ARI acquires Channel Blade Technologies

MILWAUKEE, Wis. – ARI (OTCBB:ARIS), a supplier of electronic parts catalogs and marketing services, is acquiring the assets of Channel Blade Technologies Corp., a provider of Web sites, lead management and marketing automation solutions in the marine and recreation vehicle markets, the company reported in a statement this morning. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Channel Blade’s customers will soon gain access to ARI’s e-commerce and Web site marketing capabilities. And ARI’s current customers will soon have access to Channel Blade’s manufacturer and dealer lead generation and marketing automation solutions, the company reported.

“ARI welcomes Channel Blade’s customers and employees to the ARI family,” said Roy W. Olivier, ARI’s president and CEO. “Channel Blade’s marine and RV market expertise, its lead generation platform and Footsteps marketing automation solution are great strengths. When combined with ARI’s proven solutions in the outdoor power, power sports and appliance markets including our WebsiteSmart Pro e-commerce platform, PartSmart electronic parts catalogs and other marketing services, we create a win-win for both companies’ customers and employees.”

To help introduce these products, ARI said it would make “a special PartSmart catalog offer” available to the Channel Blade customer base this week.

Olivier said that the acquisition is expected to add more than $3.5 million in revenue to ARI.

“The combined scale and more complete set of product and service offerings to the marine and RV markets will drive important competitive advantages for ARI and financial results for its shareholders,” he commented. “This is strategically a great fit for ARI and has substantial benefits for customers of both companies. Combining ARI with Channel Blade strengthens both product offerings and customer service across the power sports, outdoor power, marine and other equipment markets we serve.”

Jon Lintvet, Channel Blade’s CEO, and Chuck Lewis, Channel Blade’s founder and president, will both be a part of ARI’s management team, according to the company.

“We are excited to join ARI and have the opportunity to continue working with our great customers while bringing them a greater breadth of services and innovation to help them in these challenging economic times,” said Lewis.

“Joining the ARI team provides the business with increased scale to accelerate innovation and enhance the value and scope of services provided to our customers at over 1600 dealer locations” added Lintvet.

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