Chamilia_swarovski_0611

Chamilia_swarovski_0611

Cherry Tree advises Chamilia, Inc. in transaction with Swarovski

Chamilia CEO Mike Paxton is pleased to announce a strategic cooperation between Swarovski and Chamilia, to develop a co-branded, personalized beaded jewelry collection.

Recognizing the potential of the personalized jewelry market and building on a leadership position in the jewelry industry as both a supplier of components and a retailer, Swarovski has entered into a strategic cooperation with Chamilia, one of the fastest-growing personalized accessory brands in the world. To support this mutually desired long-term strategy, Swarovski has acquired a minority stake in Chamilia.

Swarovski will combine its crystal cutting expertise with Chamilia’s personalized jewelry proficiency to create a co-branded beaded jewelry collection. The collection has been skillfully crafted and developed by the design teams from Swarovski and Chamilia.

Availability
The Swarovski Chamilia Joint Collection will be available beginning August 1, 2011 at Swarovski stores in select markets. By the end of 2011 the collection is expected to be present in ten markets worldwide, including the U.S., U.K., Ireland Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland, Canada, Australia and Japan. Further expansion is planned in 2012.

Summary of Alliance
Swarovski is a global leader in crystal collectibles, luxury fashion jewelry, and lighting. Swarovski, a multi-billion dollar organization, was established in Austria in 1895 and is still family run today.  Last year, they experienced significant year over year revenue growth building on their long tradition of success.

Recognizing the potential of the personalized jewelry market and building on a leadership position in the jewelry industry as both a supplier of components and a retailer, Swarovski has entered into a strategic cooperation with Chamilia, one of the fastest-growing personalized accessory brands in the world. To support this mutually desired long-term strategy, Swarovski has acquired a minority stake in Chamilia.

Swarovski will combine its crystal cutting expertise with Chamilia’s personalized jewelry design expertise to create a co-branded collectable bead collection. The collection is targeted at a wide base of existing and prospective customers, through Swarovski’s global retail network.

Four Key Points
Chamilia is thrilled to be working with Swarovski to further develop our personalized jewelry and accessories brand.

  • This relationship will provide additional opportunity for innovation and design collaborations, inspired by fashion, style and emotion.
  • The Swarovski Chamilia strategic partnership will help to increase our overall brand awareness in global markets and will elevate our market position.
  • The Swarovski Chamilia strategic partnership will reinforce and elevate Chamilia’s position as a global leader in personalized jewelry design innovation.
  • Combining the superb management teams of Swarovski and Chamilia will amplify all of the impressive qualities that our organizations have in common, which will undoubtedly be beneficial to both companies moving forward.

About Swarovski:
In 1895, Daniel Swarovski, a Bohemian inventor and visionary, moved to the village of Wattens, Tyrol in Austria, with his newly-invented machine for cutting and polishing crystal jewelry stones. From this beginning that revolutionised the fashion world, Swarovski has grown to be the world’s leading producer of precision-cut crystal for fashion, jewelry and more recently lighting, architecture and interiors. Today, the company, still family-owned and run by 4th and 5th generation family members, has a global reach with some 23,000 employees, a presence in over 120 countries and a turnover in 2010 of 2.06 billion Euros. Swarovski comprises two major businesses, one producing and selling loose elements to the industry and the other creating design-driven finished products. Swarovski crystals have become an essential ingredient of international design. Since 1965 the company has also catered to the fine jewelry industry with precision-cut genuine and created gemstones. Showing the creativity that lies at the heart of the company, Swarovski’s own brand lines of accessories, jewelry and home décor items are sold through more than 1,900 retail outlets worldwide. The Swarovski Crystal Society has close to 325,000 members across the world, keen collectors of the celebrated crystal figurines. And in Wattens, Swarovski Kristallwelten, the multi-media crystal museum, was opened in 1995 as a celebration of Swarovski’s universe of innovation and inspiration.

