Milwaukee, Wis., April 28, 2009 – ARI (OTCBB:ARIS), today announced it is acquiring the assets
of Channel Blade Technologies Corp., the leading provider of websites, lead management and
marketing automation solutions in the marine and recreation vehicle markets. Terms of the
transaction were not disclosed.
The combination creates an industry leader with enhanced opportunities for growth. Channel
Blade’s customers will quickly gain access to ARI’s e-commerce and website marketing capabilities
that drive increased dealership revenues and profitability. ARI’s current customers will soon benefit
from Channel Blade’s fully integrated manufacturer and dealer lead generation and marketing
automation solutions which shrink the sales cycle and turn more prospects into customers.
“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 FootstepsTM 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 ProTM e-commerce platform, PartSmartTM electronic parts catalogs and other
marketing services we create a win-win for both companies’ customers and employees.”
To help introduce these products, ARI also announced that a special PartSmart catalog offer would
be made to the Channel Blade customer base this week, allowing them to utilize ARI’s flagship
product at a terrific introductory rate.
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. 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,” added Olivier.
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. “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.
About ARI
ARI is a leading provider of electronic parts catalogs and marketing services to dealers, distributors
and manufacturers in the manufactured equipment markets. ARI currently serves approximately 85
manufacturers and 180 distributors worldwide. Additionally, ARI provides electronic parts catalogs,
dealer websites and/or professional marketing services to more than 24,000 dealers in about a
dozen segments of the worldwide equipment market including outdoor power, power sports,
marine, appliances, agricultural equipment, recreation vehicles, floor maintenance, auto and truck
after-market parts and construction. For more information on ARI, please visit our website:
www.arinet.com.
Contact:
Mike Tenpas, Vice President of Sales
ARI Network Services, Inc.
Tel: 414-973-4514
Email: tenpas@arinet.com
