July 15, 2000 - Chicago, IL, -- Blackford Capital today announced its incorporation. The announcement was made by Martin Stein, President of Blackford Capital.

Blackford Capital will focus on middle market U.S. manufacturing companies with sales between $10 million and $50 million. The firm will focus exclusively on management buyouts and industry consolidations. Investment preference is for majority ownership positions.

"We believe that there are substantial opportunities to create significant value in companies in need of new capital and new ownership structures. Our goal is to provide attractive exit options for owners and operators of small to medium-sized privately held manufacturing enterprises, and to provide divestiture opportunities for divisions of corporate parent companies that no longer reflect the company's strategic focus," stated Martin Stein, President, Blackford Capital.

"Our team represents the personal capital and talent of over a dozen business executives, most of whom lead, advise, or serve on the Boards of Fortune 500 companies. We invest in companies that we can grow through an investment of our capital, time, and expertise. For the companies we buy, Blackford Capital offers the chance to grow in value under the leadership of some of the nation's most successful business leaders," Mr. Stein added.

Blackford Capital's limited Partners include Tim Solso, Chairman and CEO of Cummins Engines, the world's largest manufacturer of diesel engines; Steve Wheelwright, former Senior Associate Dean, Harvard Business School; Adrian Slywotzky, Vice President, Mercer Management Consulting, and selected by IndustryWeek as one of the six most influential thinkers in business today along with Peter Drucker, Bill Gates, Andrew Grove, Michael Porter, and Jack Welch; and Michael O'Connell, Managing Director and President of Anhalt, O'Connell & Steffanci, an investment management firm with over $800 million under management.

Blackford Capital invests in middle-market manufacturing companies of industrial products in both mature and growing industries. The firm is particularly interested in investment opportunities where existing management teams are retiring or where key executives need to be added. For more information, contact (312) 214-6390 or visit www.blackfordcapital.com.

For more information, visit www.blackfordcapital.com, or contact Martin Stein at (949) 334-0374.