Chicago, Illinois October 30, 2002 -- Billow Butler & Company, L.L.C. announced the closing of another transaction in the custom injection molding industry. Freedom Plastics, L.L.C., an indirect subsidiary of B-G Western, Inc., headquartered in Joliet, Illinois was acquired by H.I.G. Holding, Inc., an affiliate of Merchants Capital Corporation of Chicago, Illinois.

Freedom Plastics is a custom injection molder primarily serving the appliance industry, with plants in Joliet and Sheffield, Illinois. H.I.G. Holding, Inc. is a holding company established to acquire Freedom plastics by a group of financial investors.

Billow Butler & Company, L.L.C. is a boutique investment bank specializing in the sale of businesses valued from $5 million to $75 million. With 3 managing directors, Billow Butler & Company advises on transactions involving family businesses, private equity firms and public companies. The plastics industry is one of Billow Butler & Company's specialty areas, having provided transactional advice to the owners of more than 30 plastics companies, ranging from injection molding, blow molding, rotational molding, thermoforming, mold making, and equipment manufacturers. For further information, contact Darrell M. Butler at (312) 559-1904.