Press Releases | Page 17 of 18 | Matrix Capital Markets Group

Matrix Announces the Successful Sale of Paladin Tools

RICHMOND, VA – December 19, 2007 – Matrix Capital Markets Group, Inc. announced today that it has successfully completed the sale of Paladin Tools to Greenlee, an operating subsidiary of Textron, Inc. (NYSE: TXT), based in Rockford, IL. Paladin Tools, headquartered in Oilville, VA, is a leading provider of hand tools and accessories for the communications wiring industry.

Matrix served as exclusive financial advisor to Paladin’s shareholders on the transaction.“We believe that our brands, products, services and customer base enhance Greenlee’s long-standing relationships and strengthen their product lines. Paladin Tools is a natural fit in the Greenlee portfolio. We are excited about accelerating our growth and realizing our vision to be the first choice in communications tools,” said Steven Erickson, President of Paladin Tools. He further commented, "Working with the Matrix team made this transaction virtually seamless. They were an invaluable partner throughout the process and provided our shareholders with solid advice. They were a tenacious advocate for the company and always ensured that our best interests were represented. The end result was a great transaction for Paladin and its shareholders."

Paladin Tools was founded in 1977 and is an industry leader in hand tool development for communications wiring applications. Paladin’s brand names include Paladin Tools®, DataShark® and PowerPlay®, and the company’s product line includes a variety of cutters, strippers, punchdown tools, crimpers, multi-tools, testers, kits and other hand tools and accessories for use in computer, network, telephone, home entertainment and other communications wiring applications.

Greenlee is known as a global leader in the professional tool category. The Rockford, Illinois-based company develops high-quality innovative products distinguished by customer-driven design and differentiated by supply chain excellence. Greenlee also leverages its powerful brands such as Tempo, Fairmont, and Klauke in the electrical, construction and maintenance markets worldwide.

Textron Inc. is an $11 billion multi-industry company operating in 32 countries with approximately 40,000 employees. The company leverages its global network of aircraft, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft Company, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, EZ- GO, Greenlee, Fluid & Power, Textron Systems and Textron Financial Corporation.

About Matrix Capital Markets Group
Matrix Capital Markets Group, Inc. is an independent, advisory focused, privately-held investment bank headquartered in Richmond, VA. Since 1988, Matrix has provided merger & acquisition and financial advisory services for privately-held, private-equity owned and publicly traded companies. Our primary advisory services include company sales, asset divestitures, recapitalizations, management buyouts, capital raises of debt & equity, corporate recovery, fairness opinions and valuations. Matrix has served clients in a wide range of industries, including industrial manufacturing and distribution, building products, business services, consumer products, healthcare, lumber and petroleum marketing & distribution. For additional information, please visit www.matrixcmg.com.

Securities offered by Matrix Private Equities, Inc., an affiliate of Matrix Capital Markets Group, Inc., Member FINRA, SIPC.

Matrix Announces the Successful Sale of Rossi American Hardwoods and Hardwood Lumber Manufacturing, Inc.

RICHMOND, VA – October 18, 2007 – Matrix Capital Markets Group, Inc. announced today that it has successfully completed the sale of Rossi American Hardwoods (RAH) and Hardwood Lumber Manufacturing, Inc. (HLM) to H.I.G. Capital, a private equity firm headquartered in Miami, FL and Fifth Street Capital, headquartered in White Plains, NY. RAH, based in Cromwell, CT and HLM, headquartered in Charlotte, NC, are two of the country’s leading producers and exporters of US hardwoods. All of the operating entities under RAH and HLM will be consolidated under a new holding company called American Hardwoods Industries and will include Blue Triangle Hardwoods, Graham Lumber, Emporium Hardwoods, and Northern Hardwoods. The companies also announced their intention to include Cross Creek Sales at a future date. Matrix served as exclusive financial advisor to Rossi and Hardwood Lumber on the transaction.

Ted Rossi, President of Rossi American Hardwoods and the Chairman of the newly formed American Hardwoods Industries stated, “The combination of Rossi and Hardwood Lumber, with our management teams and the financial resources of H.I.G. and Fifth Street, creates a formidable, multi-branded global competitor. The H.I.G. and Fifth Street teams have immersed themselves in the industry and proven to me that they share the same vision and see the same opportunities as our team.” Brian Schwartz, Managing Director of H.I.G. Capital indicated, “We are very excited about partnering with one of the effective operators and industry leaders in Rossi American Hardwoods. Rossi has developed a reputation as a top quality supplier in international markets.” Roman Krislav of H.I.G. noted “HLM offers a sophisticated, metrics oriented and disciplined, management approach that is unique in the industry. Rossi and HLM have consistently invested in quality equipment and management personnel. We believe American Hardwood Industries is well-positioned to benefit from an improvement in sector fundamentals. He noted further that “they are committed to growth and will continue to support an aggressive acquisition campaign that seeks to add businesses that provide or deliver quality managers, products, and customer relationships.”