About Chamilia®:
Chamilia is one of the fastest-growing personalized accessory brands in the world, creating extraordinary, innovative jewelry for women with an eye for fashion.Chamilia’s collections of beads, bracelets, necklaces and earrings are sold in fine jewelry stores and boutiques across the globe. Chamilia’s premium quality and unique designs distinguish it from all other jewelry brands. Chamilia jewelry is made of the finest materials, including 14k gold, .925 sterling silver, Swarovski® Elements,Italian Murano glass, and includes an exclusive Disney® Collection. Founded in 2002, Chamilia is privately held and headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. For more information, visit www.chamilia.com(Cherry Tree does not maintain, endorse, or make any representations as to the content accuracy or quality of this website.)

Cherry Tree Wealth Management is an SEC registered investment advisor and fiduciary advisory firm.

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Ecologic_0112

Ecologic_0112

Cherry Tree advises Ecologic Analytics on its sale to Landis+Gyr

Landis+Gyr, the leading global provider of integrated energy management products, has completed the transfer of ownership for all of the remaining stock of Ecologic Analytics, bringing Landis+Gyr’s ownership to 100%. The terms of the transaction will not be disclosed.

Ecologic Analytics is a global leader in meter data management (MDM) software, which transforms advanced metering infrastructure data into accurate, timely and actionable information for electric, natural gas and water utilities. The company is the most experienced MDM provider in North America, with more endpoints in service and more meter reads handled annually than anyone in the industry.

“The strategic rationale for acquiring the remaining ownership of Ecologic Analytics is predicated on ensuring that Landis+Gyr has the capability to offer global utilities the software and meter data management products that they need to complete their smart grid offerings,” said Andreas Umbach, CEO of Landis+Gyr, “This investment demonstrates our commitment, and that of our parent company Toshiba, to complementing our product portfolio for the long-term when appropriate opportunities arise.”

Ecologic Analytics has a flexible business model, working with utilities, and if opted for, system integrators to implement software solutions. Ecologic Analytics will continue its operations from Bloomington, MN and the company’s President, Craig Norman, will report to Richard Mora, Landis+Gyr’s EVP for The Americas.

“Now a fully consolidated part of the Landis+Gyr family, our employees, partners and customers will benefit from the strong strategic and financial support of Landis+Gyr of course,” Craig Norman commented, “And with the complete continuity of our operations we look forward to meeting accelerated global growth opportunities without missing a beat.”

About Landis+Gyr
Landis+Gyr is the leading global provider of integrated energy management products tailored to energy company needs and unique in its ability to deliver true end-to-end advanced metering solutions. Today, the Company offers the broadest portfolio of products and services in the electricity metering industry, and is paving the way for the next generation of smart grid. With annualized sales of more than US$1.5 billion, Landis+Gyr operates in 30 countries across five continents, and employs 5,000 people with the sole mission of helping the world manage energy better. For more information about Landis+Gyr, visit https://www.landisgyr.com. (Cherry Tree does not maintain, endorse, or make any representations as to the content accuracy or quality of this website.)

About Ecologic Analytics
Founded in 2000, Ecologic Analytics, LLC is a leading provider of meter data management systems (MDMS) for electric, natural gas and water utilities. The Ecologic MDMS continuously validates more than 500-million meter reads every day for Smart Grid leading utilities, transforming the data consumed from advanced metering infrastructure (AMI)/smart meter endpoints into accurate, timely and actionable information for decision making across the utility. The Ecologic MDMS is a flexible, configurable and highly scalable enterprise software solution that receives data from any AMI/AMR system and/or manual source, supporting the dynamic operational and business processes needed for Smart Grid initiatives. For more information, see www.ecologicanalytics.com.
 (Cherry Tree does not maintain, endorse, or make any representations as to the content accuracy or quality of this website.)

Cherry Tree Wealth Management is an SEC registered investment advisor and fiduciary advisory firm.

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Indian Harvest

Indian Harvest

Cherry Tree advises Indian Harvest on the acquisition of The Wild Rice Exchange

Indian Harvest Specialtifoods, Inc., a leading supplier of premium rice, grains and legumes to industry and foodservice, proudly announces its purchase of substantially all the assets of Wild Rice Exchange based in Woodland, Calif.

