ANNOUNCEMENT

Franklin Partners advises DecksDirect.com in transaction

DecksDirect logo and Harbour Group logo

Headquartered in Minneapolis, MN, DecksDirect.com is the leading direct-to-consumer distributor of premium deck products. Through its e-commerce platform, DecksDirect.com offers a broad line of in-stock products, including composite decking, railing systems, lighting, and other decking accessories. DecksDirect.com was founded in 2008 by Blair Budlong, who will continue to serve as CEO.

Mr. Budlong engaged Franklin Partners to identify and evaluate investors who could provide liquidity as well as the expertise to help take the business to a new level. Franklin Partners was able to articulate DecksDirect.com’s distinct position in the marketplace and to engage growth-oriented investors in the direct-to-consumer sector, such as the Harbour Group.

“We couldn't be more excited to join the Harbour Group family. Known for its strong reputation for operational excellence, Harbour Group is uniquely positioned to assist in our efforts to grow the business. We believe this partnership will accelerate our footprint in the marketplace and support our continuing path of growth.”

— Blair Budlong, CEO, DecksDirect.com

Chris Carlisle and Lindsey Day, of Lathrop GPM, advised Mr. Budlong on the legal aspects of the transaction, and Kyle Orwick of Eide Bailly provided the Quality of Earnings analysis. Elumynt (Jeff Snyder), a digital marketing consultancy, provided the analysis of traffic and customer behavior.

About Harbour Group
Harbour Group is a privately owned operations-focused company based in St. Louis, Missouri. Harbour Group's companies are engaged in manufacturing and distribution across diverse industries, including outdoor living products, stainless-steel hose fittings, remote monitoring solutions, control solutions, LED lighting, flow control, thermal management solutions, boiler systems, professional diagnostic and repair tools, and auxiliary plastic processing equipment. Since its founding in 1976, Harbour Group has acquired 218 companies in 48 different industries.

Franklin Partners has successfully advised entrepreneur/founder owned businesses that use digital marketing to create new market segments, often below the radar-screen of large traditional suppliers, and which disrupt conventional ways of serving the market. To accomplish these results, Franklin Partners uncovers the internal marketing and customer metrics to present the business in strategic terms that are compelling to targeted, growth-oriented investors. Our recent transactions include the sale of Bulk Reef Supply® to Bertram Capital, and the sale of Smith System to Steelcase Corporation.

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Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402
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