Transaction Leverages Anthony's Leading Global Brand, Technology and Diverse Catalog of Products and Brings 'Green' Technology to Europe

SYLMAR, Calif., July 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Anthony International ("AI"), a portfolio company of Los Angeles-based investment firm Aurora Capital Group, today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire VAL S.p.A. (VAL), a European manufacturer of curved tempered glass and refrigerator doors. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

AI is a leader in the U.S. commercial refrigeration industry and the world's largest manufacturer of specialty glass, commercial glass refrigerator and freezer doors, case lighting, and display and merchandising systems. AI's premier market position is attributable to its innovative product development, superior technologies, portfolio of strong brand names (Anthony(R), Ardco(R), DisplayRite(TM), Pike, SOVIS, N.A., and Flying Glass), efficient mass-customized manufacturing process and deep-rooted customer relationships and service.

Founded in 1989 and based in Lucca, Italy, VAL is a leader in the European curved glass market and its products are used primarily for refrigerated counters in supermarkets, bakeries and delicatessens. VAL operates through three facilities in the greater Lucca area and employs state-of-of-the-art manufacturing equipment that utilizes advanced double glazing and tempering procedures to eliminate condensation, provide maximum thermal insulation and reduce energy consumption.

Jeffrey Clark, AI's President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "The acquisition of VAL is a compelling opportunity for AI and a logical step in our company's long-term growth and development. Through this transaction, AI gains an important foothold in the growing European refrigeration and freezer marketplace. Europe represents an extremely compelling opportunity for AI given the increasing trend to close refrigeration and freezer cases in supermarkets. Like in the U.S., this is a key step in lowering energy consumption and the carbon footprint of the food and beverage industry. We have tremendous respect for VAL's management team, led by Moreno Petrini and Roberto Bimbi, and its employees, and we anticipate a smooth integration of our two organizations."

Moreno Petrini, VAL's President, said, "We are excited about partnering with AI, a well-known leader in the global commercial refrigeration industry. We look forward to better serving our customers by bringing AI's patented and proprietary product lines and green technologies to Europe in combination with VAL's world-class plant and equipment base."

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP is acting as legal counsel for Anthony International. KPMG Corporate Finance LLC is serving as financial advisor to VALS.p.A. and KStudio Associato is serving as legal counsel.

About Anthony International

Founded in 1958 and headquartered in Sylmar, CA, AI is the world's largest manufacturer of specialty glass, commercial glass refrigerator & freezer doors, case lighting, and display & merchandising systems. AI provides customers with the most state-of-the-art merchandising systems on the market - offering low-energy products to cut operating costs and help preserve natural resources. AI offers dramatic (up to 70%) energy savings by enclosing open dairy and freezer cases with AI Retrofit doors & the NEW AI "OptiMax2" LED lighting system. AI serves the commercial refrigeration markets in the U.S., Asia, and Western Europe. For more information, please visit: http://www.anthonydoors.com/

About Aurora Capital Group

On September 1, 2004, affiliates of Aurora Capital Group ("Aurora") completed the acquisition of Anthony International. Aurora is a Los Angeles-based private equity firm managing over $2.0 billion that utilizes two distinct investment strategies. Aurora Equity focuses principally on control-investments in middle-market industrial, manufacturing and selected service oriented businesses, each with a leading position in sustainable niches, a strong cash flow profile, and actionable opportunities for both operational and strategic enhancement. Aurora Resurgence invests in debt and equity securities of middle-market companies and targets complex situations that are created by operational or financial challenges either within a company or a broader industry. For more information about Aurora Capital Group, visit www.auroracap.com or www.aurorares.com.

    Contact:

    For Anthony International:
    Jeffrey Clark
    President and CEO
    (818) 365-9451

    For Aurora Capital Group:
    Matthew Sherman
    Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher
    (212) 355-4449

SOURCE Aurora Capital Group

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