OKLAHOMA CITY, Dec. 3, 2014 – Maxcess International Corporation (“Maxcess”), a portfolio company of Bertram Capital and a leading global provider of web handling systems and components, announced today its signing of definitive agreements to acquire the Guiding Systems business of Fives North American Combustion, Inc. (“Fives Guiding”).  Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Fives Guiding has more than 50 years’ experience providing innovative guiding technologies for the web handling industry.  The transaction marks Bertram Capital’s third investment in the Maxcess platform.

“Fives’ Guiding Systems business is a highly strategic asset that will both broaden our guiding product offering and strengthen our position in key end markets,” said Greg Jehlik, CEO of Maxcess.  “Under the Maxcess umbrella, Fives Guiding will be able to provide customers with expanded sales and service support, global manufacturing reach, and access to a full suite of solutions for web handling applications.”

Fives Guiding will be integrated with Fife Guiding Systems (“Fife”), Maxcess’ industry leading web guiding solutions provider.  Together, the combined business will further expand Fives Guiding’s well-established footprint in Metals, Tire & Rubber, Converting, Textiles and numerous other markets on a global scale, and serve these market segments with a significantly expanded array of products and solutions.

“Tim Heston spearheaded the acquisition of the Fives’ Guiding Systems business and did an exceptional job identifying this strategic opportunity and managing the process,” said Kevin Yamashita, Partner at Bertram.  “This investment represents Bertram’s commitment to our growth focused strategy at Maxcess and Bertram. Fives Guiding will further enhance Fife’s market leading position, allowing Maxcess to better serve our global customer base with best in class services and products.   Our intent is to continue to grow the Maxcess platform through both organic initiatives and add-on acquisitions.”

About Maxcess International
Maxcess helps the web handling industry maximize productivity with convenient access to innovative products and services worldwide. By bringing together the leading brands of Webex, Fife, Tidland and MAGPOWR, Maxcess has built an unrivaled network of application experts with more than 200 years combined experience to help customers improve efficiency and production quality anywhere in the world.

About Fives North American Guiding Systems
Fives North American Guiding Systems is an application-focused provider of web and strip guiding, web spreading, and width measurement engineered solutions. Fives Guiding offers custom designed detectors, electro-mechanical actuators, controllers, hydraulic power units and valve stands, spreaders, and guide frames to provide the optimal price/performance solution.   Founded in 1957, Guiding Systems offers a broad spectrum of capabilities including engineering design, installation management, startup support, field service, and training seminars.

About Bertram Capital
With over $850 million in capital under management, Bertram Capital is a private equity firm targeting investments in lower middle market companies. By supplying flexible investment capital and committing a wealth of operational and strategic resources to each investment, we make it our core objective to move companies, management teams, and employees toward unlocking their full potential.

Contact:

David Hellier

Bertram Capital

(650) 358-5000

[email protected]