News: Ungaretti & Harris Represents Wilton Industries in Three-Party $1.15 Billion Deal

Chicago, August 10, 2007 – Ungaretti & Harris announced the sale of Wilton Industries, Inc., to EK Success, a leading provider of scrapbooking and paper-based crafts products. The three-party deal had an approximate total value of $1.15 billion, with the sale of Wilton totaling about $700 million.

EK Success, a portfolio company of GTCR Golder Rauner, is a consumer products company with a major market position in the scrapbooking segment of the $30 billion U.S. craft industry. EK Success was acquired by GTCR in February 2006. The combined companies will be named Wilton Products, Inc. and be headquartered in Woodridge, Illinois.

Wilton Industries, Inc. is a long-time client of Ungaretti & Harris name partner Alton B. Harris, who for many years has been a board member of Wilton and advisor to the family that owned Wilton. Gary I Levenstein, Senior Partner and Chairman of the Corporate, Securities and Finance Department of U&H led the transaction with Mr. Harris. Also working on the deal were U&H Partners Joseph K. Hasson and Jennifer R. Quinn, and associates Christopher J. Schafer and Adam R. Jung.

Wilton Industries, founded in 1929 and based in Woodridge, Illinois, is the leading food crafting company in the industry, with the number one position in cake decorating and bakeware. Wilton offers the industry’s most comprehensive selection of baking, cake decorating, candy making, cookie, wedding and seasonal products. In addition, Wilton participates in the specialty home products industry through The Weston Gallery and Copco divisions. The Weston Gallery is a leader in upscale picture frame design and trend right home decor. Copco is the premier designer and marketer of tea kettles and quality kitchenware. Brands include Mario Batali™, Rick Bayless™ and Chef Robert Irvine™ in addition to Wilton’s 14 children’s character licenses. The newly-formed company will be led by industry veteran and existing Wilton President and Chief Operating Officer, Steven Fraser.