Michael Morrison, Managing Director and Principal at Matrix commented, “The completion of this transaction will facilitate the creation of one the most diversified hardwood forest products platforms in the world. Partnering with H.I.G. Capital and Fifth Street Capital brings best in breed capital providers to an industry that is fragmented and ripe for selective consolidation. The platform will now have a very broad product offering, several seasoned industry executives, increased species availability, deeper market and customer penetration, and a sister company in Augusta Lumber, an existing portfolio company of H.I.G."

Securities offered by Matrix Private Equities, Inc., an affiliate of Matrix Capital Markets Group, Inc., Member FINRA, SIPC.

Matrix’s Energy & Multi-Site Retail Team Announces the Successful Sale of Three Hospitality Properties

RICHMOND, VA – August 28, 2007 – Matrix Capital Markets Group, Inc. announced today that it has successfully completed the sale of three hospitality properties located in Richmond, VA all owned by affiliates of Briggs Hospitality. The properties, which consist of the Sheraton Park South Hotel, the Holiday Inn I-64 West End (Crossroads) and the Comfort Inn and Conference Center, Midtown were sold to three different buyers. Tom Kelso, Managing Director and head of Matrix’s Energy and Multi-Site Retail Group, along with Cedric Fortemps, Vice President managed the transaction.

The fact that the hotels were of various sizes, quality and service offerings made the transaction complicated, which led Matrix to design a bifurcated sale process to maximize the value of the properties. The result was an extremely successful transaction. Matrix also assisted in the negotiation of a long-term extension on the Holiday Inn land lease, which greatly enhanced the proceeds to the Seller.

Ownership interest in the Sheraton Park South was sold to Apollo Real Estate Advisors' Value Enhancement Fund. The lease for the Holiday Inn I-64 West End (Crossroads) was purchased by Rajendrakumar Parikh and the Comfort Inn and Conference Center, Midtown was sold to Dwarkesh Shah.

Malcolm Briggs, President of Briggs Hospitality commented on the transaction, “The sale transaction spearheaded by Matrix on behalf of the Briggs family required a great deal of in-depth knowledge of our industry, markets and products. Throughout demanding negotiations with the many personalities and institutions involved, Tom Kelso and Cedric Fortemps repeatedly overcame significant obstacles and kept the process and players moving forward. Their extensive experience, expertise, and sheer determination were invaluable to our efforts to sell our hotel portfolio.”

Tom Kelso added, “It has been a pleasure to work with Malcolm Briggs and his family and advisors to maximize the value of the Briggs holdings and handle the sale of their hotel portfolio. We are very pleased that our bifurcated sale process helped Mr. Briggs attain his goals.”

Matrix Announces the Successful Sale of 12 Convenience Stores for Wooten Oil Company

RICHMOND, VA – August 14, 2007 – Matrix Capital Markets Group, Inc. announced today the successful closing on the sale of twelve (12) convenience stores owned by Wooten Oil Company, a Goldsboro, North Carolina based owner and operator of retail petroleum marketing outlets and convenience stores branded as Kwik Mart throughout eastern North Carolina. Wooten Oil Company is exiting the petroleum marketing and convenience store industry to focus on its expanding commercial real estate business.

In March of 2007, Matrix began marketing the stores through a structured sale process. Wooten Oil directly operated all twelve (12) units. Fee simple real estate interests in eleven (11) units and a leasehold interest in one (1) unit were conveyed to the buyers. Nine (9) of the stores were purchased by WilcoHess, LLC and three (3) of the units were purchased by Sampson-Bladen Oil Company. Both WilcoHess and Sampson-Bladen are North Carolina based petroleum marketing and convenience store companies.

Wooten Oil Company has now completed 80 years as a family owned petroleum marketer in eastern North Carolina. Over the course of those 80 years, Wooten Oil Company operated as an oil jobber selling to consumers, end users, homeowners and service stations and through a sister company, Coastal Transport, operated as a common carrier petroleum hauler for many years. After a transition from full service stations to self service stations during the 1970’s, the company opened its first full size Kwik Mart store on January 1, 1980 and has continued to market through convenience stores for the last 27 years. The Company is now managed by family members, Dillon Wooten, President and Rick Sumner, Vice President.

Dillon Wooten commented on the transaction, “The Matrix process was very positive and included a detailed analysis of the value of assets to be sold and how the process would be achieved on an optimum and orderly basis. Goals and expectations were achieved with the final sale and closing being concluded on August 9, 2007. The majority of our fine associates were able to find employment with WilcoHess and Sampson-Bladen. The transition went smoothly and we believe that both WilcoHess and Sampson-Bladen will be very pleased with their new acquisitions which are all productive stores.”

