides modern enterprise software and IT services to manufacturers, distributors and wholesalers in North America, Europe and Asia. Over 1,500 companies rely on Solarsoft systems to bring clarity and efficiency to their business operations. Solarsoft has 25 years experience solving problems in accounting, finance, inventory control, warehouse management, e-commerce, logistics, manufacturing resource planning and management information. The business now serves customers from 12 offices in North America, Europe and Asia. Solarsoft employs over 300 people and generates annual revenue in excess of $65 million. Solarsoft Business Systems is a portfolio company of Marlin Equity Partners LLC. For more information, please visit www.solarsoft.com.
About VantagePoint Systems
VantagePoint Systems, Inc. is a comprehensive provider of ERP software solutions targeting manufacturers of the packaging industry. Its solutions address manufacturers of corrugated packaging, folding cartons, specialty packaging, retail displays and labels. Its mission-critical solutions allow businesses to maximize plant and worker efficiency, increase customer satisfaction and improve productivity. Founded in 1998, VantagePoint has offices in the Canada, the U.S. and Europe, employs 70 professionals and serves 280 customers located at over 560 plants. For more information, please visit www.vpgroup.com.
For additional information, please contact Peter Spasov at (310) 364-0100 or via e-mail at pspasov@marlinequity.com.