Sunbelt Business Brokers Announces the Recapitalization of ESI Lighting in Partnership with Prospect Partners

ST. PAUL, MN – Sunbelt Business Brokers, an industry-leading facilitator in the sale and acquisition of businesses is pleased to announce the recapitalization of Energy Lighting Solutions International (ESI), St Paul, MN in partnership with Prospect Partners, LLC, Chicago, IL. Prospect Partners formed ESI Lighting, Inc. to invest in the recapitalization of the Company in partnership with ESI’s management team. Dan Mulvaney, Sunbelt Business Brokers represented ESI management in the transaction.

ESI designs, fabricates, assembles and distributes high energy-efficient fluorescent lighting systems that either upgrade or replace inefficient lighting sources often found in warehouses, manufacturing facilities, schools and retail buildings. Because a single building may have a variety of lighting needs, from illuminating "high bay" spaces 20 feet above the floor to assembly lines to aisles, ESI's solutions are made-to-order, either software-engineered or created from the company's broad line of lighting products. ESI sells its systems nationwide primarily through strategic alliances with electrical and lighting distributors and their direct sales forces. Depending on the application, the key purchase decision-maker may be a building owner, electrical engineer, facilities manager or energy service company.

"In a fragmented industry, ESI really stands out as a niche market leader led by an exceptional management team," says Rick Tuttle, a Principal at Prospect Partners. "ESI has created a unique distribution channel that utilizes specific distributors to drive its lighting upgrade initiatives into the marketplace. In addition, ESI's strong design and engineering competency, its solutions-oriented approach to developing high-quality systems and a general movement by the industry toward 'green' lighting alternatives make the company an exciting investment with substantial growth prospects."

ESI's management team includes Jay Barnett, President and Chief Executive Officer; Mark Tastad, Vice President of Design and Engineering; Kristine Steinke, Vice President of Finance; and Jan Fritsche, Vice President of Operations. Management continues to hold a significant equity interest in the company.

"We are thrilled to work with Prospect Partners," says Mr. Barnett. "The firm has a great reputation and deep experience growing niche companies. We are absolutely committed to our heritage of providing leading-edge high energy-efficient lighting solutions. Prospect Partners shares this commitment and, we believe, will provide the right combination of financial capital and strategic guidance a fast-growing company like ESI needs at this juncture."

Sunbelt Business Brokers is the largest organization of business brokers in the world with 300 offices in worldwide. Handling businesses for sale throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois, Sunbelt Business Brokers, Midwest group provides business buyers and sellers with professional services and the highest commitment to confidentiality, integrity, innovation and professionalism. Sunbelt's experienced professionals are specialists in the art and science of buying and selling a business and clarifying the complex issues surrounding businesses for sale.

For more information about this transaction contact Dan Mulvaney at dmulvaney@sunbeltnetwork.com.

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