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.)

Brentwood Associates, a leading Los Angeles-based private equity investment firm, announced today that it has made a significant investment in Chamilia, LLC. Chamilia is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of high quality, personalized jewelry with a globally recognized brand. The company’s core product offering includes bracelets, necklaces and earrings that can be customized to meet the tastes of individual consumers with over 600 interchangeable products. Chamilia’s high quality jewelry is made of 14k gold, sterling silver, Swarovski® crystals, Italian Murano glass and colored stones.

Chamilia was founded in 2003 by Killian Rieder and Jeff Julkowski with a goal of placing unique jewelry design in the hands of the consumer. In 2006 Michael Flaherty joined Chamilia as a founding partner to expand the brand globally. Each of the founders will continue in their current roles at the company, with Killian leading Chamilia’s product design efforts, Jeff serving as Chairman of the Board and Michael managing global business development. Mike Paxton, the company’s CEO, will continue to lead the Chamilia management team.

Steve Moore, a partner at Brentwood, commented, “Chamilia has established an extraordinary track record of growth, having doubled its business in each of the past three years. The founders have built an outstanding leadership team and continue to invest in innovative product design. With significant untapped distribution opportunities, Chamilia is positioned to continue its growth trajectory. We are very excited about our partnership with Killian, Jeff, Michael and the team as they continue to grow the Chamilia brand.”

Anthony Choe, a partner at Brentwood, added, “Our investment strategy is focused on growing consumer brands that have established a highly engaged and loyal customer base. Chamilia has proven its ability to generate both significant traffic and consistent repeat purchases for its retailers, which highlights the strength of the Chamilia brand. We look forward to supporting the management team in executing its growth strategy, including building the Chamilia brand globally.”

Chamilia will continue to focus on developing unique and innovative products while providing the highest level of service to its customers. Jeff Julkowski stated, “We are excited to add such a valuable partner in order to better serve our customers and to continue providing growth opportunities for our employees. The Brentwood partnership is an energizing evolution for Chamilia and will allow us to take the brand to the next level.”

Mike Paxton added, “I’m excited about what lies ahead for the Chamilia brand, and the Brentwood team will provide critical experience and insights to the Chamilia growth model. We are thrilled they are on board.”

Chamilia is the sixth investment by Brentwood Associates’ latest fund, Brentwood Associates Private Equity IV, L.P.

Chamilia was advised by Cherry Tree with legal advice from Faegre & Benson LLP. Brentwood received legal advice from Greenberg Traurig, LLP.

Chamilia, LLC:
Chamilia, LLC, based in Minneapolis, MN, is a progressive company committed to providing innovative and unique products to consumers, while offering superior service to retail partners. Since 2003, Chamilia has experienced significant and rapid growth in the personalized jewelry category. With employees in eight countries, Chamilia distributes products to over 2,000 stores globally through specialty retail chains, independent retailers and boutiques and is proud of its relationships with Disney® and Swarovski®. For more information about Chamilia, please visitwww.chamilia.com. (Cherry Tree does not maintain, endorse, or make any representations as to the content accuracy or quality of this website.)

Brentwood Associates:
Brentwood Associates is a consumer-focused private equity investment firm with over $750 million of capital under management and a thirty-year history of investing in leading middlemarket growth companies. Brentwood focuses on investments in growing businesses where it is able to leverage its extensive experience in areas such as: branded consumer products; consumer services; direct marketing, including direct mail and e-commerce; education; health and
wellness; restaurants; and specialty retail. Since 1984, Brentwood’s dedicated private equity team has invested in 37 portfolio companies with an aggregate transaction value of nearly $5 billion. With significant experience in both investing and brand building, Brentwood is a valueadded partner with entrepreneurs and executives building world-class companies. For more information about Brentwood, please visit www.brentwood.com. (Cherry Tree does not maintain, endorse, or make any representations as to the content accuracy or quality of this website.)

The Richline Group has acquired the intellectual property and distribution rights to Kirchner Corp.’s Mother and Child brand and Janel Russell Designs Inc.

According to Richline Chief Executive Officer Dennis Ulrich, the Mother and Child brand, originated by Janel Russel and successfully developed by the Kirchner family, is an ideal addition to the company’s brands.

Janel Russell introduced her Mother and Child design in 1980, and for nearly 30 years, it has been one of the most popular family-themed jewelry items in history, according to a media release from Richline.

The company intends to continue the Mother and Child brand’s reputation for aggressive, trend-setting styling and quality.

“Richline’s continued commitment to a combination of creativity and quality craftsmanship, with the addition of our aggressive marketing, ensures the Mother and Child brand’s future relevance with the appreciative, family-oriented consumer,” Richline Group President Dave Meleski said in the release.

Dan Kirchner, president of Kirchner Corp., added, “We are proud of our past accomplishments and believe strongly that joining together with Richline ensures a marketing success for our brand and satisfaction for our loyal customers.”

For more information, contact Richline’s Mark Hanna at (914) 699-0000 ext. 277, [email protected], or Liz Ulrich at (914) 699-0000 ext. 268, [email protected].

Richline Group is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc.

Cautionary Statement for the Purpose of Safe Harbor Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements made in this press release by AIC and its CEO Elmer Baldwin about AIC regarding, for instance: (i) AIC’s business transformation plan; (ii) the potential impact of the VAR business asset sale transaction; and (iii) management’s beliefs with respect to the reduction in complexity of AIC’s business and AIC’s ability to focus its attention on growing its core IT services, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on current information we have assessed, which by its nature is dynamic and subject to rapid and even abrupt changes. Forward-looking statements include statements expressing the intent, belief or current expectations of AIC and members of our management team and involve certain risks and uncertainties, including (i) the risk that management may not fully or successfully implement its business transformation plan; (ii) the risk that AIC will not be able to effectively enter into a strategic partnership with Netarx; (iii) prevailing market conditions in the IT services industry; (iv) potentially incorrect assumptions by management with respect to this transaction; and (v) economic, business, market, financial, competitive and/or regulatory factors affecting AIC’s business generally, including those set forth in AIC’s filings with the SEC. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these or any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. AIC expressly disclaims any responsibility for forward-looking statements made by or about Netarx.

About Walter’s Publishing

Walter’s Publishing began more than 75 years ago as a small part of a family-owned business in Waseca, MN. IN 1970, Walter’s Publishing was created as a stand–alone company and has continued to invest and be a leader in technological advancements for custom short-run publishing ever since.

Upon the couple’s retirement, its printer, Taylor Corporation, purchased the company and moved it to Taylor’s North Mankato, MN location. Now part of a multi-billion dollar organization, Walter’s Publishing continuously reinvests in its technology platform and manufacturing floor to provide the very best products in the yearbook industry. Through the financial resources of Taylor Corporation, Walter’s Publishing has been able to maintain its family-owned, customer-focused mindset while gaining access to cutting-edge equipment and capabilities that are changing industry standards.

For more than 40 years, Walter’s Publishing has been a yearbook provider, growing to service thousands of schools in the U.S. and overseas. It has the offerings, resources and expertise you would expect from a large yearbook publisher, yet an attention to detail and personal service that you would want from a small company. Bringing the best of both worlds together is what makes Walter’s Publishing so unique and able to bring you the high-quality yearbook software and products you need at more affordable prices.