Stamford, CT, February 12, 2021: TrueNorth Capital Partners LLC is pleased to announce that its wholly-owned subsidiary, TNCP, LLC (“TrueNorth”) acted as exclusive financial advisor to Showa Denko K.K. and its subsidiary Showa Denko Carbon, Inc. (collectively “SDK”) on its acquisition of 50% ownership in AMI Automation (“AMI”). SDK has an option to acquire the remaining 50% ownership in AMI within five years.

AMI provides fully integrated automation and control solutions to a wide range of industries. AMI, through its Meltshop Solutions division, provides electrode regulation systems and electric arc furnace (“EAF”) optimization services to improve operating efficiencies, while its Industrial Systems division is an automation and control solution provider for a wide range of industries around the world. AMI’s electrode regulation systems are used to produce almost 90% of EAF steel in North America.

SDK is focused to improve EAF steelmaking quality and efficiency by providing customized high quality graphite electrodes to customers around the world. In collaboration with AMI’s Meltshop Solutions division’s EAF optimization services, SDK will continue to advance graphite electrode performance and provide more solution-based services that will improve EAF steelmaking efficiency, energy conservation, and greenhouse gas reduction. In addition, by utilizing AMI’s Industrial Systems division’s capabilities in SDK’s production process, SDK expects more efficient graphite electrode production. SDK’s goal is to provide sustainable value to customers’ businesses and strengthen the position as a global leader in the graphite electrode industry. By applying AMI’s automation and control technologies to SDK’s wide range of business and production processes, including the graphite electrode business, this acquisition will benefit both companies and expand their global presence.

Tsuyoshi (Yoshi) Togo, Managing Director at TrueNorth acted as Lead Banker on this transaction, assisted by Fred Rossetti, Managing Director and Connor Bozzo, Associate. Any further inquiries can be directed to TrueNorth at the contact information provided below:

Yoshi Togo, Managing Director
Direct Dial Phone Number: (203) 817-0284
E-mail address: ttogo@truenorthcp.com

Fred Rossetti, Managing Director
Direct Dial Phone Number: (203) 817-0276
E-mail address: frossetti@truenorthcp.com

ABOUT SHOWA DENKO K. K.:
SDK is one of Japan’s leading producers of chemicals and industrial materials. The company’s sectors include petrochemicals, aluminum, electronics, chemicals, and inorganic materials. SDK’s Carbon Division is the world’s largest supplier of ultra-high-powered graphite electrodes and offers a full complement of graphite electrode sizes and value-added technical services. SDK has more than 180 subsidiaries and affiliates around the world. The company was founded in 1939 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.

ABOUT AMI AUTOMATION:
AMI is an international automation and control solutions company with a focus on designing, manufacturing, and implementing innovative technology solutions to provide process improvements that help make companies more efficient. AMI combines over 30 years of experience with automation and controls including artificial intelligence to assist customers with the challenges of implementing and upgrading to new technology solutions. Industries served include Steel, Cement, Pulp and Paper, and Oil and Gas. AMI has more than 30 years of experience making Electric Arc Furnaces and Drive Systems perform better.

ABOUT TRUENORTH CAPITAL PARTNERS LLC:
TrueNorth provides advisory services to companies seeking advice for middle-market M&A and financing transactions. With offices in Stamford, CT, Charleston, SC, Central, NJ, Naples, FL, Minneapolis, MN, Kansas City, KS, and London, UK, TrueNorth is a boutique investment bank comprised of senior bankers providing a full complement of financial advisory services. Our focus on the middle-market, combined with our strong cross-border M&A advisory capabilities, enables us to provide independent, value-added advisory services to privately held middle-market companies, private equity and family office groups and corporate clients, both domestic and international, across a broad range of industries. TrueNorth conducts its securities related business through its wholly owned subsidiary, TNCP, LLC, member FINRA/SIPC.

ABOUT SCOUT VALUATIONS LLC:
Scout Valuations, a wholly-owned subsidiary of TrueNorth, is fully dedicated to business valuation. We provide thorough, independent valuation analyses together with superior client service and responsiveness. Our analyses combine a detailed understanding of the business, industry, and economic context, with the insight to address complex valuation issues regarding your business.