PARAMUS, N.J., MAY 20, 2004 – NAPL Managing Director of Consulting Services John Hyde structured a strategic transaction in which the intangible assets of Rockland, Mass.-based graphic arts supplier DM Products Company, Inc., were acquired by W. Oliver Tripp Company of Braintree, Mass. As part of the agreement, Robert Davidson, DM Products owner and president, joins W. Oliver Tripp Company as Sales and Business Development manager. Finalized over a period of just three days, the transaction is the first implemented by Hyde since his former consulting firm, Rampart Associates, LLC, was acquired earlier this month by NAPL, in a move that considerably strengthens the Association’s consulting services. In the transaction, Hyde advised DM Products Company, a graphics arts dealer that was founded in 1948 and provided a full range of pressroom and prepress supplies and services. Like many companies in the graphic communications industry, family-owned DM products had found itself struggling to remain viable during hard economic times. Although the company is closing down, with the liquidation being handled by NAPL consultant Bruce Perlstein, the sale of its intangible assets (including its client list) to W. Oliver Tripp Company, as well as Davidson’s new role at Tripp, provide a way for DM Products’ customers to continue to have their needs served. “I’m delighted that Bob Davidson is joining our company,” said Gerry Tripp, president of W. Oliver Tripp Company. “His long record of success in providing products and solutions to graphic arts company will be a great asset in serving our customers and those of DM. Bob’s expertise, as well as the acquisition of DM’s intangibles, will help support our mission of being a full-service provider to the graphic communications industry.” “I’m extremely excited about the new opportunities at Tripp,” said Davidson. “Although closing down a company is never easy, this agreement makes it a lot less difficult, since I’m confident our customers will be able to continue to receive excellent service.” The agreement between DM Products Company and W. Oliver Tripp represents a continuation of Hyde’s long track record of helping graphic communications companies achieve their objectives through a range of strategic transactions, including acquisition, merger, sale of business, and restructuring. In addition to his consulting work with clients, Hyde oversees NAPL’s Business Advisory Network. The group of specialized business consultants provides a full range of strategic, financial, human resources, production, technological, and sales and marketing consulting services to NAPL member and non-member companies.