CONYERS, Ga. - Hill Phoenix Inc., a Dover Co., announced that it has acquired Barker Co. Ltd. and its sister company, Barker Sales and Service Inc. Barker, based in Keosauqua, Iowa, is a designer and manufacturer of specialty merchandisers for supermarkets, convenience stores, and food service locations. Financial terms of the transaction were not released.

Under the terms of the transaction, the Barker organization, including its leadership team, will become part of the Hill Phoenix Specialty Products Division.

“The depth, skills, and desire of the Barker leadership team and their top managers to lead the company to new levels of excellence post acquisition were a critical part of our assessment of this opportunity,” said Bill Johnson, Hill Phoenix president and CEO.

“Our long-standing efforts to provide Hill Phoenix customers with answers that help them sell more products, more profitably, more responsibly are greatly enhanced by the addition of the entire Barker organization,” said Johnson. “The acquisition significantly expands the Hill Phoenix presence in the rapidly growing and strategically important specialty merchandiser segment.”

“This acquisition combines Barker’s innovative design capabilities and broad specialty product line with the impressive technology, product engineering, and performance of Hill Phoenix,” said Pat McMahon, president, Barker Co. “Their recent introduction of industry-leading display case energy technology and their long-standing focus on environmentally friendly refrigeration systems position Hill Phoenix as uniquely qualified to have a significant impact on current and future Barker products, particularly as the 2012 energy mandates approach. Our customers will benefit as we combine the energy expertise and proprietary technology that Hill Phoenix offers with Barker’s innovative style and design in merchandising.”

Hill Phoenix will continue to operate the manufacturing facilities in Keosauqua and Centerville, Iowa. “We look forward to continuing the long standing relationships Barker has enjoyed in these communities. The skilled workforce and flexible manufacturing processes are an integral part of our future success,” stated Johnson.

For more information, visit www.hillphoenix.com.

Publication date: 11/23/2009