Tom Kelso, Managing Director and head of the Matrix’s Energy and Multi-Site Retail Group, along with Spencer Cavalier, Vice President managed the transaction. Mr. Kelso added, “We are very pleased to have been selected to manage this sale and have enjoyed working with Dillon Wooten, Rick Sumner and the rest of their team. The outcome we achieved for Wooten Oil was the result of a customized, well designed and executed process that created competition for the assets from among various types of potential buyers.

Matrix Closes Recapitalization of Affiliated Mortgage Protection

RICHMOND, VA – July 19, 2007 - Matrix Capital Markets Group, Inc. announced today that it has successfully completed the recapitalization of Affiliated Mortgage Protection, a leading independent insurance agency based in Clark, NJ that specializes in the sale of mortgage protection life insurance. Wachovia Bank provided the exclusive financing to support the recapitalization.

The transaction took place in order to facilitate a partner buyout and provide Matt Goldberg, Co-Founder and CEO, with 100% ownership of Affiliated Mortgage Protection. Matt Goldberg remarked, “The consummation of this deal provided liquidity for my partner and will allow me to more aggressively pursue Affiliated’s strategic objectives for the next several years. Matrix explored several private equity initiatives, but at the end of the day, Wachovia offered me the best possible solution by increasing my ownership to 100% without creating any dilution or outside governance.”

According to Michael Morrison, Managing Director and Principal of Matrix Capital Markets Group, “Both operating partners deserve credit for building a market leading insurance business. The Company will continue its success and rapid growth under the sole leadership of Matt Goldberg.”

Affiliated Mortgage Protection is one of the nation’s largest marketers and sellers of mortgage protection life insurance issued through top insurance carriers such as Old Mutual plc and Mutual of Omaha.

Securities offered by Matrix Private Equities, Inc., an affiliate of Matrix Capital Markets Group, Inc., Member FINRA, SIPC.

Matrix Announces the Successful Sale of Club Colors, Inc.

RICHMOND, VA – July 11, 2007 – Matrix Capital Markets Group, Inc. announced today that it has successfully completed the sale of Club Colors, Inc. to CID Capital, a private equity firm headquartered in Indianapolis, IN. Club Colors, based in Schaumburg, IL is a portfolio company of Philadelphia-based private equity firm RAF Industries. Matrix served as exclusive financial advisor to RAF Industries on the transaction.

Club Colors is a leading provider of licensed collegiate apparel and corporate promotional products, serving hundreds of leading colleges and universities through the college bookstore channel, as well as a diverse mix of Fortune 1000 corporate customers. The company’s products include a broad array of both Club Colors and Tommy Hilfiger branded collegiate apparel, for which Club Colors holds the exclusive North American license. In addition, high quality corporate logo apparel and promotional products are sold to corporate clients on a program basis.

In commenting on the transaction, Doug Murphy, CEO of Club Colors, stated “The senior management team, which will remain intact, is pleased to be moving forward with our new financial partner, CID Capital, as we continue to aggressively grow both the college bookstore and promotional product sides of the business.” Rick Horowitz, President and Chief Operating Officer of RAF Industries, added, “This transaction was as smooth as any in which I have participated (buy or sell) and Matrix was a big part of that. The team at Matrix was prompt, efficient, on top of the issues and provided us with solid advice throughout the deal.”

Bill Weirich, Managing Director and Principal at Matrix commented, “We have had a longstanding relationship with RAF Industries and were excited to work with their team and Club Colors’ management on achieving not only maximum value, but a suitable partner for the Company going forward.” Bryan Johnson, Vice President at Matrix, added, “The Company’s strong management team, JIT business model, and their growing presence in the college bookstore market made this an attractive and fairly unique opportunity in the promotional products sector, which translated into significant interest from a wide range of strategic and financial buyers.”

About RAF Industries
Founded in 1979 by Robert A. Fox, RAF Industries is a Philadelphia-based, privately held company that acquires and operates middle market manufacturing companies. RAF's mission is to develop and nurture world-class companies by combining entrepreneurial operating executives with RAF's seasoned corporate management team.

About CID
Capital CID Capital, a private equity firm based in Indianapolis, provides investment capital to support management buyouts and recapitalizations throughout the United States. CID focuses on privately-owned lower middle market companies that have a strong market position and growth potential. CID's team of professionals works with management to develop and execute a strategy to build value and realize superior investment returns.

Securities offered by Matrix Private Equities, Inc., an affiliate of Matrix Capital Markets Group, Inc., Member FINRA, SIPC.

