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to create long-term value

Wilton, CT, March 10, 2016 – Altus Capital Partners, an investment firm focused on middle market manufacturing companies in the U.S., announced today the acquisition of Nichols Portland (“Nichols Portland” or the “Company”), a division of Parker Hannifin Corporation. Nichols Portland is a leading designer and manufacturer of precision powder metal fixed and variable displacement gears including gerotor gears and smart pumps for automotive and on-off highway and other industrial markets.  Altus Capital along with the management team of Nichols Portland made this investment to participate in the expected growth of smart pump and advanced variable vane gears. The financial terms of the investment were not disclosed.

Nichols Portland, was founded in 1904 as W.H. Nichols and has its manufacturing operations headquarters in Portland, Maine. As a leading manufacturer of gerotors, Nichols Portland not only sells these parts, but the Company provides value-engineered product solutions. The Company’s business comprises powder metal and steel components for fixed and variable displacement pumps and the smart pump business comprises mechanical and electronically driven fuel and oil pumps.

Altus and the management of Nichols Portland believe that demand for smart pump and advanced variable vane gears will increase based upon these products ability to offer increased fuel and motor efficiency.

Rick Izor, Nichols Portland’s General Manager, said, “We are very excited to be partnering with Altus Capital Partners as we continue to grow. Nichols Portland has consistently built on its foundation of innovation and engineering excellence and we look forward to the resources that Altus Capital can provide to help us achieve our strategic growth objectives.”

Russell Greenberg, Managing Partner of Altus Capital, commented, “Altus is enthusiastic to partner with Nichols Portland’s management team in acquiring an industry  leader in the designing and manufacturing powder metal gerotor gears and a growing developer of innovative smart pumps for fuel applications. We recognize and value management’s depth of capabilities along with the Company’s exceptional technological advancements, which has earned Nichols Portland its industry leadership position.”

Heidi Goldstein, a principal of Altus Capital, added, “Nichols Portland has a long tradition of providing innovative solutions for its customers. We look forward to working with and supporting management to expand upon this legacy.”

About Altus Capital Partners

With offices in Wilton, CT and Lincolnshire, IL, Altus Capital Partners has completed 15 platform investments and numerous accretive add on acquisitions since 2003. For more information, please visit www.altuscapitalpartners.com