Metal Resources Buys Kataman Metals

LockeBridge Investment Banking, Lexington, Mass., has announced that it has acted as exclusive financial advisor to Kataman Metals Inc., a leading merchant broker of nonferrous metals, in its sale to Metal Resources Inc., Chicago. The terms of the transaction

were not disclosed.

Based in St. Louis, Kataman was founded in 1993 and established itself as a leading international supplier of copper, aluminum, zinc, lead and nickel. Kataman is an integrated merchant that deals in primary and secondary copper on a large quantity basis. The company has established strategic partnerships with most of the Fortune 500 corporations that require metal resources.

According to Ben Fixman, CEO of Kataman, "Our sale to Metal Resources Inc. has resulted in substantial additional capitalization which will enable the company to grow much faster.”

William Garnett, a managing director at LockeBridge, says, "The combination of Metal Resources’ aluminum experience combined with Kataman’s expertise in nonferrous metals, specifically copper, represents substantial growth opportunities for both firms.”

Rick Beldner, general counsel for Kataman, says, “Fortunately, the thorough analysis which LockeBridge performed found value other bankers had overlooked. Their ability to search out the right potential buyers resulted in securing multiple offers, from around that world that were each substantially higher than the valuation suggested by the other firms.”

LockeBridge is an investment banking firm focused on middle market transactions, assisting clients with mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, recapitalizations, consulting services and capital access on a global basis. More information is available at www.lockebridge.com.