Behrman Capital Acquires Majority Interest in Brooks Equipment Company

    NEW YORK and SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Behrman Capital, a
 private investment firm focusing on emerging growth companies, today announced
 that it has become the majority shareholder of Brooks Equipment Company, Inc.
 ("Brooks"), the premier wholesale distributor of industrial fire protection
 equipment for the first response segment of the fire protection industry.
     Founded over 55 years ago in San Francisco and relocated to Charlotte,
 North Carolina in 1970, Brooks has a long history as a market leader in a
 recession-resistant industry.  Via its 20 distribution centers located
 throughout the United States, Brooks provides inventory outsourcing services
 and just-in-time availability for a wide range of equipment, parts, and
 supplies.
     This transaction, which has a total value of $70 million, marks the third
 equity investment for Behrman Capital II L.P.  The fund closed in January 1998
 with total committed capital of $518 million.
     "We are very pleased with the partnership we are announcing today," said
 Richard Fairclough, President of Brooks.  "We look forward to working closely
 with Behrman Capital, which has invaluable financial and operating expertise,
 as we continue to focus on serving the needs of our current customers, adding
 new products to our distribution network and pursuing new business
 opportunities."
     Grant G. Behrman, a Managing Partner of Behrman Capital stated, "We are
 extremely pleased with this investment.  Brooks has a long record of
 consistently strong financial performance and growth and is a well-entrenched
 market leader.  Our investment in Brooks reflects our tremendous confidence in
 its competitive position, its operational strength, its outstanding management
 team, and its proven growth strategy."
     Behrman Capital invests in management buyouts of growth companies focused
 on the health care, outsourced manufacturing, and information technology
 industries, as well as special situations.  The firm also provides expansion
 capital to emerging growth companies, principally in the health care and high
 technology industries.
     Based in New York City and San Francisco, Behrman Capital was founded in
 1992 by Darryl G. and Grant G. Behrman.  The firm currently has a combined
 capital base exceeding $640 million.
 
 

SOURCE  Behrman Capital