Matrix Capital Announces the Successful Sale of The Spencer Turbine Company

RICHMOND, VA – May 22, 2007 – Matrix Capital Markets Group, Inc. announced today that it has successfully completed the sale of The Spencer Turbine Company to its employees and Alliance Holdings, Inc., a 100% employee owned holding company. The Spencer Turbine Company, founded in 1892 and based in Windsor CT, is a leading designer and manufacturer of air handling equipment and systems for thousands of demanding global applications. Alliance Holdings, Inc. is an employee-owned holding company based in Willow Grove, PA that is organized as an ESOP with diverse industrial holdings. Matrix served as exclusive financial advisor to Spencer on the transaction.

Don Wilson, Chairman of the Board of Spencer, commented, “The Matrix deal team did an outstanding job in representing the interests of Spencer and its many shareholders. Matrix conducted an extensive, professional and broad process that ultimately created a successful liquidity event for shareholders and a good partner for management going forward.”

Mike Morrison, Managing Director and Principal at Matrix commented, “Strong market conditions for M&A activity provided the Spencer Board of Directors and the 100+ shareholders an excellent opportunity to monetize value through a 100% stock sale, while simultaneously enabling them to identify a partner whose vision and philosophy are similarly aligned.” Bill Kerkam, Vice President for Matrix added, “We are very pleased with the results of this transaction and commend both Don Wilson and the Spencer management team for the significant time and effort they devoted to the process.”

Richard Hart, President and CEO of Spencer expressed his enthusiasm for the transaction, commenting, “Our partnership with Alliance Holdings ensures the continuation of the Spencer brand name and culture, and solidifies a long term environment for the Company’s employees. Our employees are excited about investing through Alliance’s ESOP, and we all look forward to building a larger and stronger position in the industry together.”

Spencer offers a broad range of high-end blower, vacuum and gas booster solutions and sells to a diverse customer base of thousands of companies in over 35 countries for a wide variety of applications, including those involved with air handling, chemical/petrochemical, wastewater treatment, electronics, aerospace and pharmaceutical sectors.

Securities offered by Matrix Private Equities, Inc., an affiliate of Matrix Capital Markets Group, Inc., Member FINRA, SIPC.

by Chris Hull

Matrix Capital Markets Group Announces the Successful Sale of Garsite/Progress LLC

RICHMOND, VA – May 3, 2007 – Matrix Capital Markets Group, Inc. announced today that it has successfully completed the sale of Garsite/Progress LLC, to Insight Equity. Garsite/Progress, based in Kansas City, KS is a portfolio company of Chicago-based private equity firm 13i Capital and operates two distinct divisions, Garsite and Progress Tank. The combined entity was sold to Insight Equity, a private equity firm based in Southlake, TX. Matrix served as exclusive financial advisor to 13i Capital on the transaction.

William Suddath, Managing Director and Principal of 13i, commented, “The Matrix deal team of Bill Weirich, Bryan Johnson and Chris Menasco did an outstanding job in representing the interest of 13i , Peninsula Capital Partners LLC, our mezzanine provider, and the management shareholders in this transaction. Matrix conducted an extensive, professional and broad process that ultimately ended with a very successful exit for 13i and Peninsula Capital Partners LLC, and a good partner for management going forward.”

Bill Weirich, Managing Director and Principal at Matrix commented, “We have had an excellent relationship with 13i Capital and are currently working with them on an exit for another one of their portfolio companies. We enjoyed working with William, Ram Thukkaram, Principal and Senior Managing Director, and Peter Miller, their attorney, on this transaction.” Bryan Johnson, Vice President for Matrix added, “We are very pleased with the results of this transaction. We received a great deal of interest from both strategic buyers and private equity firms based on the size of the transaction.”

Garsite is a leading manufacturer of specialized aviation refueler trucks and hydrant carts. Since 1952, Garsite aircraft refuellers and hydrant dispensers have been the refuellers of choice by major aircraft fueling companies, oil companies, airlines, freight distribution companies, and fuel marketers around the globe. Garsite’s refuelers can be found in service at nearly every major U.S. airport and in over 80 countries on six continents.

Progress Tank, founded in Arthur, IL in 1922, is one of the largest global manufacturers of aluminum, steel and stainless steel vacuum tanks. The company’s tanks are used in specialty trucks for refined fuel, heating oil, liquid waste, propane and aviation fuel applications. In addition, Progress manufactures completed vacuum trucks for the portable restroom and septic service industries.

Securities offered by Matrix Private Equities, Inc., an affiliate of Matrix Capital Markets Group, Inc., Member FINRA, SIPC.

