The Courtney Group is pleased to announce that Barry-Wehmiller Companies, Inc. has acquired the Ward Machinery Company. The Courtney Group acted as financial advisor to Ward, a manufacturer of equipment for the die cutting, printing and folding of corrugated board. Barry-Wehmiller Companies, Inc. plans to unite The Ward Machinery Company with Wisconsin-based Marquip to become MarquipWard, with annual revenues of approximately $150 million.

"I have long felt that the combination of Marquip and Ward Machinery would result in a dynamic, more efficient global supplier to the corrugated industry," stated William F. Ward, Jr., owner of Ward Machinery. "I'm very encouraged that Barry-Wehmiller has entered the corrugated market. In addition to providing enhanced operational strategies, Barry-Wehmiller has made a positive commitment to the corrugated industry."

"MarquipWard will emerge as a leader in the corrugated equipment industry with a solid operational foundation to address market challenges and create new opportunities for technical innovation and growth," said Timothy J. Sullivan, CEO of MarquipWard and Group Executive of Barry-Wehmiller Companies, Inc. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

About the Deal

The two companies first had talks about a year earlier. Subsequently, Barry-Wehmiller Companies, Inc. followed Ward Machinery's continuing strong results and rekindled their pursuit of Ward. The merged business will become one of the largest global suppliers of equipment to the corrugated industry. Barry-Wehmiller Companies, Inc., plans to integrate Ward Machinery Company with Wisconsin-based Marquip to become MarquipWard, with annual revenues of approximately $150 million. Barry-Wehmiller is a clear leader in the packaging automation industry and will also become a leader in the corrugated equipment industry with the acquisition of Ward Machinery.

About Ward Machinery

Ward Machinery was founded in 1961 by William F. Ward, Sr., who also created the first practical rotary die cutter 35 years ago. Under the leadership of his son, William F. Ward, Jr., the company has continued to produce high quality die cutters as well as a diverse product line of machines that fold, glue and print for the corrugated packaging industry.The company has grown to over $100 million in annual sales and more than 500 employees. Much of that growth is a result of successful expansion into foreign markets, particularly in Latin America and East Asia.

About Barry-Wehmiller Company

Barry-Wehmiller Companies, Inc. is a leader in the packaging automation industry with over 100 years of experience as a world-wide provider of advanced technologies in filling, closing, labeling, conveying, cartoning, case packing and shrink-wrapping. With annual revenues of over $350 million, Barry-Wehmiller Companies, Inc. is the largest packaging automation group in the Western Hemisphere.Headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, Barry-Wehmiller has developed a unique strategy for complete systems integration capabilities made possible through nine interactive divisions: Accraply, *barrywehmiller.com, Design Group, Fleetwood, Hayssen, MarquipWard, Pneumatic Scale, Thiele Technologies, and Zepf. Each division operates independently, yet has the ability to interface with one another in order to best serve the growing needs of Barry-Wehmiller's customers.

About The Courtney Group

The Courtney Group is an investment banking firm which specializes in advising clients on mergers & acquisitions as well as raising capital for buyouts, acquisitions, recapitalizations and growth. For further information on the firm please visit www.thecourtneygroup.com.

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