Investment bank Lincoln International was the exclusive financial advisor to IDG Holdco (DBA Identity Group) on its sale to Ancor Capital Partners, Merit Capital Partners and PNC Mezzanine Capital. As the exclusive financial advisor Lincoln provided advisory expertise and managed the preparatory, buyer coordination and contact, due diligence and final negotiation phases of the transaction which closed at the end of May 2014.
Identity Group manufactures custom identity products engineered to communicate a brand, message, location, or creative theme, and is best known for manufacturing and marketing customized interior signs. Identity Group’s customization capabilities allow it to produce high-volume, custom orders for businesses nationally and internationally. In addition to interior signage, Identity Group’s products include sign systems, dimensional lettering, stock signs, custom and stock stamps, and embossed, engraved, or printed identity products. The company was founded in 1959 and is based east of Nashville in Cookeville, TN (www.identitygroup.com).
Lincoln International worked closely with the company’s senior management team, board of directors and primary shareholders throughout the sale process.
“Through a thoughtful and aggressive, customized marketing effort, Lincoln created a highly competitive process resulting in attractive alternatives for the shareholders with a very favorable outcome,” said Lawrence Hirsh, Chairman of the Board for Identity Group. “Lincoln’s team provided tremendous leverage and assistance to management, the Board and shareholders, lending execution expertise, process guidance and industry knowledge throughout the sale process.”
“Lincoln worked tirelessly throughout the sale process by first making that crucial connection with the management team and then understanding our business and sharing our compelling story,” said Brad Wolf, President of Identity Group. “They provided astute guidance to me and the management team throughout the sale process and helped find us a partner with the vision and the tools to help our business continue to grow.”
Lincoln International specializes in merger and acquisition advisory services, debt advisory services, private capital raising and restructuring advice on mid-market transactions. Lincoln International also provides fairness opinions, valuations and pension advisory services on a wide range of transaction sizes. Lincoln International has 16 offices in the in the Americas, Asia and Europe and is headquartered in Chicago (www.lincolninternational.com).
2014 PEPD • Private Equity’s Leading News Magazine • 6-23-14
