CCMP Capital To Acquire The Hillman Companies

NEW YORK and CINCINNATI/PRNewswire/ -- CCMP Capital Advisors, LLC ("CCMP") and The Hillman Companies, Inc. ("Hillman") today announced that they have signed a definitive agreement under which affiliates of CCMP will acquire a controlling interest in Hillman from Oak Hill Capital Partners ("Oak Hill Capital") in a transaction valuing the company at $1.475 billion. CCMP is investing in partnership with Hillman's current management team, led by CEO Jim Waters. Oak Hill Capital and its affiliates will retain a significant minority interest in the company.

Founded in 1964 as a fastener and keys company, Hillman is a leader in the hardware and home improvement industry offering products for commercial and residential uses, as well as inventory management and in-store merchandising services. Today the company provides a comprehensive solution to its retail customers for managing SKU-intensive, complex home improvement categories, distributing over 130,000 SKUs in categories including fasteners, key duplication systems, letters, numbers and signs, engraved tags, builder's hardware, and the recently added nail, deck and drywall category.

Hillman has over 26,000 retail customers in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, South America and Australia and serves home improvement centers, mass merchants, national and regional hardware stores, pet supply stores and other retailers, including Ace Hardware, Do it Best Corp, Home Depot, Lowe's, Menards, Petco, PetSmart, RONA, Tractor Supply, True Value and Walmart.

A. Joe Delgado, Managing Director of CCMP, said, "Jim and his team have established Hillman as an essential product and services provider in the hardware and home improvement industry. The company has a tremendous platform, including a unique, high-touch sales and service team of over 800 members and a sophisticated sourcing and distribution network throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico. We look forward to
working with Jim and the entire Hillman team to help drive Hillman's next phase of growth as the company expands organically and through strategic acquisitions into adjacent markets and new geographies."

Jim Waters, CEO of Hillman, commented, "We are thrilled to partner with CCMP as we enter this new chapter of our growth.  CCMP has extensive experience in retail/supply management, distribution and building products companies, a vast network of relationships, and a track record of adding lasting value at its portfolio companies.

CCMP's differentiated investment and operating experience made them management's preferred partner and we welcome them to the Hillman team. In addition, Oak Hill Capital has been a tremendous partner, and we are delighted to have the opportunity to continue working with them."

Tyler J. Wolfram, Managing Partner of Oak Hill Capital, said, "Hillman has been a successful investment for Oak Hill Capital. Since investing in the company in 2010, we have worked closely with management to define and execute a strategic and operational plan that has enabled Hillman to grow EBITDA by approximately 50% during that time and positioned the company for future growth. We thank Jim Waters, Mick Hillman and the entire Hillman team for their efforts, and we are excited to partner with CCMP and management moving forward."

Hillman's publicly traded trust preferred securities (NYSE-AMEX: HLM.PR) will remain outstanding, will not be converted or exchanged and will continue to trade on the NYSE-AMEX. Completion of the transaction, which is subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions, is expected in the second or third quarter of 2014.
The company is being advised by Barclays on the transaction. CCMP is being advised by Morgan Stanley.