Mohawk Fine Papers intends to buy Bravo Solutions, a supplier of specialty synthetic, paper substrates for digital printing, assets, expanding Mohawk's digital product offering

Kendall Sinclair

COHOES, New York , June 21, 2011 (press release) – Mohawk Fine Papers Inc. announced today that it has signed a non-binding letter of intent to buy the business of Bravo Solutions, Inc. of Elmira, New York.

Bravo is a leading supplier of specialty synthetic and paper substrates for digital printing. The acquisition will include all brands and certain assets, including manufacturing capacity for converted products, which will remain in Elmira.

Bravo substrates are designed and engineered for both toner and wet-ink printing systems. Mohawk plans to fully integrate the Bravo portfolio, including pressure sensitive, synthetic substrates, integrated products, embedded card sheets and magnetic materials, into the existing Mohawk digital product offering creating the most extensive portfolio of digital substrates in the world.

According to Thomas D. O'Connor, Jr., Mohawk's chairman and CEO, "An acquisition of Bravo will be a strategic opportunity for Mohawk and its customers. We are committed to expanding our offerings to the growing digital print market. These premium substrates represent high value, high volume opportunities for printers, merchants and their customers."

Following the acquisition, Ray Mahar, founder of Bravo, will join Mohawk as Director of Sales, Digital Specialty Substrates. In this new position, Ray will be responsible for business development and sales for both the current Bravo line and an expanded portfolio being developed by Mohawk.

"I would be extremely pleased to join the Mohawk team," said Mahar. "This venture will provide an expanded distribution network for Bravo products, as well as a platform to bring new application-specific products to digital printers that will enable them to leverage their investment in technology and grow their businesses."

The companies are working together to agree on definitive purchase documentation as quickly as possible so as to smoothly transition sales of all products to Mohawk by early third quarter.


About Mohawk

Mohawk is North America's largest privately owned manufacturer of fine papers for commercial and digital printing. Signature brands include Mohawk Color Copy, Everyday Digital, Mohawk Superfine, Strathmore and proprietary i-Tone for HP Indigo. Mohawk papers are chosen for commercial printing, photo specialties and high-end direct mail. Products and samples are available through leading paper distributors and at mohawkpaperstore.com.

The company is leveraging connections in the digital, design and photo space to develop new tech offerings: Pinhole Pro, a software solution for professional photographers and labs; Pinhole Press is a new consumer-facing photo brand; Felt and Wire Shop is an on-line marketplace for social stationery, posters and prints.

This third-generation, family-owned business and certified Women-Owned Business Enterprise is constantly renewing its commitment to environmental stewardship. As the first U.S. manufacturer of commercial printing papers to match 100% of its electricity with windpower renewable energy credits and the first U.S. premium paper mill to shift toward carbon neutral production, its portfolio of recycled papers certified by Green Seal and the Forest Stewardship Council's (FSC) standards, continues to grow along with the rest of the company.

About Bravo

Located in Elmira, NY, Bravo Solutions, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of specialty media for digital printing. Bravo substrates are designed and engineered for both toner and wet-ink printing systems. Specialty substrates help support printers in the manufacture and sale of unique applications that align with the changing technology being offered in the new digital marketplace. All relevant coatings and converting processes are proprietary to Bravo Solutions, Inc.

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