Guardian Capital Partners Invests in Kwik Tek

WAYNE, Pa., January 8, 2013-- Guardian Capital Partners (“GCP”) announced that it has partnered with management to complete the acquisition of Kwik Tek Inc. (the “Company” or “Kwik Tek”).

Headquartered in Denver, CO., Kwik Tek (www.kwiktek.com) is the leading designer and supplier of branded products for the recreational water sport and snow market, including towables, inflatables, wakeboards, water skis, kneeboards, life jackets, personal watercraft accessories, waterproof cases, protective fenders and bumpers, tow ropes and other related products. It sells predominantly through sporting good chains, outdoor chains, mass retailers, marine distributors and e-commerce channels.

Aaron Kramer, CEO and President of Kwik Tek said, “We are very pleased to partner with Guardian Capital Partners. Together we will leverage our experiences and skill sets to push the Company to even greater levels of innovation and expansion of the business. This is a positive step for the Company and its stakeholders.”

Scott Evans, Managing Partner of GCP added, “Kwik Tek has become a recognized market leader through its two primary brands, Airhead and Sportsstuff, and has established a reputation for delivering quality, innovation and value. With GCP’s experience in the consumer products sector we are excited to further develop and accelerate the Company’s growth strategy.” Peter Haabestad, Managing Partner at GCP, also noted, “Aaron and his team have built a category leading company, and we look forward to working with him as partners to build upon the Company’s strong legacy.”

Investment banking firm Integris Partners advised Kwik Tek. The law firm Duane Morris LLP advised GCP. J.P. Morgan Chase Bank provided senior debt financing for the transaction and Yukon Partners and Bowside Capital provided additional financing and minority equity.

For more information about the transaction, contact Scott Evans at Guardian Capital Partners.

About Guardian Capital Partners (www.guardiancp.com)

Guardian Capital Partners is a private equity firm based in suburban Philadelphia that makes control investments in lower middle market manufacturing, consumer products and service companies. GCP partners with management teams to provide equity capital to lead leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations and divestitures of family-owned businesses and non-core divisions of larger corporations. The private equity experience and complementary skill sets of the GCP team provide a unique combination of operating and finance capabilities resulting in certainty of execution and meaningful long-term value creation for its portfolio companies.

Contact:
Guardian Capital Partners
Scott Evans, 610-964-1500 x107

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