Matrix Capital Markets Group’s Energy & Multi-Site Retail Team Closes Multiple Transactions in January 2007

RICHMOND, VA – March 1, 2007 – Matrix Capital Markets Group announced today that it’s Energy & Multi-Site Retail team has successfully completed the following transactions for January, 2007:

On January 8, 2007, Matrix successfully closed on substantially all of the assets of Southern Convenience Stores, Inc., a North Carolina based owner and operator of retail petroleum marketing outlets and convenience stores throughout North and South Carolina. In the summer of 2006, Matrix began marketing 68 Southern Convenience Store locations through a structured sale process. The stores sold a total of approximately 40 million gallons of motor fuels in 2005.

The following week, on January 16, Matrix successfully closed on Uni-Marts’ acquisition of 28 BP retail and wholesale fuel assets in the Youngstown, Ohio market. Matrix provided acquisition advisory services to consummate the transaction. Uni-Marts, founded in 1972 by Henry Sahakian and headquartered in State College, PA, is one of the largest, privately held petroleum marketing and convenience store operators in the U.S. With the addition of BP’s Youngstown, Ohio units, Uni-Marts will have 288 units located in Pennsylvania, New York, and Ohio.

Also in January, Matrix successfully closed on the sale of two dozen convenience stores owned by The Hartley Company, a Cambridge, Ohio based owner and operator of 90 retail petroleum marketing outlets and convenience stores throughout Ohio. This divestiture was part of Hartley’s plan to monetize certain assets and reposition the Company for growth.

Matrix’s Energy and Multi-Site Retail Group is recognized as the national leader in providing transactional advisory services to companies in the energy and multi-site retail sectors. Team members are dedicated to these sectors and draw upon complementary experiences to provide advisory services to complete sophisticated merger and acquisition transactions, private debt and equity raises, corporate restructurings, and corporate valuation and long term planning engagements.

Securities offered by Matrix Private Equities, Inc., an affiliate of Matrix Capital Markets Group, Inc., Member FINRA, SIPC.

Matrix’s Energy & Multi-Site Retail Team to Manage Sale of Convenience Store Chain in the Southeast

RICHMOND, VA – February 21, 2007 – A leading petroleum marketing, distribution, and convenience store company in the Southeastern U.S. is offering to sell forty-six (46) convenience stores through a structured sale process to be managed by Matrix Capital Markets Group, Inc. The stores are located at prime traffic locations in Florida (18 stores), the greater Atlanta area (14), eastern Tennessee (9), western Virginia (4), and West Virginia (1). Currently, six (6) of the stores are company-operated, twenty-one (21) are operated by commissioned dealers, fourteen (14) are operated by full dealers, two (2) are operated by non-commissioned dealers, one (1) is leased without a supply contract, and two (2) are vacant. However, thirty-five (35) of the currently dealer-operated stores can be converted to company-operated (buyer-operated) stores by the purchaser, if the buyer chooses to do so. In most cases, the sale of the property is subject to the dealer’s right of first refusal.

All of the stores offer motor fuels, primarily Citgo, Valero, Exxon, and Sunoco branded fuels, and all of the stores offer traditional convenience merchandise items. Forty-three (43) of the stores are being sold with the real estate and three (3) are subject to leases.

In 2006, the stores sold a total of approximately 29,000,000 gallons of motor fuels. The stores in Florida sold approximately 1,120,000 motor fuels gallons per store. The stores in the Atlanta market and eastern Tennessee sold approximately 500,000 gallons of motor fuels per store. The average store size and lot size is 1,800 square feet and 1.00 acre, respectively. Ten (10) of the stores include car wash facilities, and thirteen (13) stores have either full service delis or quick-serve restaurants. Also, five (5) of the stores have additional retail tenant leases. The stores present an excellent business opportunity for an individual or strategic buyer looking to maximize convenience retail opportunities in the Southeast.

The sale of these stores is governed by formal sale procedures, which are available upon request from Matrix. Offers can be submitted on individual stores, groups of stores, or for all of the stores. A live auction for the sale of the stores has been set for April 24, 2007; however, the Company will consider and accept preemptive sealed bids made prior to the auction and bidders are encouraged to consider making preemptive sealed bids. The deadline for preemptive bids is April 13, 2007.

To receive offering materials and for mo re information on the stores and the sale process, please visit Matrix’s website – www.matrixcapitalonline.com – and click on the “Sale of Stores in the Southeast” link or contact:

Cedric Fortemps - 804.591.2039 - [email protected]
Vance Saunders - 804.591.2037 - [email protected]

About Matrix Capital Markets Group
Matrix Capital Markets Group is a leading middle market investment bank headquartered in Richmond, Virginia. Since 1988, Matrix has focused on providing merger & acquisition and financial advisory services for corporate and privately-held companies, including sales and divestitures, Staged Liquidity Transactions®, management buyouts, and debt & equity placements.

