AIC Ventures Acquires the Corporate Headquarters of Tell Tool

Business Wire, March 19, 2007

AUSTIN, Texas -- AIC Ventures announced today that it has purchased the corporate headquarters and manufacturing facilities of Tell Tool, Inc., located in Westfield, Massachusetts. AIC Ventures' real estate fund, NL Ventures V, through an affiliate, acquired the property and simultaneously entered into a long-term absolute net lease with Tell Tool. The asset encompasses 60,071 square feet of office and industrial space situated on 6.5 acres. Tell Tool is owned by its management team and Platte River Ventures, a Denver-based private equity investment firm.

Peter Carlsen, President of AIC Ventures, said, "We are pleased to have completed this sale/leaseback as it offers us the opportunity to increase our portfolio of properties in Massachusetts while enabling Tell Tool to capture the full value of its real estate. AIC Ventures is committed to becoming the first company people think of when looking for integrity and performance in the sale/leaseback market place."

Greg Sissel, Managing Director of Platte River Ventures, added, "The transaction with AIC Ventures created additional financial flexibility for Tell Tool, while enabling us to utilize our investors' equity capital as efficiently as possible. We look forward to similar, mutually beneficial transactions with AIC Ventures in the future."

Platte River Ventures focuses on investments in small and middle-market industrial and other companies. Utilizing the significant operating expertise of its principals, Platte River Ventures serves as a value-added investor to its management partners. The firm invests in a broad range of transactions, including management buyouts, recapitalizations, and corporate divestitures, as well as growth equity investments in companies in need of expansion capital. For more information on Platte River Ventures, please visit www.platteriverventures.com.

AIC Ventures is a leading provider of capital to middle-market companies. With over $500 million in completed transactions, AIC Ventures structures innovative corporate finance solutions for companies facing limited, short-term or expensive alternatives for capital. The company has closed more than 60 transactions in 22 states and is currently looking for property acquisitions throughout the United States. Whether sellers need to close quickly, have private equity interests, environmental or other challenges, AIC Ventures can help. For more information, please visit www.AICVentures.com.

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