Mesirow Financial Advises North American Coatings, LLC, in its Partnership with an Affiliate of Valor Equity Partners

CHICAGO, September 5, 2008 — Mesirow Financial Corporate Investment Banking department announced today that North American Coatings, LLC ("NAC") has partnered with an affiliate of Valor Equity Partners ("Valor"). Mesirow Financial assisted NAC in attracting a quality partner in Valor.

"Mesirow Financial was an invaluable advisor to North American Coatings," said Mike Chakos, President of NAC. He added, "Mesirow Financial's Corporate Investment Banking team was a strong advocate for North American Coatings, and we are very pleased with the outcome."

Jeffrey Golman, vice chairman of Mesirow Financial, stated, "We are very pleased with the result of this transaction for both the shareholders and management of NAC. Valor is teaming up with a world-class management team with an excellent track record and strong future growth prospects."

Headquartered in Mokena, Illinois, NAC is one of the fastest growing industrial maintenance service companies. NAC specializes in asset preservation through coatings, sandblasting, fireproofing and other related services for Fortune 500 corporations and governmental agencies operating in the petroleum refining and distribution, power generation, petrochemical, pharmaceutical and public infrastructure sectors. For more information, visit www.nacoatings.com.

Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Valor Equity Partners is a lower-middle-market-private-equity firm. Valor looks for market segments and industries which it believes exhibit positive long-term demand dynamics that will support stable revenues from existing business lines, potential revenue and earnings growth, and attractive return on capital.

Mesirow Financial is a diversified financial services firm headquartered in Chicago. Founded in 1937, it is an independent, employee-owned firm with $32.2 billion in assets under management and more than 1,100 employees in 30 locations across the country and in London. With expertise in Investment Management, Investment Services, Insurance Services, Investment Banking, Consulting and Real Estate, Mesirow Financial strives to meet the financial needs of institutions, public sector entities, corporations and individuals and was named one of Chicago's Best Places to Work by Crain's Chicago Business in 2008. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008, the firm posted $490 million in revenue (unaudited), with more than $245 million in capital. For more information about Mesirow Financial, visit its Web site at www.mesirowfinancial.com.

For more information, contact: Lauren Berkowitz, Mesirow Financial, 312.595.6261.

 

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