Matrix Capital Markets Group Announces the Successful Sale of 24 Convenience Stores for The Hartley Company

RICHMOND, VA – January 29, 2007 – Matrix Capital Markets Group, Inc. announced today the successful closing of twenty-four (24) convenience stores owned by The Hartley Company (Hartley), a Cambridge, Ohio based owner and operator of retail petroleum marketing outlets and convenience stores throughout Ohio as part of Hartley’s plan to monetize certain assets and reposition the Company for growth.

In September of 2006, Matrix began marketing the stores through a structured sale process. Hartley directly operated fourteen (14) of the stores, while ten (10) were operated by commissioned dealers. Fee simple real estate interest in all 24 units was conveyed to the buyers. Twenty-two (22) of the stores were purchased by Premium Petroleum, while two (2) of the units were purchased by the existing commissioned dealers. Premium Petroleum also entered into a motor fuels supply agreement with Hartley.

Tom Hartley, President of The Hartley Company, commented on the sale process, “Matrix has been a wonderful firm to work with. Their hard work and professionalism really paid off for us. They were able to present several different options in order to get the deal that worked best for us. We chose to deal with Premium Petroleum which could not have worked out better. The Hartley Company cannot say enough good things about Matrix and its entire staff. ”

Tom Kelso, Managing Director and head of the Matrix’s Energy and Multi-Site Retail Group, along with Spencer Cavalier, Vice President managed the transaction. Mr. Kelso added, “We are very pleased to have been selected to manage this sale and have enjoyed working with Tom Hartley and his team. The outcome we achieved for the Hartley Company was the result of a customized, well designed and executed process that created competition for the assets amongst various types of potential buyers.”

Matrix Capital Markets Group Advises Uni-Marts in the Acquisition of BP Assets in Youngstown, Ohio Market

RICHMOND, VA – January 16, 2007 – Matrix Capital Markets Group, Inc. announced today the successful closing of Uni-Marts’ acquisition of 28 BP retail and wholesale fuel assets in the Youngstown, Ohio market. Matrix provided acquisition advisory services to consummate the transaction. Tom Kelso, Managing Director and Head of the Energy and Multi-Site Retail Group at Matrix, and Spencer Cavalier, Vice President, managed this transaction.

Founded in 1972 by Henry Sahakian and headquartered in State College, Pennsylvania, Uni-Marts is one of the largest, privately held petroleum marketing and convenience store operators in the U.S. With the addition of BP’s Youngstown, Ohio units, Uni-Marts will have 288 units located in Pennsylvania, New York, and Ohio marketing over 180 million gallons of motor fuels annually.

Of the 28 acquired sites, Uni-Marts will directly operate 21 BP-branded retail sites and supply 7 BP-branded dealer operated retail sites. Under the terms of the agreement, all sites will remain branded BP.

Matrix Capital Markets Group Announces the Successful Sale of Fast Fabricators, Inc.

RICHMOND, VA - January 16, 2007 - Matrix Capital Markets Group, Inc. announced today that it has successfully completed the sale of Fast Fabricators, Inc. to Mueller Water Products, Inc. (NYSE: MWA, MWA-B). Fast Fabricators is based in Bloomfield, CT and is a leading fabricator of ductile iron pipe products used in the water and wastewater treatment industries. Mueller Water Products, Inc., based in Atlanta, GA, is a leading North American manufacturer of a broad range of water infrastructure and flow control products for use in water distribution networks, water and wastewater treatment facilities, gas distribution systems and fire protection piping systems. Matrix served as exclusive financial advisor to Fast Fabricators on the transaction.

Patrick Sullivan, President and CEO of Fast Fabricators said, “I am thrilled to be joining forces with the Mueller Water Products family. They are a logical partner for the employees and management team of Fast Fab because it will allow us to continue the tradition of quality manufacturing and service we have created since the early 90’s, while simultaneously giving our customers improved access to the resources of a much larger organization that shares similar ideals and philosophies. Matrix played a pivotal role in advising us through this process and we are thankful for their continued support and guidance.”

Mike Morrison, Managing Director and Principal with Matrix added, “Mueller Water Products represented the best opportunity for Fast Fab’s shareholders to create personal liquidity, solidify a long-term environment for the company’s employees and match corporate cultures while building a larger and stronger position in the industry. We did explore the private equity sector but management ultimately decided that the best partner for the company was a strategic one rather than a private equity firm. The chemistry shared between the principals of each firm was instrumental in choosing an appropriate suitor.”

The entire management team at Fast Fab will remain in place and the satellite operations of the company in ten states will now serve as the platform for continued growth.

Securities offered by Matrix Private Equities, Inc., an affiliate of Matrix Capital Markets Group, Inc., Member FINRA, SIPC.

Matrix Capital Markets Group Announces the Successful Recapitalization of Tri State Foam Products, Inc.

