Bertram Capital Acquires Maxcess International

SAN MATEO, Calif., Jan. 14, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Bertram Capital announced today its acquisition of Maxcess International Holding Corporation ("Maxcess"), a leading global provider of guiding, winding, slitting and tension control systems for web fed converting applications. Headquartered in Oklahoma City, Okla., Maxcess marks Bertram's fifth transaction in the plastic processing industry and second investment in the web handling equipment industry following the 2012 acquisition of Webex, Inc. ("Webex"). 

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"Maxcess has established a world class brand and distinguished itself as a technology leader in the converting industry for a wide range of applications including paper, film, flexible packaging, non-wovens and metals," said Kevin Yamashita, a Partner at Bertram Capital. "The union between Maxcess and Webex creates a company that is uniquely positioned for growth and unmatched in its combined product portfolios, design capabilities, manufacturing expertise and long standing customer relationships."

The strategic acquisition of Maxcess represents a key element of The Bertram Capital High 5^SM, the firm's proprietary business building approach.  Bertram Capital applies a set of value-added operating capabilities, including sales and marketing improvements, technology development, supply chain optimization, add-on transactions and strategic management support, to enable the firm's portfolio companies to realize more rapid growth and profitability. Within the plastic processing industry, Bertram Capital successfully implemented The Bertram Capital High 5^SM with its investment in and subsequent sale of Extrusion Dies Industries, LLC. in 2012 to Nordson Corporation (NDSN), and will continue to apply this approach with Maxcess and Webex going forward.

Greg Jehlik, CEO of Maxcess, commented, "We are thrilled to partner with Webex and Bertram Capital to achieve our shared vision of accelerating the growth of Maxcess' innovative technologies. This combination will further enhance our ability to fulfill our global strategy of providing a breadth of products and solutions which solve our customers' entire web handling application needs."

Gary Edwards, CEO of Webex added, "Putting these two organizations together immediately provides our customers with a broader product portfolio, expanded application expertise and access to an expanded global sales and service network. The combination of Maxcess' global distribution and Webex's differentiated technology will enable us to capture multiple new opportunities within existing and emerging markets. Bertram Capital has provided the support and resources necessary for us to quickly build an industry leading business."

The merged entity will be led by a management team comprised of leaders from both companies.  In the merged entity Gary Edwards will assume the position of Chairman; Greg Jehlik, CEO; Dave Hawkins, CFO; and Doug Knudtson, COO.

About Maxcess
With over 170 combined years of experience, Maxcess manufactures a comprehensive breadth of products designed to optimize web processing applications which includes; web guiding, tension control, web slitting and roll supporting shafts. The Maxcess umbrella covers the strongest brand names in the industry. Fife pioneered automated web guiding, Tidland invented the very first expanding air shaft and MAGPOWR has the largest installed base of tension products in the industry. With staffs of web handling experts in each region, Maxcess is able to provide customers with products and systems ideally suited to solve their web processing applications. Maxcess is a truly global company with locations in North America, Europe, China, Japan and India.  This allows Maxcess to provide unmatched sales, service and support worldwide. Maxcess employs the largest factory-direct sales and service team in the industry, providing a sustainable and consistent level of service and support for their customers in any region of the world. Visit www.maxcessintl.com for more information.

About Webex
With roots extending back nearly 100 years, Webex along with its subsidiaries - Fox Machining, Magnat-Fairview and PFE Rolls - are established industry leaders in designing and manufacturing precision rolls and specialized web handling machinery for a diversified set of customers within the web handling and converting industries. In addition, the company has developed a strong reputation as an engineering solutions partner, providing value-added support for customer applications across a comprehensive portfolio of high quality web handling products.  Visit www.webexinc.com for more information.

About Bertram Capital
Bertram Capital is a Northern California-based private equity firm focused on investing in middle-market business services, consumer, healthcare, industrial and technology companies.  Bertram is currently investing out of its $500 million second fund and typically allocates $25-$100 million to each investment.  Since the firm's inception, Bertram manages in excess of $850 million in committed capital and has completed 11 platform investments and 15 follow-on acquisitions.  Visit www.bcap.com for more information.

SOURCE Bertram Capital