Corporate Finance Associates Advises in Recapitalization of Abacus Plumbing by Berkey's Plumbing and Air Conditioning

LAGUNA HILLS, CA, March 01, 2012 (Press-News.org) Corporate Finance Associates (CFA), an international middle-market investment banking services firm providing merger and acquisition, business valuation, capital resources, and financial advisory services, announced it advised in the management recapitalization of Abacus Plumbing by Berkey's Plumbing and Air Conditioning of Southlake, Texas. Recapitalization financing was provided by Berkey's investors, Alpine Investors and Skylight Capital.

Abacus Plumbing is a leading provider of residential plumbing and sewer services in Houston, Texas. Founded in 2003, Abacus established a solid reputation for superior customer service and expert workmanship. Berkeys is a leading provider of plumbing and HVAC services to homeowners in the Dallas/Ft. Worth metropolitan area. Established in 1975, the Company focuses on delivering an unmatched quality of service and continuously seeks ways to offer value to its loyal customers.

Both Berkeys and Abacus have experienced rapid growth over each of the last five years and the partnership will lead to additional expansion and growth opportunities for both businesses.

Collin Hathaway of Skylight stated, "After meeting with and evaluating hundreds of plumbing and HVAC service businesses, it is apparent that Abacus and Berkeys are far and away two of the best managed and best positioned regionally-focused home service businesses in the country. We are very excited to be working with the Abacus and Berkeys teams."

The founders of both companies will continue to run their respective businesses. Abacus Founder and CEO, Alan O'Neill, added, "Collin, Alpine, and Berkeys founder, Bill Stevens, represent everything I'd want in partners: they are honest, have a long-term focus, and bring forth years of experience in growing small businesses, which will be critical to Abacus as we enter the next phase of growth. I could not be happier to have them as partners."

"This is truly a case where the company resulting from this merger is greater than the sum of its parts" said Eduardo Berdegue, CFA San Antonio investment banker, who along with Roy Graham provided advisory services in the transaction.

Transaction Information
On February 8, 2012 Berkey's investors, Alpine Investors and Skylight Capital recapitalized Abacus Plumbing in a private transaction. The terms were not disclosed. Roy Graham and Eduardo Berdegue of CFA advised in the transaction.

About Corporate Finance Associates
Corporate Finance Associates is a major investment banking services firm, with over 20 offices across North America providing middle-market companies with a wide range of financial advisory services and access to capital resources. From project inception to completion a senior principal guides clients through every challenge, advocates on their behalf, and leverages CFA's experience and extensive resources. More information is available via the Internet at http://www.corporatefinanceassociates.com.

About Alpine Investors
Based in San Francisco, Alpine Investors is a middle-market private equity firm that invests in growing companies in technology, businesses and consumer services. The firm's $281 million of assets under management are used to provide liquidity to owners and fuel business expansion.
http://www.alpine-investors.com

About Skylight Capital
Based in Seattle, Skylight Capital is a small-cap private equity firm focused on investing in or acquiring small, privately-held companies in the Western and Central U.S. The firm strives to help business owners to create and capture value.
http://www.skylight-capital.com