Published: October 21, 2010
Riverlake Partners Leads $5 Million Investment Round for RPI
PORTLAND, Ore. - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Riverlake Partners, LLC (www.riverlakepartners.com),
a Portland-based private equity group focused on the lower middle
market, today announced it is the lead investor in a $5 million
preferred round of funding for RPI, Inc. (www.rpiprint.com).
The investment is being made through the company's second fund,
Riverlake Equity Partners II, LP. RPI is a Seattle-based leader in
automated manufacturing and fulfillment for the consumer make-on-demand
printed products market. RPI plans to use the additional funds to
continue executing its strategic growth plan, which has enabled the
company to build a leading position in the rapidly growing consumer
market for personalized, print-on-demand products.
Huntington Capital of San Diego, which provided $5 million of mezzanine
financing to RPI in July, also participated in this round of preferred
financing.
In conjunction with this investment, Riverlake partner Victor (Vic) G.
Petroff will become chairman of RPI's board of directors.
"We are impressed by RPI's progress in developing and executing its
business plan," Petroff said. "The company's effective application of
technology and world-class manufacturing techniques, together with its
complete focus on the personalized make-on-demand space, provide it with
a highly differentiated business model. RPI has established itself as a
market leader, and we believe it is uniquely positioned to continue to
grow, largely because of its ability to quickly adapt to rapidly
evolving customer demands."
"We are excited to be co-investing with the Riverlake team," said
Huntington Capital partner Tim Bubnack. "Riverlake has a strong
reputation of providing operational expertise in partnership with the
management teams of its portfolio companies."
Founded more than 30 years ago, RPI has successfully transformed itself
by focusing on the personalized print-on-demand market. The company has
produced millions of personalized products, including photo books,
invitations, business cards and stationery for top-tier retailers that
represent over 40 percent of the total photo products market. HP
recently recognized RPI as one of the top 10 producers of Indigo
impressions in the U.S., and as one of the top 20 worldwide. In 2009, it
was the first company to produce a customizable photo book with wide
audience appeal, and recently won an American Graphic Design Award for a
personalized book concept aimed at the teen market.
About RPI
RPI is the leader in automated, mass-customized manufacturing and
fulfillment for the consumer make-on-demand printed products market. The
company's broad range of blue chip retail and online publishing
customers rely on its consistent, reliable execution, creative design
services and best-of-breed manufacturing for the rapid delivery of
innovative products utilizing consumer-generated content. The privately
held company is headquartered just outside of Seattle, WA. For more
information on how RPI is helping fuel the rapid growth of personalized
products, please visit www.rpiprint.com.
About Riverlake Partners
Riverlake Partners, LLC is a private equity firm focused on leveraged
growth investments in small, profitable companies within the consumer
and industrial products manufacturing and business service industries.
Founded in 2003, it has two funds and typically targets companies with
enterprise values of $15 to $60 million, and partners with existing
management teams to develop and execute on long-term growth strategies.
Past and current portfolio companies include Stock Equipment Company,
O'Currance Teleservices, Inc., Pinnacle Exhibits and SP Industries.
Corporate headquarters are located in Portland, OR. For more
information, please visit www.riverlakepartners.com
or call 503-228-7100.

Riverlake Partners, LLC
Victor G. Petroff, Partner, 503-228-7100
vpetroff@riverlakepartners.com
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