The investment brings an expanded service offering to industrial, foodservice and private-label customers, both domestic and international. With acquisition, the mutual standards of quality established by both Indian Harvest and Wild Rice Exchange will extend across:

  • Expanded sourcing capabilities
  • Greater diversity in packaging options
  • Puffing and infusion capabilities across product lines
  • Increased production capacity
  • Expanded warehousing facilities
  • Professional culinary support across segments
  • Extended sales and service capabilities

Operating as a single entity under the name “Indian Harvest Specialtifoods” (Indian Harvest), the integrated personnel and management teams are adding immediate value to the respective operations. “We feel really fortunate to be able to add this kind of capability with an organization that already had the same commitment to quality that we hold so important,” says Trevor Duininck, managing partner at Indian Harvest. “The Woodland team shares the same commitment to delivering high standards in service and quality, which is clearly demonstrated in the facility, as well as the relationships they cultivate with customers. It’s pretty rare to get such a complete package of quality that fits so well with our existing operations.”

Carlos Zambello, CEO of Wild Rice Exchange and a former employee of Indian Harvest, echoed the sentiment. “This partnership makes perfect sense. It’s great to be part of the leadership team at Indian Harvest, and a joy to introduce customers to the breadth of what our combined organizations have to meet their needs.”

Indian Harvest foodservice sales will continue to be based in Bemidji, Minn., under the direction of Jeff Lande. Production will continue at both Colusa and Woodland facilities in California under the direction of Cruz Gonzalez and Golnar Emam.

About Indian Harvest
Indian Harvest Specialtifoods, Inc., headquartered in northern Minnesota, is a foremost U.S. producer and procurer of some of the world’s most distinctive varieties of grains, beans and legumes for industry and foodservice. The company’s dedication to discovering and promoting lesser-known, heirloom grains and seeds is deep-rooted in its 32-year heritage of providing chef-driven menu inspiration and solutions to an evolving industry. For more information, visit www.indianharvest.com.

Cherry Tree Wealth Management is an SEC registered investment advisor and fiduciary advisory firm.

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Deluxe_psp_0711

Deluxe_psp_0711

Deluxe Acquires PSPrint

Acquisition Strengthens Deluxe as Resource for Small Business Marketing

St. Paul, Minn. – July 28, 2011 – Deluxe Corporation (NYSE: DLX) announced today that it has acquired the net operating assets of PSPrint LLC, an Oakland, California-based provider of online printing services, including custom graphic design, direct mailing list creation and direct mail fulfillment.

“The PSPrint acquisition accelerates our web-to-print growth efforts and aligns with a key focus area of our strategy, growing our service offerings to small businesses,” said Malcolm McRoberts, senior vice president, small business services at Deluxe. “This is a great opportunity for us to leverage our recent investments in the web-to-print space with the established systems and processes at PSPrint. The result will be a best-in-class workflow technology for small businesses, including PSPrint’s loyal and established customer base. Web-to-print is a growing market segment and a natural extension for our products and services.”

Deluxe purchased PSPrint for $45 million in cash. The acquisition is expected to generate an incremental $15 million in revenue for the remainder of 2011 and be neutral to Diluted EPS after including transaction costs and acquisition-related amortization expense.

About Deluxe Corporation
Deluxe is a growth engine for small businesses and financial institutions. Four million small business customers access Deluxe’s wide range of products and services including customized checks and forms as well as web-site development and hosting, search engine marketing, logo design and business networking. For financial institutions, Deluxe offers industry-leading programs in checks, customer acquisition, regulatory compliance, fraud prevention and profitability. Deluxe is also a leading printer of checks and accessories sold directly to consumers. For more information, visit www.deluxe.com(Cherry Tree does not maintain, endorse, or make any representations as to the content accuracy or quality of this website.)

Cherry Tree and Associates advised Deluxe as part of this transaction

Cherry Tree Wealth Management is an SEC registered investment advisor and fiduciary advisory firm.

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Titan Machinery

Titan Machinery

Cherry Tree advises Titan Machinery in this transaction

About Titan Machinery

Titan Machinery owns and operates a network of over 70 full-service agriculture and construction equipment stores across an 11-state footprint in the United States and 6 countries in Europe. They sell new and used construction and farm equipment, as well as offer construction rental equipment.

Cherry Tree Wealth Management is an SEC registered investment advisor and fiduciary advisory firm.

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