Harris Williams & Co., a preeminent middle market investment bank focused on the advisory needs of clients worldwide, announces that Cari-All Group Inc. (Cari-All), a leading manufacturer and distributor of retail shopping carts, shelving systems, and backroom storage equipment has been acquired by international strategic buyer Wanzl Metallwarenfabrik GmbH (Wanzl). Cari-All was a portfolio company of OMERS Private Equity and the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec. The transaction closed on January 17, 2012 and was led from the firm's Boston office. Harris Williams & Co. acted as the exclusive advisor to Cari-All and its shareholders.

"Cari-All is the leader in the retail cart market and represents a tremendous platform for Wanzl to extend its strong position in Europe into the attractive North American market," said Bill Roman, a managing director at Harris Williams & Co. "This transaction really highlights the high level of activity that we are witnessing from strategic buyers and, in particular, international buyers."

Cari-All is the leading provider of shopping carts to retailers in North America. The company offers a broad product line of small, medium, and large shopping cart designs, constructed of wire, plastic, and hybrid materials. In addition to its core shopping cart products, Cari-All also offers an array of shelving systems, display racks, and other container products. Cari-All serves over 850 retail customers in North America.

Operating under the OMERS Worldwide brand, OMERS Private Equity today manages the private equity activities of OMERS and has over $5.5 billion of investments under management. The group's investment strategy includes the active ownership of businesses in North America and Europe. OMERS Private Equity is headquartered in Toronto, Canada, with offices in New York and London.

Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec is a financial institution that manages institutional funds, primarily from public and private pension and insurance funds in Québec. Through its size and activities, the Caisse is a global investor and one of the largest institutional fund managers in Canada and North America as a whole. As of December 31, 2010, Caisse held $151.7 billion in net assets.

Wanzl, a 100% family owned company, is headquartered in Leipheim Germany. Wanzl is the world's largest manufacturer of shopping carts and other retail systems. Each year, around two million units, in a variety of models, are produced and sold. For decades, the company has continued to develop landmark products for comfortable shopping and selling that have set new standards worldwide. Today, Wanzl has over 4,000 employees in seven production facilities - in Germany, England, France, the Czech Republic and China. Local branches and agencies ensure the company's close proximity to customers, a goal Wanzl has strived to meet since its founding.

Harris Williams & Co. (www.harriswilliams.com), a member of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE:PNC), is a preeminent middle market investment bank focused on the advisory needs of clients worldwide. The firm has deep industry knowledge, global transaction expertise, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Harris Williams & Co. provides sell side and acquisition advisory, restructuring advisory, board advisory, private placements, and capital markets advisory services.

Investment banking services are provided by Harris Williams LLC, a registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA and SIPC, and Harris Williams & Co. Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Harris Williams & Co. is a trade name under which Harris Williams LLC and Harris Williams & Co. Ltd conduct business in the U.S. and Europe, respectively.

For general release inquiries, please contact Kimberly Baker, marketing director, at +1 (804) 648-0072.

Harris Williams & Co.
Kimberly Baker, +1 804-648-0072