Hammer Direct

Minneapolis, Minnesota: Quazar is pleased to announce that their Client, Hammer Direct, LLC, was acquired by The Bernard Group, Inc., a 100% Employee-owned Company (ESOP).

THE TRANSACTION: The Shareholders made the strategic decision to begin the process of finding a larger partner to bring in new leadership and help grow the business.

Quazar contacted a select group of potential buyers that would be a fit for Hammer Direct. The ESOP indicated an interest early on in the process and presented an offer to acquire Hammer Direct. The Partners appreciated the fact that The Buyer was a 100% ESOP and felt the transition would be a strong fit for the Company and its employees.

THE SELLER: Hammer Direct, LLC. – Hammer Direct (www.hammerdirect.com) was founded in 2002 by Kurt Johnson and Phlayne Anderson; Stephanie Hanson joined the Company as an equal Partner in 2005. The Company is a digital printing and mailing business headquartered in Minneapolis, MN, and provides direct mail, digital print and design, and fulfillment operations for their clients. Hammer Direct operates under the brands of PostcardBuilder, Printz, Printz Pro, and DirectMailTools.

“We are confident that Hammer Direct will be in good hands with our new partner. We are excited to see the people that have helped build the Company continue to generate growth under new leadership, and we really feel that our new partner was the best avenue to help the Company and its employees achieve that growth.” –Kurt Johnson, President of Hammer Direct

The Bernard Group, Inc. (thebernardgroup.com) is a 100 % Employee-owned visual merchandising and digital print company, headquartered in Minnesota. The Company serves some of the most prestigious retailers in the Consumer Products Industry and specializes in large and small format digital print and merchandising services for businesses across the United States.

Quazar (quazarinc.com) is a Minneapolis-based Investment Bank founded in 1990. Quazar specializes in working with privately-held businesses within various industries, including: manufacturing, distribution, business services, technology, and consumer. Quazar provides both sell-side and buy-side advisory services to companies in the lower middle and middle-market.