RICHMOND, VA – January 9, 2007 – Matrix Capital Markets Group, Inc. announced today that it has successfully completed the recapitalization of Tri State Foam Products, Inc., a Martinsville, Virginia based manufacturer of expanded polystyrene foam (“EPS”). Harbert Management Corporation, a $7.1 billion private investment firm headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, is the primary investor in the recapitalization. Matrix served as the exclusive financial advisor to Tri State on the transaction.

Initially founded in 1984 as a block molder of EPS serving the building products industry, Tri State has since grown to become the leading diversified EPS foam producer in the Mid Atlantic. Today, the company’s production capabilities include both block molding and shape molding, and the company’s product line has been expanded to include a wide range of protective packaging in addition to building products.

Kevin Farrell, President and CEO of Tri State, retained Matrix to assist the company in evaluating strategic options ranging from growth by acquisition to finding a strong financial partner that would provide the company’s shareholders with a significant liquidity event. Tri State also sought to partner with a firm that would continue to support the company’s historic record of strong sales growth. Kevin Farrell, who will continue in his role as President and CEO, commented “Matrix proved to be an invaluable partner in the process of identifying the right financial partner to help take the company to the next level and in negotiating the best terms and conditions on behalf of Tri State’s shareholders.”

Bill Weirich, Managing Director and Principal at Matrix, commented “We are very pleased with the outcome of this transaction. We received heavy interest in the company from a large number of private equity firms as well as several potential strategic buyers. In the end, a recapitalization in partnership with Harbert was the best solution for Tri State and its shareholders.” Bryan Johnson, Vice President for Matrix, added “We have had a long standing relationship with Tri State and have enjoyed working with Kevin and his team on this transaction. We helped explore and evaluate a number of different alternatives to support the company’s rapid growth and new product lines. Ultimately we decided to partner with a private equity firm given the strong interest in high quality opportunities among middle market equity groups.”

Securities offered by Matrix Private Equities, Inc., an affiliate of Matrix Capital Markets Group, Inc., Member FINRA, SIPC.

Matrix Capital Markets Group Announces the Successful Sale of Southern Convenience Stores, Inc.

RICHMOND, VA – January 8, 2007 - Matrix Capital Markets Group, Inc. announced today the successful closing on substantially all of the assets of Southern Convenience Stores, Inc., a North Carolina based owner and operator of retail petroleum marketing outlets and convenience stores throughout North and South Carolina.

In July of 2006, Matrix began marketing the Company’s 68 company operated stores through a structured sale process. The stores sold a total of approximately 40 million gallons of motor fuels in 2005 and averaged approximately $600,000 of merchandise sales per store. Forty-one of the stores were offered with real estate, with the remaining 27 subject to leases.

Matrix’s competitive sale process resulted in eight of the stores being acquired by family members of Babubhai Patel and six of the stores were purchased by McCray’s Country Cupboard. Another 47 stores were acquired by various other buyers.

Mike Frost, President of Southern Convenience Stores, Inc., commented on the sale process, “Considering the complexity of Southern's operating geographies, Matrix was able to access a broad spectrum of potential buyers from across the country. I found that Matrix's proprietary buyer network was extremely important in this process. Their experience in designing marketing processes that maximize value in selling companies, along with their ability to network new and previously known potential buyers made for a very successful transaction.”

Tom Kelso, Managing Director and head of the Energy and Multi-Site Retail Group at Matrix managed the transaction and added, “We are honored to have been selected to manage this sale and have enjoyed working with Mike Frost and Hampton Hager as they exit the retail petroleum business. The outcome we achieved was the result of a well designed and executed process that created competition for the assets amongst various types of potential buyers.”

Matrix Capital Markets Group Announces Another Successful Cross Border Transaction with the Sale of American Commercial

RICHMOND, VA - November 14, 2006 - Matrix Capital Markets Group, Inc. announced today that it has successfully completed the sale of American Commercial, Inc. to DSI USA, Inc. American Commercial, based in Bristol, VA with operations in Louisville, KY, is the leading North American designer and manufacturer of underground steel supports used primarily in the underground construction and mining industries. DSI USA is a subsidiary of Munich, Germany based DYWIDAG-Systems International, a global manufacturer of products and systems for the mining and tunneling industries and a portfolio company of European private equity firm Industri Kapital.

Founded in 1920, American Commercial offers a complete selection of custom designed and engineered ground control solutions for mining and tunneling projects. The company has a long history of designing and manufacturing underground structures and support systems, including a number of industry firsts, such as the first solid, square-cornered tunnel liner plates which it designed and patented in 1926, and the first steel linings for use with shields which it designed and patented in 1927. With well over eighty years of experience, American Commercial has completed thousands of projects on six continents.

