Varon Lighting Group is a holding company of wholly-owned niche lighting companies operating in commercial, industrial, and institutional markets.  Based in Chicago, the Company engaged PPC to pursue growth and acquisition alternatives for the business, including increasing Varon’s existing presence in the high growth energy efficient lighting market.  PPC provided advisory services to Varon and assisted in their acquisition and financing of Wisconsin-based Paragon Lighting, a niche provider of energy saving fluorescent lighting products. 

www.varonlighting.com

Franklin Energy Services was founded in 1989 as a business focused entirely on the administration and delivery of utility and government agency energy efficiency and renewable energy programs.  The Company leads development, administration, and implementation of conservation programs for clients targeting low income, residential, agricultural, commercial, and industrial markets in multiple states.  The founders of the Company had significantly grown the business and engaged PPC to explore their financial and strategic alternatives.  As a result of a transaction with a regionally-focused private equity group and existing management, the owners divested of a significant portion of their ownership in the Company at an attractive valuation.  Further, the shareholders achieved another key objective of keeping the business based in Port Washington, Wisconsin.

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www.franklinenergy.com

North Prairie Productions was formed to construct and operate a biodiesel production facility to be located in south-central Wisconsin.  With an annual capacity of 45 million gallons of biodiesel once completed, NPP will be one of the largest producers of this soy-based alternative fuel in the Midwest.  PPC was engaged by the Company to advise on sources of financing to fund the project.

www.npnrg.com

Conley Publishing Group is a printing, publishing and media corporation that brings together synergistic skills and a flexible operating structure to provide their customers superior products and services.  Conley Publishing's Media Group owns and operates newspaper and magazine publications in Wisconsin, Colorado, Texas and Arizona markets.  PPC was hired to assist in the acquisition of Austin Monthly magazine, a regional lifestyle magazine distributed throughout the greater Austin, Texas metropolitan area.

www.printatconley.com

Calcars Corporation with headquarters in Rockford, Illinois, operates in the alternative financial services market, which includes such services as buy-here / pay-here auto sales, pay day loans, check cashing services, and more. As the fourth largest chain of buy-here / pay-here auto stores serving the sub-prime segment of the used vehicle market, the owners of the business were seeking to explore their financing and ownership options. PPC was engaged by the Company to explore financial and strategic alternatives for the business.

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