National City Capital Markets announced today that its Investment Banking Group served as exclusive sell side advisor to Dexter Magnetic Technologies, Inc. (“Dexter”), a global leader in providing comprehensive magnetic solutions including the design, engineering, manufacture, and distribution of complex magnetic products and assemblies, in its sale to Levine Leichtman Capital Partners (“LLCP”), a Beverly Hills, California-based private equity fund, and the management of the Company. Dexter was previously owned by Hamilton Robinson LLC (“Hamilton Robinson”), a private equity firm based in Stamford, Connecticut. 

“The entire Dexter management team is pleased about the opportunity to partner with Levine Leichtman Capital Partners in taking advantage of the abundant growth opportunities before us and taking Dexter to the next level,” said Pete Peltier, president of Dexter. “We truly benefited from National City’s understanding of our business and their knowledge of the private equity universe in identifying an exciting new partner in Levine Leichtman Capital Partners. National City’s advice and counsel was vital in realizing a transaction outcome that was favorable to Hamilton Robinson, as well as the rest of Dexter’s shareholders.”

According to Lauren Leichtman, co-Founder and CEO of Levine Leichtman Capital Partners, “Dexter is an exceptionally well-managed company, led by its chief executive officer Pete Peltier and a team of managers who have worked together for a long period of time, and is an excellent addition to our portfolio. Dexter serves customers across a variety of industries and is a leader in the development of highly engineered magnetic solutions. We are very excited to support Pete and the rest of the management team in the continued success of the company.” 

National City Capital Markets was engaged to manage the sale of Dexter due to its extensive experience in similar transactions, as well as National City’s broad knowledge of the appropriate buyer universe. National City identified a number of potential financial and strategic parties that would serve as appropriate potential buyers. After an excellent response from the buyer universe and a highly competitive managed sale process, a transaction was effectuated that was acceptable to all parties involved.

“Dexter has a well-deserved reputation as the world’s foremost provider of magnetic solutions. National City Capital Markets is proud to have worked with a private equity firm as well-respected as Hamilton Robinson and a business as highly regarded as Dexter in meeting its strategic goals and business objectives in this transaction,” said Sean Dorsey, senior managing director and head of Investment Banking for National City Capital Markets.

“During Hamilton Robinson’s ownership, the business evolved to provide higher value-added engineering solutions to its customers, which led to higher margins and allowed Dexter to develop significant new customer relationships. This successful transformation made Dexter an attractive candidate for a sale,” added Dave Hegeman, co-head of National City Capital Markets’ Industrial Group and managing director on this transaction. “Dexter will certainly benefit from its partnership with LLCP, continuing the success it enjoyed in its previous relationship with Hamilton Robinson.” 

About Dexter Magnetic Technologies, Inc.

Dexter Magnetic Technologies is a global provider of magnetic solutions serving focused markets. With outstanding technology & operational excellence, Dexter Magnetic is a global source for permanent magnet and electromagnetic products, off-the-shelf or custom-design magnets, and complete magnetic systems. To learn more about Dexter, visit their website at http://www.dextermag.com.

About Hamilton Robinson LLC

Hamilton Robinson is a private equity firm that specializes in serving small to middle size companies seeking equity capital for management buyouts, corporate growth, and recapitalizations for shareholder liquidity. Since 1984, the firm and its principals have organized and managed investments involving over 40 companies, representing more than $1 billion of value. To learn more about Hamilton Robinson LLC, visit their website at http://www.hrco.com. 

About Levine Leichtman Capital Partners

Levine Leichtman Capital Partners is a private investment firm that manages in excess of $2.0 billion of institutional investment capital through private equity partnerships. LLCP has a highly differentiated, multi-fund investment strategy focused on companies with revenues between $50 million and $500 million. LLCP is currently making new investments through Levine Leichtman Capital Partners III, L.P. and Levine Leichtman Capital Partners Deep Value Fund, L.P. 

About National City Capital Markets

National City Capital Markets* provides strategic solutions including financial advisory, capital raising, capital commitment and risk management solutions to our corporate middle market and private equity clients. Backed by the resources of one of the nation’s largest financial institutions, National City Corporation (NYSE: NCC), we are committed to building long-term relationships that help our clients address business challenges, maximize value and execute their strategic goals. For more information on Investment Banking at National City Capital Markets, visit the Web site athttp://www.nationalcity.com/investmentbanking.

About National City

National City Corporation (NYSE: NCC), headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, is one of the nation’s largest financial holding companies. The company operates through an extensive banking network primarily in Ohio, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri and Pennsylvania, and also serves customers in selected markets nationally. Its core businesses include commercial and retail banking, mortgage financing and servicing, and consumer finance and asset management. For more information about National City, visit the company’s Web site at http://www.nationalcity.com. 

*National City Capital Markets is a trade name under which corporate and investment banking services of National City Corporation and its subsidiaries, including NatCity Investments Inc. and National City Bank, are marketed. National City Capital Markets is not a legal entity. Securities products and services are provided by NatCity Investments, Inc., Member NASD and SIPC, and its licensed securities representatives, who may also be employees of National City Bank. Banking products and services are offered by National City Bank.