In commenting on the transaction, Jim Marianski, CEO of American Commercial stated, “We believe DSI has a great global platform in the tunneling and mining industries, and American Commercial is a natural fit with DSI’s current operations. The addition of American Commercial’s existing manufacturing base will enhance DSI’s global tunneling operations and create a stronger platform for growth in North America.”

Bill Weirich, Managing Director and Principal with Matrix added, “We were thrilled to be a part of the successful sale of American Commercial to DSI. This transaction represents the culmination of a ten year relationship with American Commercial that began in 1996 when Matrix assisted American Underground Structures with the acquisition of Commercial Pantex Sika, its largest competitor, to create American Commercial, one of the leading underground support manufacturers in the U.S.”

Securities offered by Matrix Private Equities, Inc., an affiliate of Matrix Capital Markets Group, Inc., Member FINRA, SIPC.

Matrix Capital Markets Group Announces the Successful Sale of Thermex-Thermatron, Inc.

RICHMOND, VA – October 19, 2006 – Matrix Capital Markets Group, Inc. announced today that it has successfully completed the sale of Louisville, Kentucky based capital equipment manufacturer Thermex-Thermatron, Inc. to Dyad Partners, a private equity firm headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland. Matrix served as the exclusive financial advisor to Thermex-Thermatron on the transaction.

Founded in 1939, Thermex-Thermatron has an extensive history in the industrial heating equipment market. The company is a leading manufacturer of highly engineered microwave heating and drying equipment and radio frequency welding and sealing machines that are used in a wide range of industrial applications.

Alan Kwiatkowski, President, CEO and majority owner of Thermex- Thermatron, retained Matrix to assist in finding a buyer that would provide the company’s shareholders with a significant liquidity event while maintaining a high level of confidentiality and ensuring that the company’s employees and customer base would remain intact. Matrix provided extensive assistance in positioning and preparing the company for its ultimate sale, and worked closely with the company’s shareholders, attorneys and accountants to coordinate the marketing process, due diligence, and the negotiation of the terms and conditions of the definitive purchase agreement.

Bill Weirich, Managing Director for Matrix, commented “The company’s primary shareholder was very concerned about maintaining confidentiality during the transaction and finding the right buyer to take Thermex to the next level. We had previously sold a business to Dyad and felt very comfortable about their ability to effect a smooth transition for the business.”

Bryan Johnson, Vice President for Matrix, added “Given the shareholders’ concern for protecting the company’s employees and customers, the transaction was ideally suited for a private equity firm that could partner with Thermex’s management team to further expand the company and better service its customer base.”

Securities offered by Matrix Private Equities, Inc., an affiliate of Matrix Capital Markets Group, Inc., Member FINRA, SIPC.

Matrix Capital Markets Group Announces the Successful Sale of Aeriform Corporation

RICHMOND, VA – September 11, 2006 – Matrix Capital Markets Group, Inc. announced today that it has successfully completed the sale of Aeriform Corporation, an industrial gas and welding supply distributor based in Houston, TX to Airgas, Inc., the largest US distributor of industrial, medical and specialty gases and related hardgoods.

Aeriform currently has 29 locations throughout Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Kansas, with a total of 240 employees and annual sales of approximately $65 million. About 58% of its revenue comes from gas & rent, with the balance from traditional welding hardgoods. Matrix served as the exclusive financial advisor to Aeriform on the transaction.

"We are excited about joining Airgas through this transaction, which will offer great opportunities for our customers and our employees," said Michael Stoddard, President and CEO of Aeriform. He added, "Airgas is not only acquiring an outstanding group of customers, but an exceptionally talented team of associates, who have worked very hard over the years to build the company it is today."

Airgas will integrate most of Aeriform’s operations into three of its regional companies: Airgas Southwest will integrate 14 sites in Texas, including locations near Houston, Victoria, El Paso, and Lubbock. Airgas Gulf States will integrate seven sites in southern Louisiana and east Texas. Airgas Mid South will integrate two sites in Kansas, and four sites in Oklahoma, and two locations in Shreveport, Louisiana.

"We look forward to welcoming Aeriform associates, and to offering our new customers a broader product range to meet their gases, welding and safety product needs," said Mike Molinini, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Airgas.

“It was a pleasure working with Mike Stoddard and the outstanding senior management team at Aeriform,” said Bill Weirich, Managing Director and Principal of Matrix, “This transaction is an excellent example of how a combination of industry expertise and a disciplined M&A process can deliver results that meet or exceed client expectations.” Mike Stoddard added, “Bill’s in depth understanding of our industry and the professional process conducted by Matrix were important factors in a successful transaction for all parties.”

Securities offered by Matrix Private Equities, Inc., an affiliate of Matrix Capital Markets Group, Inc., Member FINRA, SIPC.