Hillman Acquires OZCO Building Products

Further Strengthens Hillman’s Market Leading Portfolio of Hardware and Home Improvement Brands and Products

CINCINNATI, April 19, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Hillman Companies, Inc. (NYSE-AMEX: HLM.PR) (the “Company” or “Hillman”), a leader in the hardware and home improvement industry, announced today that it has acquired OZCO Building Products (“OZCO”).

With annual net revenue of approximately $18 million, OZCO is a leading manufacturer of superior quality outdoor hardware in the U.S. and Canada. It is best known for originating the Ornamental Wood Ties hardware category. OZCO offers structural fasteners and connectors across 14 product lines for use in decks, benches, fences, gates, gardens, pergolas, planters, posts and other general construction needs. With over 200 SKU’s and 23 U.S. patents, OZCO serves retail DIY customers and building professionals through a distribution network reaching over 1,000 stores and hundreds of independent dealers, as well as direct-to-consumers through e-commerce channels. Over the past 17 years, OZCO has developed many long standing customer relationships and an unrivaled reputation for best-in-class customer service, which together with its geographic footprint, proprietary brands, supply chain, product mix, and local leadership positions, fit squarely into Hillman’s deeply embedded network of strategic partnerships with omni-channel retailers. OZCO will operate as part of Hillman’s Hardware Solutions business. Ian Hill, Founder & General Manager of OZCO, will continue on with Hillman as a key member of the senior leadership team.

Doug Cahill, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Hillman stated, “We are thrilled to welcome Ian and the OZCO team to our growing Hillman family. This transaction is another great example of how we are creating value through strategically and financially accretive M&A. We will continue to pursue M&A, while maintaining our desired public company credit profile, and our organic growth initiatives to capitalize on industry tailwinds from enduring at home living trends and related strength in the repair and remodel market where we are a leading player.” Mr. Cahill continued, “Ian and his team are master innovators, with over 70% of OZCO product sales covered by patents. We are excited to leverage OZCO’s innovation and creativity across our much larger sales and distribution platform to further propel its growth and profitability while extending Hillman’s competitive moat to the attractive outdoor product category.”