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.