MetroGroup Acquires Proficient Data.

Addition Enhances MetroGroup's Transaction-Related Direct Mail Capabilities, Delivers Benefits to Both Firms' Clients

LINCOLN, Neb. -- MetroGroup, a leading national provider of direct marketing services, announced today that it has acquired Proficient Data, a leader in transaction document management, production and mailing services for more than 15 years.

Founded in 1991 and maintaining offices in suburban Chicago and Milwaukee, Proficient Data provides comprehensive document output and distribution solutions for telecommunications, financial services, healthcare and insurance companies, as well as utilities, credit unions and collection agencies and companies seeking business-to-business direct marketing solutions.

Managing, producing and distributing millions of sensitive, business-critical electronic and print documents such as invoices, checks, statements, direct marketing solicitations, and explanations of benefits, Proficient Data brings with it the latest technology, process innovations and a highly professional staff of more than 120 employees. Its state-of-the-art, file-based document processing system allows for page-level tracking, providing optimal control over the integrity of each mail piece.

"The acquisition of Proficient Data fits perfectly with our goal of growing our transaction mail business," said Robert E. Logan, CEO of MetroGroup. "It also brings us a number of important acquisition-focused direct mail clients to which we can offer our unique capabilities and added value because of our size and approach."

"The combination of our two firms," Logan continued, "creates a powerful new enterprise. It also allows us to offer MetroGroup's current client base additional, sophisticated services, including the opportunity to use transaction mail - the industry's best read and acted on direct mail - as a vehicle to capture their targets' attention for upselling and cross-selling opportunities."

Logan added that MetroGroup will continue to pursue opportunities that provide its clients with additional advantages and services while adding to the company's capabilities and increasing its market share. "Proficient Data and MetroGroup are a perfect fit for one another, and for the clients we both serve," said Logan. "This is an important step toward our continued growth, which will be driven both organically and through additional acquisitions."

James T. Russell, President of Proficient Data, noted that the acquisition will help MetroGroup further penetrate the financial services, insurance and utility markets. "We have been very active in these sectors, which MetroGroup is extremely well-equipped to serve," said Russell, who will serve as president of the new transaction mail division of MetroGroup, reporting to Logan. Russell and his partner Donald E. McKevitt will become equity partners in MetroGroup, which is currently owned by members of the company's senior management team and Sterling Capital Partners.

"We are very pleased that Jim will continue to serve customers and be available as a resource to the entire MetroGroup client base," said Logan. "He is one of our industry's leaders, and his continued presence and involvement in the company will ensure that all of the company's customers find this transition to be a seamless experience."

Proficient Data has grown steadily by reacting to the demands of its impressive client list. In recent years, it has made major investments in information technology, electronic document hosting and delivery, disaster recovery and business continuity systems, and audit controls for data privacy.

Headquartered in Lincoln, Neb., MetroGroup is one of the nation's leading providers of direct mail production, printing, statement processing, packaging and fulfillment solutions, having served more than 100 major corporations and marketing organizations. Now in its 60th year, the company produces and mails nearly 2,000,000,000 pieces annually from its facilities in Nebraska, Iowa and Vermont.

Sterling Capital Partners (SCP) is a middle market buyout fund with over 20 years of experience investing in private companies and generating superior returns. SCP manages over $850 million of capital and is focused on distinctive and proprietary situations where there is a sustainable advantage, predictable cash flow and favorable prospect for growth. SCP has 15 investment professionals with operating backgrounds in sales, marketing, strategy, operations, finance, legal, and human resources.