CHICAGO, IL, March 5, 2014 – Mesirow Financial acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Tufco Technologies, Inc. ("Tufco" or the "Company") in its sale to Griffin Holdings, LLC (“Griffin”), a Los Angeles-based private equity firm focused on the consumer sector.

Founded in 1992, Tufco is a leading provider of contract manufacturing, specialty printing services and supplier of value-added custom paper products. The Company markets its products and services through two distinct divisions: contract manufacturing and business imaging. The contract manufacturing division, based in Green Bay, Wisconsin, provides wet and dry wipe converting, wide-web flexographic printing, hot melt adhesive laminating, formulation development and integrated downstream packaging services primarily for consumer product companies. The business imaging division, based in Newton, North Carolina, offers ATM and point-of-sale rolls, custom business forms, printed products, security products, restaurant supplies and wide format products.

Jim Robinson, Tufco's President and CEO and member of its board of directors, said, "This transaction provided Tufco's stockholders certainty of value and liquidity, immediately upon closing. Tufco's board of directors arrived at the decision to enter into a transaction with Griffin after a thorough review of Tufco's strategic alternatives, which included contacting numerous strategic parties and financial sponsors, as part of an extensive competitive bidding process. We believe that Griffin clearly understands our markets and that this transaction will allow Tufco to continue to focus on delivering high-quality products and services to our customers. We look forward to the next phase of our Company."

Rick Weil, managing director of Mesirow Financial's Investment Banking group, stated, "Mesirow Financial was honored to represent Tufco in this process. Based on the solid financial performance that the senior management team delivered at Tufco, Mesirow Financial was able to create a highly competitive process that provided an attractive valuation for the stockholders. Mesirow Financial’s strong experience and relationships within the specialty converting and printing sectors allowed us to pair Tufco with a knowledgeable financial partner that is committed to furthering the Company’s long-term growth objectives.”

About Griffin Holdings, LLC
Griffin Holdings, LLC is a diversified private equity firm investing in buyouts of growth-oriented middle-market companies in the United States. Griffin seeks to invest in well-positioned companies within the $2.5 trillion consumer sector. Griffin’s objective is to provide its portfolio companies with a unique mix of financial, operational and strategic guidance to create long-term investment value. For more information, please visit griffinhld.com.

Nothing contained herein constitutes an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy an interest in any Mesirow investment vehicle(s). Mesirow Financial, Inc. is not affiliated with Tufco Technologies, Inc., Griffin Holdings, LLC, or their affiliates. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Mesirow refers to Mesirow Financial Holdings, Inc. and its divisions, subsidiaries and affiliates. Securities offered through Mesirow Financial, Inc. member FINRA, SIPC.